Any Over 50 BMI/Over 50 Years Old??

I feel like I can't really get an accurate feeling about this.  My BMI is over 60 and I'm 57 years old.  I'm hopeful, but wondering if my body can really lose that weight!

I'm scheduled for the end of the month, and excited, too.

I am, but can't give any post op experiences. We do have others *****member when ****er spaniels and poodle skirts were stylin' - they should post soon.

 oh yea MAry you can do it. i started at 431 last march lost 27 lbs before surgery. had surgery in October and have lost another 134 lbs. thats a total of  161 and so happy got some skin issues but feel soooooo much better and can do about anything i want at 270. Doctor said he only thinks with my structure i will be able to go down to 225. Good Luck And Remember its 1 day AT A TIME...KATHY

Hi Mary,

I know how you feel.  I was 53 when I had my RNY on 7-9-08 with a BMI of 64.  At my heaviest, it was 67. 

I had some skepticism going in because I could only get down to 350 and stop.  I thought, if I could get under 350, this might work.  Then 340, 330, 320, you get the idea.  I really got excited when I got down under 300.  At 6 months out, I was down to 277, 130 down from my heaviest and 110 from surgery.  At my one year follow up, I weighed 226, 181 down from my heaviest and 160 from surgery.  My BMI went down from 67 at my heaviest to 36. 

Weight loss slows down a lot.  I lost the majority of this weight in the first 6 months.  My surgeon did not require any other diet other than the 3 week liquid diet.  The rest came in the last 6 months.  My weight loss is now in a stairstepping stage--after my 1 year follow up, I didn't lose anything until about 6 weeks later when I dropped 9 pounds.  It is holding steady now again. 

My advice to you--just follow the rules, drink your water, take your vitamins, exercise as much as you can and enjoy the ride.  I just became eligible for my surgeon's 1 year and up support group and there are 2 ladies in there (1 had RNY and 1 had Lap Band) that had their surgery at 60 and 62, respectively and have maintained for 5 and 6 years.  We are not too old.

Best to you and your emotions are going to run high up until the date--I know mine did.  But if I had any regret, it would be that I wish I had been a bit younger but I didn't have the insurance coverage I have now for the surgery.   I think with age we appreciate this gift more because of the struggles we go thru.  I'm not saying that younger people don't but I know with age, I am much more reflective than I was in my younger years. 

Sylvia

When I started dieting in Feb. I was 353lbs with a BMI of 57. I've been dieting ever since and have lost 65lbs. My surgery is on the 15th and I plan to go in at 275lbs.  I KNOW I can do this! I'll be 56 in Jan but I refuse to beleive I can't do something because of a number because I definitely don't feel that age, although my knees and hips will disagree right now!

You can do this, too! We didn't get to this age without being strong. So use that strength to take care of YOU....YOU can do this!

Gosh, Ladies, I have tears in my eyes from reading your responses.  I know I can do - I have the strength to endure all I've had to, and now it's my time to get much healthier.  I sometimes regret not doing it younger, but I really don't know if I'd have done it for the same reasons I'm doing it now.  Now it's a lifestyle change to take me into a healthier, better stage of life. 

  I've had one total knee replacement, but having that done at 400 pounds was really really difficult.  It's still healing (I had it in November 08), but I know I'll have to have the other one.  I want to get rid of the cane I'm still using after that surgery!

It was very, very comforting to hear your stories and wisdom.  I appreciate it!

Good luck Mary.  I'm sure you'll do fine! 

I wish I'd had my knee surgery before RNY like you.

I'm not sure about that!   I'm thinking recovery would be easier with less weight on the knee.

Mary, we can totally do this. We don't have a choice. We are older and wiser and more patient than we used to be. You and I are starting with the same BMI and the same age. We know it won't be easy, but we can't give up.

You have a kind face in your photo. I'll bet you've been thinking about OTHER people a lot in your lifetime. Time to focus on Mary for a while and ask for help if needed. Hopefully your surgical team will be helpful. I like my folks.

Blessings.

Yep.  It is my time.  Don't get me wrong, Ruby, I'm an assertive and feisty one, too.  But I do want to do this to take care of myself.  I need to to that.  The responses on here have truly encouraged me!