Expected Weight Loss

I don't usually post on this forum, but I have a question that I'm hoping the more mature post-ops can help me with. I'm 52 and scheduled to have RNY lap done in 4 weeks. Most of the people that I read about on the Ontario Forum (where I usually hang out) tend to be younger and I don't know if age makes a big difference or not. Did you find that you lost weight slower due to being over the 50 age mark? I'm into menopause now and don't know if that makes any difference either. I've gained and lost weight through diets through the years and have noticed that as I got older, it was harder. Now that I'm looking to surgery to help, I was wondering if my age was going to work against me. I believe that I'll loose - I see that so many of you have done so well - I'm just trying to manage my expectations.

Thanks! Maggie

I was 60 when I had my surgery. Everything went just as expected. I lost  140 pounds by my first anniversary and reached my goal of 150 pounds  goal weight shortly after that.  I have had no problems maintaining and have just recently decided to lose the last few pounds.  Just be sure to follow your doctors orders to the letter.  Don't overthink the program.  If you have a question call the office and ask.  Nothing is to silly of a question. You will be just fine.  Best of luck to you.

WOW - 140 lbs in 1 year!!! I hope I can do that! I'll do my best to follow doctor's orders. I have found in the past that it does work the best. Good luck to you as well.
Maggie

Hi Maggie, And welcome to the best forum ever!  I will be turning 56 at the 31st of this month,( Me and Harry Potter share the same b'day) and I just had my surgery in April. I have been past menopause for a while(I take a little happy pill everyday, and nobody dies) I think I've done pretty well with this surgery.  I only had one complication which was puking in the hospital, they had to keep me for an extra day to restore potassium levels.  but that's been it.  I've follow the plan to the enth degree and haven't had any prolems since. I believe compliance is the key to success.  I went back to work after 2 and a half weks. I have a desk job so it was no problem.  I was a little tired when I got home and fell asleep in the recliner. Was off the pain meds after the first week. I've had some problems getting started and keeping up with a exercise program.  I swim three times a week and have been getting a rotten cold so that throws a monkey wrench in the works, but I'm going today after work. I love my RNY, its the best thing I've ever done for my health and well being.

I was 51 when I had the surgery and I'm thinking that I lost as fast as the younger women in some cases.  It, I think, depends upon how well you follow the doctor's orders and walking.  When I don't walk, I don't lose but a pound or two.  When I walk, I can drop five pounds a week; well, not so much anymore since I am the goal the doctor set for me, but it's really up to you how well you do. 

I was 49 when I had my surgery four years ago; it took me three years to lose 180 pounds. I'm probably not as active as some of the other folks because of my knees and back, although when I started out I was swimming more, then even that bothered my back (go figure). Also, I was perimenopausal when I started and was forced to go off my hormonal meds pre-op, got back on them post-op when the hot flashes resurfaced at one year out. I did notice that because I lost at a slower rate than others, I don't seem to have as much skin hanging (well, I have some, but it's well hidden by clothes). I do believe that age works against in some ways, but then experience helps us in others, as does our wisdom (we've been through this so many times).

Welcome to our forum...it is the greatest. I had my WLs when I was 65 and I have lost about 100 pounds, but then I am a very bad person. I don't follow the doctors orders ..so I don't get the same kind of results as others, but I am happy and my body seems to be happy. I have since my surgery had both knees replaced and I am super active now and I was an old depressed lady before WLS.....and I no longer have diabetes and I was on over 200 units of insulin a day and had been on insulin for 17 years. My Diabetic doctor told me that without this surgery I would have been dead within 4-5 years....yikes.

So if you are a good girl you will have good results...we all have little problems here and there, but none of us would EVER EVER want to turn back the clock to the conditions we were in prior to surgery.

Good luck and keep us posted...and hang wih us for awhile and you will see what we mean about how great the OFF is.
Marti

Maggie,

I didn't have RNY, but I got my lap-band at age 54 and have had great success.  I started menopause at age 38 (that runs in my family) and have been on HRT since a hysterectomy about 4 yrs ago.  I had diabetes (which can make weight loss harder) and was a total SLUG in terms of exercise when I started this journey (I'm much better about that now).  As far as I can tell, older folks have a BETTER chance at success because we are more compliant with our surgeon's and nutritionist's instructions and usually more motivated by co-morbidities to improve our health.

A dear friend of mine had RNY when she was 53 and has lost a TON of weight and had NO complications or problems.  I hope the same outcome for you...

Jean

Hi and WELCOME to OFF!!

I am older then you are and have done just great. I had my surgery in August 2007 and in about 8 months I was at goal weight. I am a strict follower of doctors orders. I am now below goal and trying to maintain. However I am still losing slowly at this time. I feel better then I can ever remember feeling. I wear size small/medium tops and size 0-3 pants in juniors. I walk, ride bike, exercise, play with my grandchildren and dance the night away!! I feel younger everyday!!

I wish you the best of luck. No, weight loss wasn't slowed down because of my age.

Hope to see more of you here on this board.

Hugs, connie d

Hello Maggie,

The surgeon will provide you with the tool but YOU will have to do the work. If you follow the eating plan, drink your water and exercise - it works.

My surgery was 20 months ago at the ripe old age of 59, weighing 320 pounds. I have followed each rule set by the surgeon and dietician and have lost 207 pounds. This exceeds all of my expectations!!!

Annette