Newbie Here - Am I Crazy???

Hi All,
My name is Amy and I'm new here.  I have an appointment with my Doctor in New Jersey next Saturday.  I desperately want to have an RNY - My brother did and is living a fabulous new life.

BUT - Am I crazy to do this at age 55?  Is there any extra danger in the surgery because I'm older?   I'd LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your input and stories to help me understand why it's okay. 

And by the way, I really enjoy reading all your posts...you all seem like such a fun bunch!!!
Amy

Hi Amy

If you've been reading the posts here, then you have been reading posts from a wonderful group of people over 50 years old who have had surgery and are living new lives!

Doncha just love it when it's a no-brainer!

Really, it's a personal decision for you.... but there are sure a lot of folks who have literally saved their lives by having the surgery.... I am one.

Welcome to OFF, Amy. We are so glad that you are here and decided to join us. We love to have new people become a member of our family.

I was 53 when I had my surgery on 10/8/07. I wished in the beginning that I had done it earlier but then someone pointed out to me that I wasn't ready for it until it happened. I know they were right and I have enjoyed every day since I had it. It only gets better and better. 
 
I have lost almost a hundred pounds and I feel like a totally different person. Maybe since I am a different person. lol I weighed myself this morning and I have .8 pounds left to lose before I am an offical member of the century club. I would have never been able to do this on my own. I can do things that I never thought that I would do again and I enjoy every day now. I was dreading life as I knew it then. Everything was an effort. Of course at 291 pounds that is a good reason to have things be an effort.

I know that you will enjoy your life so much more after surgery. Your whole outlook on things change. When I heard that before I thought "Yeah right." and now have found out that it is the truth. Your outlook on things around you change but the most fantastic things happen because the outlook you have about yourself changes and it comes across by the way that you relate to others, change the negative things in your life into positives and even better the way that you think of yourself changes. You think of yourself as a worthwhile person. Someone worthy of being treated as an equal and not a second class citizen. Just when you think that things are as good as they can get it just gets even better.

Again, welcome to OFF and please post often so we can get to know you and you can get to know us. Just remember there is no stupid questions so make sure you ask all you want to. There is always someone on here with an answer. We love to laugh, cry, share, vent and love here. You are more than welcome to join us in all of it.

Amy,
I am 54 (2 months until 55) I had a smooth surgery last Thursday. My surgeon said ot all depends on several things. Attitude, co-morbidities, etc. I feel great, although a little tired, and look forward to a long an HEALTHY life.
Blessings!

Oh good grief girl you are just a kid. I was 65 when i had surgery im 67 almost 68 now and i feel wonderful , never had a minutes trouble out of the surgery sure wish i could have had it done at 55 life would have been so much different for me  but didnt so am making up for lost time. I do about anything i think of that i want to do and love life now, before i spent all my days sitting watching out the window and watching tv. what a way to die.
go for it you wont be disappointed and at 55 you will find out how young you really are. lol

Actually, I FEEL like a kid!  LOL!!! 
I'm really happy for you and wish you continued good health!

I think it's going to be fun!

I had my RNY two years ago + when I was 59, within 3 months of being 60. I had no problems. I researched and found the best surgeon I could within my area. I attend 3 support meetings per month, as I feel I learn new things at every meeting, and enjoy helping other recent RNY patients.  There are others in these groups older than I.  We had a plastic surgeon speak to our group. He had a slide presentation of the surgical procedures, and one patient was 75 at the time of her plastic surgery--having her RNY a couple of years before. DAVE

Welcome, Amy,

I was 55 (almost 56) when I had my surgery this past June.  I'm doing fine.  I trusted my doctor very much and just knew this was the right thing for me.  My weightloss has been slow but I feel so much better already!

Read, ask questions, learn all you can before you decide.  Always best to make an "informed" decision in anything we do!

Kathi

Hi Amy, Welcome to the OF Forum. There are truly wonderful helpful people here. I am 52 and hoping to have all my ducks lined up to have RNY surgery in November.  I recently meet some of these wonderful people from this forum and I asked them all the same question: "Would you do the surgery again if you  had to"   Everyone of them said absolutely, no doubt, wished they had done it sooner. Even the couple people who had some complications said the same thing. That their lives & health have changed so much for the better.  Good luck to you and welcome!  Paulette 

Amy, You have sure found the right place. I love the Over Fifty Forum especially but the whole OH site is an invaluable place to learn, ask questions, and receive support. I was a "junky" for almost a year before surgery. Not so much now, as I'm, busy, busy, busy, living life! I spent hours looking at before/after pics, reading profiles, etc.  Welcome!