28 More Days and Now I am REALLY Scared! TOO OLD??

Mary,
Your fears and anxiety are very common.

The good far out weighs the bad. I had WLS almost 2 years ago at age 59. At the time I wasn't workng so I can't tell you how long you might be out.

I have only vomited two times. The first time was from eating way too fast, not chewing well enough and it cured me real fast.

The second time was a year after surgery when I decided to have my first 3 bites of a chocolate chip cookie. First and LAST too!!!

I can eat any type of meat, fruits and veggies with no problems. I choose not to eat breads, rice, potatoes or pasta. Always protein first.

The energy level is astounding. I jump on a trampoline with my granddaughter. Oh YAY! You will need to recouperate and work up to it gradually, just as with any surgery.

You will notice more postings about problems because people want to know if they are "normal". They don't have many questions as life is enriched and they don't post so much. Too busy enjoying this new life.

I have had a few problems. Without WLS I KNOW the problems would have been far worse.

Yes, I would do it again!!!!!!

Having a decent wardrobe has been a huge challenge. Clothes don't fit for long and are quickly too big. Not such a horrible problem though. You learn to be a good shopper.

Good luck -
Annette

Hi Mary,
It's normal to bounce back & forth between being excited & being scarred.  It's the waiting that I think is the hardest part.   Re: being to OLD?   I don't think that's possible.  Age is just a state of mind isn't it?  If we think we're old, then we are.   If we think we're young, then we are!!!!

I was 61 when I had RNY.  I wan't working at the time, but I think if I had been working, I'd have wanted somewhere between 2-1/2 - 6 weeks off.    I took alot of naps in that first 6 weeks, & I think I'd have been more tired if I hadn't been able to nap.   Re: feeling bad, I never did feel (excep for the initial soreness of surgery).   I am almost 15 months out and have never vomitted and never dumped.   I've eaten a bit too much and had an uncomfortable fullness that lasted as long as 30 minutes, but that's it.    However, that being said,   we are all different --- it's good to have some time to pay attention & really listen to your new pouch.   Getting to know your pouch & reading the signs will help you follow the Doctor's orders & be successful.   

While you're waiting (and afterwards for sure!), stay active on the boards.  There is much support here!  HUGS!!!

Mary....what you are feeling is normal. YOU are not too old...it is all a state of mind. If you weren't in good enough condition you would not have been approved for this surgery. You will be just fine!!

I will see you on the Losers Bench!!!!

Quit reading the negative and focus on the positve. I would do this over tomorrow and not think about it twice!!

Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hugs, connie d

Hi friend! I am 66 and surgery is tomorrow. I WILL REPORT BACK. I prefer to look at positive notes and to keep positive. That means I have to stop reading now and just move along. Hugs and blessings

rosalie...hello ! welcome a-board
i don't remember meeting you yet???

so your surgery is tomnorrow???wow!!!!!!!!! sending prayers and hugs to you as you get ready to join us on the loser's bench!!!

please post more so we can get to know you!!!!!!!!!!

chapstick--take chapstick to the hospital!!!!!!!!

Hi again. I just saw the picture of your Hannah. My cavalier Mac says hi. He is brown and white.a blenheim.

I am 13 days post op and am 56 years old and I have to say that this has been the easiest experience I have had in my life!  From the moment I woke up from the surgery I have felt absolutely wonderful - walked at warp speed around the hospital corridors, have had ZERO pain, no nausea, no problems of any sort at all.  I know I am probably abnormal (I've always been wierd!) but if I have this at 56 then you can feel just fine about having it at 60.  

You know though, I wasn't frightened going in.  I've been raised to believe that there is a fine line between excitement and anxiety and you merely have to take that one step to cross over it.  I did so and I believe that my positive mind set has a LOT to do with how wonderful I feel.  So get excited!  Look through the before and after pics - can there be anything greater than that?

Linda P

I haven't had surgery yet.  Nov 5 is my rebirth day.
I am 58 years old and also felt that I had maybe left it too late but was convinced that this way I will have many more years to enjoy my grandbaby.

Good luck to all of us who are still preop and thanks to all you post ops for sharing your experiences with us, the good, the bad and the ugly.  We need to know all the possibilities and be prepared - just in case.

I feel excited, worried, anxious and feeling that this weight is tooooo long.  All my pre op tests are done and now is just  wait - wait.

RNY in 28 days
Sheri

good grief girl you are a spring chicken i was 65 and so was several others on here. the reason im not on much anymore is becasue im too busy running and living and going.
I have went from a size 24 to a size 8/10 getting to be more 8s. I just bought a new pair of jeans today and they are size 8....yippppeeeee
I had no problems at all i think a lot of it is having a positive attitude and knowing that if anyone else can do it i can too. have always been that way tho lol
you will be best to take at least a week off work, shouldnt be too bad...just rest up and walk and get in all your water and protein that you need to do. there is clear liquid protein called Isopure that you can have on a clear liquid diet....set a timer for every 10 minutes and sip a shot glass full of either protein or water. ....you will be surprised at how much you can get in , in a days time.
im now 67 will be 68 in January. my husband and i ride a gold wing trike everywhere. and camp and go all the time. would i do my surgery again??? every year if i needed too. ....it is that liberating.

Hi Mary
I'm 57 and, by the looks of it, may be 60 by the time that my provincial provider of health insurance gives me the go-ahead!!  They have denied me once, but I have appealed and am awaiting their answer. You are one of many, many people here in their sixties, who have had or are having wls.  Which surgery are you having?  Is it the rny?

I am also a professor of college students.  I recently fell down two steps, face first, while I was teaching in the classroom.  It's hard to explain, but I was in the area where my students were sitting when I was asked a question.  I turned to go to the computer and fell (dove!!)  onto the floor apparently believing that I was on the ground floor.  I came out of it with no broken bones; instead, I have a lot of soft tissue damage.  My students were wonderful and said that I kept teaching as I was lying face down waiting for the ambulance!!  I don't think so.  Anyway, if I can fall in front of 40 sociology students and not feel embarrassed or ashamed (they were wonderful), I think that throwing up or having to sit down won't be so hard!  I wouldn't worry about it.  We are all human and we've all puked in one way or another in front of other people.   Good luck with your journey.  I am really looking forward to mine.  I have 22 essays to mark and a lecture to prepare tonight, so I will say goodbye. 
Margaret
Love the picture of your dog, Hana