Recovery over 50

First of all "hello" I'm Chevy from Texas (Becky)... I'm 53 and pre-op... I just found out about this over 50 forum today.

I was wondering if ya'll think being over 50 is a major factor in the recovery time?

How do you think it affected you?

Thanks, Chevy in Texas

Welcome Becky !  You have just stumbled onto the best board... very warm, generous people here who have lots of support and information....

I am 54 and I would say that I have bounced back without any problem. I went back to work one week after surgery... I work in the ER at a small hospital - the first day I only did 1/2 of a shift, but went right back the next day for my regular 12 hours.  I decided on the band, so that is my experience.

Hope to see you often and get to know you.

Shelia

Hi Chevy, Welcome to the Over Fifty Forum.  I had my surgery almost seven months ago and I am 56.  I went back to work in 2 1/2 weeks.  I have a desk job so it is not strenuous work.  I did what they told me and I've had no complications.  I think the weight is coming off nicely, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.  I am much more active and have tons more energy.  I go to the gym 5 times a week to help me get stronger and not lose muscle mass any more than I have to.  I've eaten what and when I'm suppose to, so you could say that I've followed the rules of the pouch.  I love my RNY, it's given me my life back, and I'm grateful everyday.

Hi Sheila and AzReggie... So nice to meet you both. Thank you for sharing with me your experiences.

I can only pray my surgery will go as well as ya'll's...

Hugs to you both! Chevy in Texas

Hey Chevy gal....
Chevy was my car of choice when I was a younger lady...
(20's)....I had a brand new 63 Chevy Convertible, white with red interior, and a Chevy Corvette Stingray.....Oh how I loved the Corvette, but my ex wrecked it so I didn't have it very long....

Anyway, I had RNY at age 68 1/2 and was back to my desk job in 2 1/2 weeks.  Had absolutely no problems
with the surgery or recovery.   Felt tired some and took a lot of naps, but other than that I felt great.  I'm 14 mos out and have lost almost 90 lbs from pre-surgery wt. and over 100 from my highest ever wt.  I no longer have diabetes or high blood pressure and have increased my life expectancy by 20 yrs.  Would I do it again -- OMG YES, in a heartbeat!!!

Hugs and best of luck - let us know when your surgery is.

Pat R.

Not for me.  I felt awesome by the 3rd day after surgery and back to work in less than 2 weeks.  I also had very little pain.  It was all positive!

Hi Pat... Thank you for letting me know about your recovery. I am so excited about having surgery. I don't know how long it is going to take but I'm doing everything I can possibly do to help my doc to get my insurance to pay for it... Keeping my fingers crossed~

OMG you had a vette!! You go girl! I soooo love vette's. Chevy's are indeed the best!

Big Hugs, Chevy in Texas (Becky)

No, it's not a factor. I took off three weeks from work and other than a minor infection in an incision, I was fine. In fact, until I had that infection, I was really feeling good and kinda bored at home ... then the antibiotics made me sick. I have lost 180 pounds, but it took me three years to do that ... but that's OK, because I feel it stay off since it took me longer to lose it (and I fight to keep it off now ... my mother's voice is in the back of my mind saying, "You're going to gain it all back."

Welcome to the board ... it's a great group.

I'm 54 and had Lap RNY 7 weeks ago.  They had some trouble getting my new "system" not to leak, so my surgery took 6 hours and I ended up in the hospital for 3 nights. The first week was pure hell, but my progress after that was really speedy.  I've lost 40 lbs. so far, and I feel great.  My pouch healed really fast - and I've never "dumped" or thrown up.  I was back  to work and back in my exercise class 5 weeks after surgery, but I could have gone back to work sooner.  I thought the weight loss would age my appearance, but it's done the opposite.  It's put the bounce back in my step, and the twinkle back in my eye! 

Hello Laura and Eileen.... nice to meet you both!

Thank you for sharing your recoveries with me. I am so thankful for all the information I am picking up in the forums... it's a godsend for sure~

Hugs, Chevy in Texas