Chronic health issues, surgery over 50

Laya
on 11/1/08 9:27 am - Northern, CA

DS on 04/17/13

Hi everyone. I'm Laya and am new to this board. I've been spending my time on the VSG board and little time at RNY. I just found out about OFF when someone had mentioned it in their post on another board. The RNY and VSG boards are great with really good people on them. IIt is really nice to have found a board with people that may have insight into other issues that we don't encounter when we are 20-40 yrs old.

I'm scheduled for surgery on Nov. 14. It will either be a Lap RNY or Lap VSG. My surgeon says that since I carry all my weight in the middle, he will not know until surgery if he can perform a Lap RNY on me safely and that VSG would be the other way to go. Open was not an option.

I've had various type surgeries through the years (back, etc.) but I'm feeling quite nervous (but positive) this time around. I have not felt like this with any of the other surgeries I've had. I guess I'm figuring I'm older now, 51, and have had type 2 diabetes since I was 17, high blood pressure since and have discovered this year a preety serious case of sleep apnea. While I've gone through all the extensive medical tests required, and everything checks out ok, I'm still nervous. Has anyone else had WLS that is over 50 with long time chronic illnesses?

Thanks for listening to me ramble on. I'm glad I found you all.

Laya

Nancy H.
on 11/1/08 9:40 am - Traverse City, MI

RNY on 10/05/05

Welcome Laya, I can't answer your question, But I can say
glad you are here! Someone here will be able to help I am sure.
Nan

Laya
on 11/1/08 2:35 pm - Northern, CA

DS on 04/17/13

Thanks for the welcome Nancy.

Connie D.
on 11/1/08 9:40 am

RNY on 08/29/07

Welcome to the wonderful world of OFF!!!!

Since my surgery I no longer have high blood pressure, acid refux and I am no longer diabetic...wooohooooo!!!
I also have COPD and asthma...that has improved considerably as well. My arthritis and fibromyalgia was so bad I was almost wheel chair bound. Now I can run up and down my stairs, walk for miles, dance the night away and feel just great!! My knees hurt so bad I was just miserable all the time. They are all but healed. I occasionally have pain but nothing like it was before WLS.

Congrats on your date and deciding to make your like healthier and fuller!!

Hugs, connie d

Laya
on 11/1/08 2:41 pm - Northern, CA

DS on 04/17/13

Hi Connie. Congratulations on your great success! It's very encouraging to hear how much happier and healthier you are since having your RNY.

Laya

MARCIAM
on 11/1/08 11:19 am - Sayville, NY

RNY on 09/22/08

Hi Laya! Welcome to OFF!
I recently had my lapband removed due to complications and a revision to RNY. I turned 60 years old 2 weeks after my RNY. I had type 2 diabetes but I stopped needing any meds for diabetes in the hospital right after my surgery. My doctor said that RNY turns off diabetes. I still test my blood but it never goes above 110 and is usually just 100-105. I have high blood pressure, asthma and arthritis. I hope that losing weight will help these conditions as well.

I am 9 years older than you and I think that I finally did the smartest thing I ever did! Good luck to you! I know that VSG is a good choice too but your best shot at getting rid of diabetes is with the RNY.
Marcia

Marcia 297/169 so far/140
RNY on 9/22/08
My life is starting over & yours can too!

Laya
on 11/1/08 2:54 pm - Northern, CA

DS on 04/17/13

Hi Marcia. That's great that you stopped needing meds for diabetes so soon after your surgery. I am not counting on my diabetes going away completely because I got it at such a young age and have had it so long. I do know it can get much better than it is now. I'm so insulin resistant I've had it so long, I feel the changes in my body that it has caused. I've lost a lot of weight twice on my own but never made it down to a goal weight and always gained it back plus more. My diabetes and high blood pressure where much better both times when I had lost the weight. I've come to the conclusion that I can not go on one more diet. Constantly battling the added hunger that all the insulin I take causes me (very insulin resistant), it is apparent to my doctors and myself that I need a tool that will help with weight loss, somthing other than a diet alone.

My surgeon says because I hold all my weight in the middle he may not be able to do the RNY. My insurance company ok'd the RNY but I'm still waiting on VSG approval. My nerves are on edge waiting for the approval and also knowing my surgery date is just around the corner. What I do know is that I do not want to come out of the hospital without having had one or the other surgery.

Will keep you all posted.

Laya

SenidM
on 11/1/08 11:40 am - Williston, ND

RNY on 11/19/08

Hi Laya....What a pretty name. Welcome to this forum. I lurked the other forums too before I found this one. You are one of those "Young Chicks"....I am 65 going on 66 on Nov. 15 and scheduled for Lap RNY Nov. 19th
Congratulations and Good Luck on your upcoming "gift". That is how I feel it is...A gift.
I have been thin, fat, thin and fat, fatter and then obese and finally hit the morbidly obese classification. I like so many others have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, arthritis, fibromylagia and was always told by my PCP:
"Sandy, you have to get this weight off" and after doing WW, Nutrisystems, and ooooooodles and ooooooodles of similar diets, would lose, gain and then shattered my knee 4 years ago and wasn't able to walk let alone exercise for quite some time....the weight kept piling on and of course food was my friend and I thought was the cure all of everything negative in my life OR the reward for all the GOOD things happening in my life. You know the drill !!
I finally took the bull by the horns and decided to make this change in my life because I wanted my life back again. My mind is young but I mistreated my body with all the excess food and bad eating habits so now I want the body to match the mind....and doggone it, I'm close to realizing that dream as are you by taking Your bull by the horn and doing this great thing for yourself.
Please keep us informed of how you are doing.

An OFF friend,     ("OFF" doesn't mean we are
                      a little tetched, so
                         don't worry..LOL)

Sandy

Laya
on 11/1/08 3:05 pm - Northern, CA

DS on 04/17/13

Hi Sandy. Happy Birthday to you on the 15th! Your surgery date on 11/19 is pretty close to mine on 11/14. I know the thin, fat, obese cycle you described. I can't say I know the "thin" part because I've never been "thin" (maybe when I was 3 years old), but I have lost a lot and gained a lot throughout my years. I'll keep you all informated as to how I'm doing and which surgery my surgeon ended up performing on me. Sandy, please keep us informed about your surgery as well.

Laya

sheri139
on 11/1/08 12:32 pm - Ottawa, Canada

RNY on 11/05/08 with

Welcome to the friendlies board on OF.
I am 58 and have diabetes for 15 years and high blood pressure, fibromilyga, asthma, and arthritis.

I am going for lap RNY on Nov. 5. Hopefully most of my comorbids will either be gone or lesson. Only a few days now til I find out about my new life.

Sheri

RNY

ohcardsmallsheri.gif picture by lynnca1972

Nov 5, 2008

16 pounds lost pre surgery

Chronic health issues, surgery over 50

Our Mission

Follow us

Links

Select Photos

Chronic health issues, surgery over 50