What age-related issues regarding surgery if any?

Hi all,
This is for anyone who has had RNY or DS surgery. This is my first time posting on the over 50 board. I am 60 and today had my surgeon consult with the big K  HMO  at Richmond Facility. The surgeon brought up the issue of my age as a strike against me having an easy time of it and a successful recovery.
How much of an impact will this really have, based on all your experiences? I  have a BMI of 43, type II diabetes for 11 years, well controlled w/metformin, my medications for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides are all doing a good job. My current main health complaints are mobility/pain related. I will be having a consult with an out-of-network surgeon also as I'm also considering pursuing (DS) surgery not offered by my HMO. 
What I'd like to hear from you guys is any anecdotal evidence that might ease my worries or raise a red flag. I'd also love to hear from anyone out there who is more than 5 years post-op and over age 60.

I 

 Hi, Thank You for posting your question, I plan to watch the forum for the replys. I am 66 and plan to have RNY in January. I was not told any problems that could result in my age. I do know however that the older I am, I will have less of a result. Not the weight, but the loose skin, turkey neck etc.
I have been worried about  the implications also. So I will watch the answers you get, with great interest! Lola

Sorry - hi-jack

Hi Lola - where are you going to have your surgery?? I am booked for April 1 -same concerns as everyone else re age - how much we will lose and skin issues - I know I will have lots of skin issues!

Barb

 Lola,
I was thinking more about serious complications or really slow healing than less weight loss and looser skin. I really fear plastic surgery because I don't heal incisions well (keloids) and had a shoulder replacement and can't imagine trying to get into a compression garment!
I will be thinking of you on my son's 40th birthday..the day your surgery is scheduled for.

Hey there Judy.....I am not 5 years out from surgery but I am 66 years old and had Lap RNY November 19th.  I am doing great.  I had a BMI of 42.1, 5 '7'' tall, I am on B/P medicine, no diabetes, no cholesterol/triglyceride meds but have arthritis and what I thought was fibromylagia but have not had any symptoms of that since ths surgery.  I am tolerating the protein supplements, viatamins, water, water and more water and the soft foods phase that I am in right now.  In two days I will see my surgeon for my 3 week checkup.  According to my scales, I have lost a total of 29.8 pounds.  My surgeon did not bat an eyelash and did NOT tell me I was a risk at my age.
I wish I had done this sooner.  I have been thin, fat, thin, fat, obese and then the morbid obese thing made me want to do something.  I can walk better, I feel much better all ready.
I hope you get more answers from others 60 and over.  That's not old!!!  We got a lot of living yet to do girl!!

Sandy

Hey I heard that 60 is the new 45. Isn't it?

I'm 64.  11/23/04 was my surgery date and I was 60.  My heaviest was 282, 249.5 at surgery, 152 today.  I turned 64 in September and had a lower body lift October 30, 2008.  I feel great.  I had open RNY.

Janet

 Hello Again Bird!
I will have the surgery in Traverse City Michigan at the Munson Medical Center. I have finished all my testing...and there was a lot more of it than some go through. Colonostopy, throat scope, EkG, 
echo, leg dopplor, my carrotoid arteries, sleep apena, phyce (spelled wrong) you will know what I mean, just to name a few. I am worried but more excited than scared. My surgeon in Traverse City thought I would be a good candidate, for the surgery. I go for my Pre-op test Jan.7/09 and surgery is booked for Jan. 23/09. I have booked my room as they want you to stay there a week, or until they remove the tube. I have been quite secretive about the whole deal as my family would think "what a crazy lady"...not necessary, but I am the one carring another mini-me around all day.
I wish you all the best and will watch for the golf lady here. I don't know how to do avatar,  so I just wing it! Good Luck in your explorations of the surgery. I too play golf but for the past summer felt too 
big and got tired. Usually rented the cart. Maybe by next summer I will be back on the links again.
Hope you are too. Lola

i was 65 when i had surgery weighed 272 at my highest am 5 foot 3 inches short lol...was wearing size 24s now wear size10s

i do have some loose skin any body does no matter what their age. my sister who is younger than me startexercising really hard before surgery and goes daily for about 1 to 2 hours , she still has loose skin but is better than mine dont know if it all was because of exercise or age.

i feel great, im not 5 years out but had surgery in August o6 and havent had a minutes worth of trouble.  My surgeon said he would rather operate on over 65 because they follow directions better lol

i wish i could lose just a few more pounds so i could wear size 8 but if 10s is all i can do that is great too.  hope you have a great surgery and keep comeing back so other can get to know you.

Judy...I am just popping in to say WELCOME to OFF!!!!!


Hugs....connie d