New to this forum, have delicate question
Hi Barb,
Welcome to OFF. I was 57 when I had my surgery in Aug 2008 (I had lapband) and I feel great! I was only in the hospital for about 10 hours and never had any complications. This is something that you are doing for yourself to extend the quantity and quality of your life not for anyone else! Go for it!
Welcome to OFF. I was 57 when I had my surgery in Aug 2008 (I had lapband) and I feel great! I was only in the hospital for about 10 hours and never had any complications. This is something that you are doing for yourself to extend the quantity and quality of your life not for anyone else! Go for it!
Vera LapBand 8/12/2008
Welcome to OFF Barb! I'm glad that you checked out this board.
I got my lapband in 2006 at 57 years old with no problem. I had my gall bladder out this past May at 59. Due to reflux problems I had to have my band out this August at 59. My RNY was on 9/22 two weeks before I turned 60. I feel great and feel healthier every day. I won't tell you that there is no risk to the surgery but I really think that if I could have all of this done in my 50's with out any problems then it isn't that bad.
Good luck to you on your journey to a healthier life!
I got my lapband in 2006 at 57 years old with no problem. I had my gall bladder out this past May at 59. Due to reflux problems I had to have my band out this August at 59. My RNY was on 9/22 two weeks before I turned 60. I feel great and feel healthier every day. I won't tell you that there is no risk to the surgery but I really think that if I could have all of this done in my 50's with out any problems then it isn't that bad.
Good luck to you on your journey to a healthier life!
Don't let your age be a deciding factor. I am 58 and had RNY in Nov. 08. I am now down 50 pounds and am already feeling so much better.
My HBP is resolved and am well on the way to solving my diabetes.
My knees don't hurt as much as I have more energy.
Hugs, welcome and keep questioning as that is how we all learn.
Sheri
My HBP is resolved and am well on the way to solving my diabetes.
My knees don't hurt as much as I have more energy.
Hugs, welcome and keep questioning as that is how we all learn.
Sheri
RNY 
Nov 5, 2008
16 pounds lost pre surgery
Nov 5, 200816 pounds lost pre surgery
Welcome Barb,
Words of wisdom --- I wish I had done this sooner!!!!!!
My surgery was 10/31/06 and I was 59 years old weighing 320 pounds. 10 meds, injections in my knees to walk, all sorts of other physical problems. My life was miserable.
The meds are gone, no more injections in my knees and I spent the entire afternoon RUNNING with two grandchildren. They tired before me (ages 2 & 3years old
). Oh yes, I am 207 pounds lighter now.
Sure, I was full of fears. that is quite normal. But I knew my surgeon wouldn't touch me if I wasn't going to be a success. It took a long time to jump through his hoops, but well worth every one.
Good luck
Annette
Words of wisdom --- I wish I had done this sooner!!!!!!
My surgery was 10/31/06 and I was 59 years old weighing 320 pounds. 10 meds, injections in my knees to walk, all sorts of other physical problems. My life was miserable.
The meds are gone, no more injections in my knees and I spent the entire afternoon RUNNING with two grandchildren. They tired before me (ages 2 & 3years old
). Oh yes, I am 207 pounds lighter now.Sure, I was full of fears. that is quite normal. But I knew my surgeon wouldn't touch me if I wasn't going to be a success. It took a long time to jump through his hoops, but well worth every one.
Good luck
Annette
Annette 
the mortality rate for this surgery is very very low. I don't think your mother is trying to frighten you. It's always a good idea to have your affairs in order prior to any surgery. We do have to be realistic. But realistic also means facing the fact that if you continue being morbidly obese you will probably die at a much younger age than you should. Being realistic also means that within a few months you'll wonder why you didn't do this years ago. You will begin to do things you thought you could never do again. And being realistic means being happier than you've been in a really long time. You will be ok. Everybody is scared right before surgery and questions if they've made the right decision. There are people on this site much older than you that are celebrating life everyday.
Barbara D.
Hi Barb,
I'm a nurse too, and know of whence you speak. Of course we know any procedure or surgery carries risk. Can we die from it? yes. Like you said, we can also walk across the street and drop dead of an MI. We make our best decisions with the facts as we know them at the time. They may not always be the right decisions but we make the best ones we can.
I had my WLS 3 years ago at age 53. Knowing what I know now, I wish I had done it sooner, but I also know I wasn't ready. I had a lot of stuff to go thru first, a divorce, a new house, finding peace in my life at last, finding me again and a few other issues. Remember losing weight will not make us happy. Our same problems are still there be it an unhappy marriage, a bad job, an awful boss what ever. The beauty in weight loss is that many of our physical problems ease off. And we have taken a step towards wellness and being alive. Truthfully to even think about this we have to have the wake up call that we are in deep trouble. I couldn't function or live the life I wanted to live. Thank God, now I can. There comes a point when you KNOW deep in your heart, mind and soul that this is what needs to be done and the peace will come. I was quite calm about a week before surgery. Was I willing to die for the chance to LIVE again? Yes I was. Did I think I was going to die? no. But again, we never know do we? I am so thankful I have had the past 3 years to live again.
Make your best decision Barb based on what you know and feel. No one can tell you it will be a peice of cake. We can tell you our experiences and warm up a seat for you on the losers bench, support you with our thoughts and good wishes and be here for you. If it rests your mind to make your final wishes known to your family do so. If it makes you uncomfortable don't. This is truly all about YOU and your health and LIFE.
Hugs to you! stop back!
I'm a nurse too, and know of whence you speak. Of course we know any procedure or surgery carries risk. Can we die from it? yes. Like you said, we can also walk across the street and drop dead of an MI. We make our best decisions with the facts as we know them at the time. They may not always be the right decisions but we make the best ones we can.
I had my WLS 3 years ago at age 53. Knowing what I know now, I wish I had done it sooner, but I also know I wasn't ready. I had a lot of stuff to go thru first, a divorce, a new house, finding peace in my life at last, finding me again and a few other issues. Remember losing weight will not make us happy. Our same problems are still there be it an unhappy marriage, a bad job, an awful boss what ever. The beauty in weight loss is that many of our physical problems ease off. And we have taken a step towards wellness and being alive. Truthfully to even think about this we have to have the wake up call that we are in deep trouble. I couldn't function or live the life I wanted to live. Thank God, now I can. There comes a point when you KNOW deep in your heart, mind and soul that this is what needs to be done and the peace will come. I was quite calm about a week before surgery. Was I willing to die for the chance to LIVE again? Yes I was. Did I think I was going to die? no. But again, we never know do we? I am so thankful I have had the past 3 years to live again.
Make your best decision Barb based on what you know and feel. No one can tell you it will be a peice of cake. We can tell you our experiences and warm up a seat for you on the losers bench, support you with our thoughts and good wishes and be here for you. If it rests your mind to make your final wishes known to your family do so. If it makes you uncomfortable don't. This is truly all about YOU and your health and LIFE.
Hugs to you! stop back!
Debbie G
Lap RNY 12/12/05
320 highest, 302 consultation, 289 surgery. Total weight loss:165lbs.
Barb,
So, if you needed a hip replacement, or a heart pacemaker, or chemotherapy, to sustain your health, would your mother or family or friends object to that?
At our age, a living will is a good idea (my husband and I took care of that about 10 years ago). I'm so glad my 89-yr-old mom executed a living will before she lost her mind (bless her heart, as we say in the South).
When I told my mom I was having WLS, she was very negative - I realized later that she was afraid I would die during/after surgery and no one would be left to take care of her. So maybe you need to reassure your mom that you will survive this surgery and will be there for her for many years to come.
Jean
So, if you needed a hip replacement, or a heart pacemaker, or chemotherapy, to sustain your health, would your mother or family or friends object to that?
At our age, a living will is a good idea (my husband and I took care of that about 10 years ago). I'm so glad my 89-yr-old mom executed a living will before she lost her mind (bless her heart, as we say in the South).
When I told my mom I was having WLS, she was very negative - I realized later that she was afraid I would die during/after surgery and no one would be left to take care of her. So maybe you need to reassure your mom that you will survive this surgery and will be there for her for many years to come.
Jean
Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com
Welcome Barb,
Looking forward to following your journey. I think it's perfectly natural for your thoughts at this stage with surgery not too far off. I can't add anything new to those who have already posted before me. I was 55 years young when I had my surgery and I remember asking my daughter and best friend if we should just "blow the hospital off and head to Vegas"..... We didn't and I'm so very glad I didn't!
Take care and post away. You'll get lots of support around here.
Kathi
Looking forward to following your journey. I think it's perfectly natural for your thoughts at this stage with surgery not too far off. I can't add anything new to those who have already posted before me. I was 55 years young when I had my surgery and I remember asking my daughter and best friend if we should just "blow the hospital off and head to Vegas"..... We didn't and I'm so very glad I didn't!
Take care and post away. You'll get lots of support around here.
Kathi
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