In early stages of planning and would like information

Hi everyone,

I was given this link as the 50s board - lol

I'm in the very early stages and would like information or a buddy.  I am 56 years old.  My PCP is supporting me on this, and I also found out that I would be a good candidate/covered by insurance.

I have been reading information on the furm in an attempt to educate myself, and I have the informational meeting scheduled Feb 17th.

Can anyone share information with me as to what made you decide to have surgery?  Laparoscopic or open gastric bypass.  Do they do open when they cannot do lap or it is a different procedure entirely? 

How long before you can go back to work, nonstrenuous?

Are you sorry you had the procedure?

Did it change the relationship between you and your husband/significant other?  Were they supportive?

I've been trying for years to get my weight under control, mainly because I wanted to look good/be attractive to my husband (although he finds me attractive at my current weight - not really an issue for me), but now it's a medical issue.  I have diabetes type 2, hypertension, high cholesterol, and general fatigue from being so overweight (230).  I've been in a paid weight group, very popular one for a year now, and did very well in the beginning.  I'm right back to where I started.  If I do not journal and stick strictly with my program, I end up gaining all the weight back (22 pounds) and then some.

Any insight would be extremely helpful for me.  If sharing story on the forum is good for you, it's fine with me; however, if you want to be a personal buddy and take this to e-mail, that's fine with me too.  I really want to gather as much information as I can.

Thank you so much!

First of all....Welcome to OFF!!!!

The best thing you can do is to attend support groups, coffee groups whatever.....get all the info you can.

Another good source of info is to start reading peoples profiles here on OH. Everyone tells their stories...the good ..the bad...the ugly. This is an amzing journey!!!!

I wish you all the best on your journey!!

Hugs....connie d

Hi Rosey, And welcome to OFF (the Over fifty forum) I am 56 and had lap rny in April.  I believe that doing this surgery lap as opposed to open is the easier way to go, six little holes with steri strips is all.  I fly a desk at work and was back at work after 2 and a half weeks.  I was a little tired the first couple of days but that passed quickly. I was 291 lbs when I started this journey, I am 172 lbs now.  Went to the Dr for my yearly check up and was diagnosed diabetic.  I had high blood pressure, high colesterol and degenerative disc disease not to metion the arthritis in my knees.  I was so upset and told my Dr that I knew she was going to think I was crazy, but I was afraid to go on another diet because I lose the weight and then gain it back and more!  Then I asked her about wls and that is what got me started. I feel great now!  No more aches and pains(except when I over due it at the gym) I have alot more energy and am almost off all my meds. Would I do it over?  In a minute. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.  I love my RNY, its changed my life.

Reggie

 Rosey...I agree with Reggie..I had RNY/LAP 8/12/08 and have lost 70lbs as of  6 months. I had diabetes and am off that medicine and had high Cholesterol and am off that RX too. Surgery made life worth living again, and would do it again in a heartbeat     Please let me know if I can help you in your decision
suzette50

WOW, thank you all for the wonderful information you shared.  I really have my mind made up just from the little research I have done, but want to learn so much more before I make a final decision.  I want to be cautious.  I'm having very bad side effects from my medicine and I must do something now for my health and sanity.

I hope we can all chat again in the weeks/months to come.  I can't wait for my informative meeting on Tuesday at 1 p.m.  Woo Hoo! 

Have a great weekend.

Hello Rosey,

Just want to say, welcome to the Over 50 Forum and I think you will find all the firsthand information you want on here in relation to your questions.

I had my RNY in October of 2007, after being on the fence for over 2 years, researching and trying in that time to lose the weight on my own, unsuccessfully, I might add.  I had family members who had done it, all with wonderful results and happy that they had done it, so I knew going into it that it worked, I just was not sure about changing myself and the possible long-term effects, so I watched how they did and finally opted, by going to a seminar in Langhorne, PA at a place that specializes in these procedures and after meeting with the surgeon I started doing all the pre-clearance hoop jumping that the surgeon and insurance companies required, that was May 2007 and I began my new life in mid-October. 

16 Months ago, I could not do much, today I have lots of energy, I can get down on the floor and play with my 3 and 1-1/2 year old grandchildren something I could not do with their cousins, my older two grandchildren.  I am healthier and happier as a result of making this choice, but the choice of which surgery to have is something personal and you will have to do your research and discuss it with your PCP and the surgeon you ulitimately chose to do your surgery.  Whatever you chose, I doubt very much you will regret it!

As far as support, my family was hesitant at first, but they eventually came around, as they ultimately wanted me to be healthy.  I am also very involved in support group and support via this site, there is a wealth of knowledge and wonderful people you will meet as you progress on this journey.

I wish you success and seeing as you live in PA, you might also want to check out the PA forum which is another local support board with lots of friendly folks who have travelled this road and they can possibly point you in the direction of a surgeon.  I live in SWNJ and while the people on the NJ board are friendly, it's not a very active board, so since I had my surgery in PA and live on the borderline, I am also an active member on that board.

Again, best wishes for your journey towards healthier living!

Laureen

Hi and Welcome!
I too am 56 and had rny wls on 12/10/08. I've lost40#
since surgery and 76# since last April...I began eating
the foods I would be eating post-op. When I found this site I sought out as much info as possible by asking tons of questions, downloading recipes and listening to everyone's advice. I took lots of notes and asked lots of questions at my clinic visits during the 6month eval. I decided I wanted to live not just survive. My health was failing quickly and I became serious about this. This is hard work but having a pouch in place of my large stomach has helped me tremendously. My life has changed and for the better. I work an active job and was off work for 3wks. I was weak for the first few wks but now have lots of energy. I do exactly what my Dr and Team tell me to do and it works. I don't weigh myself very often but I do keep a journal with measurements and wts. Before surgery I purchased various size jeans and sweats on sale to wear as I decrease in size. It's amazing that my sizes are changing so quickly. I'm so glad the jeans were only $10 each...they were worn so little. I live alone but my family has been supportive. I get quite a few compliments at work, something I'm not accustomed to. This is a wonderful experience and I would only wish that I would've done this sooner.
Your decision is yours and yours alone. You'll know when you are ready. Best to you!

Alice

Hello and Welcome to OFF!!  First let me say that I am 57 and was just banded this past Aug.  As a lapband patient I cannot give you any information on the RNY, but I look forward to getting to know you. Again let me say welcome.

Welcome to OFF and you will not regret your decision to have wls. I love my new life and wish that it happened earlier in my life but I know that I was not ready for it. I was brought to it when I was ready and open to it.

I had my open rny October of '07. I have started out at 291 pounds and I am now down to 178. I just can't believe how wonderful I feel for doing that. It was well worth having the surgery. My life has done such a change.

I had diabetes really bad. I had been on 5 shots a day and oral meds and it was still up and down. My endocrinologist finally put me on a pump and I was on U500 insulin with it. That is simply insulin that is 5 times stronger than U100. I was just about maxed out on that. I was filling the pump every few days. the only good thing about that was it easier for me. I have a heart problem that isn't going away and nothing will make it go away. My heart doctor told me that wls is going to be the best thing that I could do for myself and he was right. My back is terrible and nothing is going to help that either but I can get out and walk now. I use to have to use the carts in a store and I hated that. Now since surgery I only used it 2 times in Wal Mart.
Welcome to OFF and know that you will learn so much from these people. They are here to always help where they can. Just post often so we can get to know you and also know that things will be fine. They will all fall into place.

Having WLS surgery was not my idea; my PCP suggested it as I was SMO.  My left knee is shot and I need a replacement, but the surgeon refused because my weight would destroy the artificial joint just as it has the natural one. I was initially denied 3 years prior to actually having surgery.  I was sort of OK with that, because surgery scared me.  I started working with a board certified weight loss doc, who after 3 years re-introduced the idea of WLS.  Sadly, by now I had hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea as well as the bad knee and over all fatigue from lugging around the excess weight.  

So I started researching.  I think the type of surgery to have is a very personal decision and after all my research, I decided to have the duodenal switch.  Please consider looking into it as well.  It may not be the best choice for you, but I think it's important to know what's available.

My DS was laparoscopic, again what I wanted.  Recovery has been a bit rough, but I don't think it's because of the type of surgery because a dear friend had many of the same problems with her RNY.  I can't say I honestly regret my surgery, but I am looking forward to having more better days.  It is way better than it was at one or even two months out.

My husband has been completely supportive.  I can only see our relationship getting better.  We like to travel and that has been so limited the last few years due to my health.

These forums are so helpful because I get so encouraged by others success.  It is also so helpful to know that someone understands the problems that can go along with WLS.  All that being said, best wishes in your journey towards health no matter what path you decide to take.