Thanking God I found YOU!!!

I can't believe in months of surfing OH that I have not found this board.  I have been on the main board and California board, but just hovering over them like an anxious mama.  I have issues, like who doesn't???  But the big one is age.  I'm a 294 pound 62 year old pre-op.  My goodness that's just ridiculous, or not?  Therein lies the issue...AGE!  In the back of my mind I kept thinking what am I doing???  All these wonderful folks are younger and able to bounce back from surgery.  You are an old gal, kinda worn at the seams and sagging in the middle.  Like one poster on this board stated in the back of your mind you worry about the outcomes when you are older.  I'm looking at June for a surgery date.  Tomorrow is my psych evaluation and admittedly that worries me too.  The end of the month is pre-op physical.  May 22 is my last visit to the surgeon and the letter to the insurance for surgery approval.  I'm kinda getting cold feet.  Forgive me this long post, but I've been waiting for someone my age to be a part of this journey, and hallelujah!!  I found you. 

Mary,
There is nothing ridiculous about wanting to make a positive change in your life and improve your health! You have more ***** and energy in you than people half your age. I think it is perfectly normal to feel the way you are feeling..at any age, not just being over 50.
Please remember that you are not in this alone. I'm your friend and will be there to help you with whatever you may need.
Hugs,

Angela

Hi Angela,
You are indeed, my friend.  Thank you for always being there.  I think you are my hovering
angel.  It gives me great comfort to know you are there, and will be there.  Speaking of which, your date is getting close, the 29th.  So you know I'm hovering over you too, lol.  I hope the pre-surgery gitters haven't been too bad.  You have been so much on my heart and mind.  I was planning to email today, and so I shall.  Thank you for the answer to this post.  I can always count on you!!!
Huggin' you too,
Mary

You forget what we have  achieved yes we are elderly
BUT
.........WE ARE ON THE INTERNET...
.....WE CAN SPEAK INTELLIGENTLY ON HERE....
.... WE CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS............

My psych evaluation was interesting.
In the end we agreed
I am manipulative...hell yes how else could I get this done at this age and get you ( the surgeons and physicians) to agree with me?
(IF I dont do this I die an early and very sedentary dearth)
I am goal oreintated....ditto above
I am aware of the consequences of getting surgery..........ditto above
I am aware of the consequences of NOT getting surgery...........ditto above
I am fully ware of these consequences and YES I still want the surgery........ditto above.

see a trend forming here?

I am heading under the knife in May,
am I scared you bet,
will I panic. every second of every day of every week of every month.
Will I change my mind...........NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO......yesssssssss. NOOOOOOOOOO
Do I really have a choice...............NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO......
I truly believe only intelligent people have second thoughts, we know what we are risking. shameful self plug

Thing is..if we dont? then we risk never knowing what could have been, what should have been, what may have been.

I want to live.


edited cause I forgot to use the spell check........

Hi Ann,
What a great post.  I'm smiling (can you see me), and laughing out loud for sure.  For all of the above reasons I got into this whole thing.  I guess the strength will be having a voice here, and people with whom I can share freely without explaining the age thing.

And, darn it, you are so right!!  Here we are using computers, speaking intelligently (most of the time, when I don't forget, lol) and gathering in a public forum on the internet.  Rather amazing isn't it?

I appreciate your thoughtful and delightfully fun post.  I am looking forward to knowing you better.  Hugs,
Mary

Mary,
Our age seems to give us the advantage of wisdom. We are much better at following the plan after surgery; probably because we KNOW how bad life was being obese.

There is no food as tempting as fitting into a size 4 and having enough energy to romp with my Grands.

The slight discomfort of WLS is nothing compared to the body aches (and heart aches) of carrying around 320 pounds on a 5'2" body. If I continued to carry that much weight there would have been no old age in my future.

Welcome to the OFF family. This is the best group on OH!!
Annette

Thank you Annette,
I am encouraged  your post.  I am obsessed with following the "orders" of my surgeon and nut.  I am dieting and exercizing like I've already had surgery. 

You have accomplished so much.  The body does tell you when you are putting too much on it to carry.  Your weight loss amazes me.  My surgeon said she didn't think I'd achieve my goal of 180.  Just tell me I can't and watch me!!!

Thank you again for the warm welcome,
I've been waiting to meet you!!
Hugs,
Mary

Hi Mary... I am so happy to see you posting here. You will love this "family" as much as I do.  Let me tell you a bit about myself.
I am 66 years old, I had Lap RNY November 19, 2008 which is 5 months ago.  I started out at 270 pounds, lost 16 lbs before surgery (on pre-op diet only 2 weeks before the surgery) and today I weigh 190 pounds for a TOTAL wt loss of 80 pounds. I have abt 30 more to lose to hit goal) I feel great and people say I look great.  I am 5'7" tall.  I had High BP, Sleep apnea, chronic pain in legs, knees and feet, shortness of breath and generally felt like I was not long for this world unless I did something soon.   I have had no problems at all since surgery.  I followed my Surgeon's and Nutritionist's orders to the "T" and I guess it has paid off.  I have always loved to cook and bake and continue to do so even today but have no desire to eat sweets, breads or fatty foods.  Some days I almost forget that I need to eat.  This has been the best thing I've ever done for myself and I would do it again in a heart beat.  My Medicare and BC/BS supplement insurance paid for  the whole thing and without any question.  I am no longer on my C-PAP machine (sleep apnea), take only one medication for high BP (and will probably be off that when I hit the 6 mth mark).  I am no longer a candidate for Diabetes.  I walk 60 minues twice a day, can run up and down the stairs of my two story home, can get down on my hands and knees, do my own housework again and I feel like I am in my forties instead of 66.  Sorry I don't have pictures but need a new computer....this one has been giving me grief and there's something else wrong every day. :-) (Couldn't be the user could it? haha)
If you want to ask me any more questions please feel free to PM me on my profile .  By the way, what denomination are you?
I am Lutheran.   Welcome to the OFF bunch of great people.

A big Hug to you Mary,

Sandy

Hi Sandy,
Thank you many times over for the wonderful post.  Everything you mention is problemtic for me as we speak.  I am pre-diabetic, arthritic, have high bp, and fibromyalgia, as well as sleep apnea (no c-pap), and I can't get down to clean, or go up and down the stairs easily.  You feel like you are in your forties?  I'll sign up for that!
I am a Lutheran too.  My husband is a Missouri-Synod pastor.  There are pictures of the church on my profile.
I am so looking forward to knowing you and learning from you.  I am planning a VSG as a first choice and RnY as a second.  My insurance company is the deciding factor.
Your wisdom will mean so much in the coming months.
A big hug back,
Mary

Hello and welcome!  If you end up choosing the VSG, our surgical forum is also quite gentle and friendly. 

Personally, I chose the VSG and had my procedure about two and a half years ago.  I lost over 100% of my EBW, and am maintaining with a BMI of about 23, give or take a pound or two.  The sleeve is pretty easy to get used to, and I still have restriction this far out.    Best wishes for whichever surgery you choose!