How does a 54 y/o know which kind of WLS to have???
I have been trying for 4 years to be approved for WLS. 4 years ago I wanted a bi-pass. My insurance denied me. 3 appeals later I gave up. Two years ago my insurance changed and I wanted a band. My insurance denied me again. Both times I was denied because the insurance specifically denied the procedure in the plan document. Now 4 years later my new insurance has indicated this is a covered procedure. My appointment is tomorrow to see the surgeon. He does 3 different types of WLS. I am leaning toward the Gastric sleeve. Do I simply follow his advice or am I supposed to know going in tomorrow what I want? Being 54 I wonder if I can handle the Sleeve. Am I too old? I am in good health otherwise. Thanks!!!!!!
I was 54, 330 lbs, insulin diabetic, high BP, horrific knees, asthmatic, huffing and puffing to do anything. I saw my surgeon, he said RNY...with all my co-morbidities this was the way to go. I lost 200 lbs, regained 30 lbs per my doctors orders. I am thrilled with the results and live a good life.
No more insulin and my sugars are great.
I made mistakes, I screwed me at times on this journey. But with support here and from my hubby it has been a great trip.
RNY was the way for me.
Good luck. Listen and ask questions.
No more insulin and my sugars are great.
I made mistakes, I screwed me at times on this journey. But with support here and from my hubby it has been a great trip.
RNY was the way for me.
Good luck. Listen and ask questions.
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Welcome to the board and as for which type of surgery to choose, there are many factors to consider and the surgeon you are seeing will be able to explain in great detail the benefits and the facts regarding each type, though some surgeons lean heavily on one or another due to their experience.
So between today and tomorrow, I would suggest researching your options via OH, go the tab under forums and you will find the boards related to the different types of surgery and see what the people there are talking about their respective surgical experiences, try looking at the ones that have the date of their surgery posted with their avatar and reach out to them ask questions. What I can tell you is that each person will feel strongly about the choices they've made for themselves and I can tell you that I choose RNY (By-pass) because (a) I did not like the idea of a foreign body in my own body, (b) long-term possibility of slippage and/or the port needing to be replaced and (c) mostly this reason, I did not want to have to be tethered to a doctor to have fills. I also wanted to have consequences if I did not comply with my procedure, ie, if I eat too much fatty, starchy or sugary foods, there are consequences such as diareahhea, nasty smelling flatulence and/or feeling like I am in a food coma, which is not to say that sometimes I can get away with stuff, but it's how far am I going to push things and some people have really bad side effects from eating wrong post-surgery.
Lastly, remember that these surgical procedures are not a magical wand, though they will give us a certain results, at the point of maintenance it comes down to us and what we've learned to do differently while losing the weight. Generally there is an 18 month window in which we will lose weight, which is not to say you will not continue to lose, but the further out you go from your procedure, the body adapts itself and it becomes about your lifestyle.
I was 52 when I had my surgery, there are others here who were older than I and so if you choose this path and are willing to do your part, via making the right choices and incorporating a lifestyle change that includes some form of physcial activity at least 5x a week, you should find yourself enjoying life more than you can imagine.
Best wishes on your consult. Laureen
So between today and tomorrow, I would suggest researching your options via OH, go the tab under forums and you will find the boards related to the different types of surgery and see what the people there are talking about their respective surgical experiences, try looking at the ones that have the date of their surgery posted with their avatar and reach out to them ask questions. What I can tell you is that each person will feel strongly about the choices they've made for themselves and I can tell you that I choose RNY (By-pass) because (a) I did not like the idea of a foreign body in my own body, (b) long-term possibility of slippage and/or the port needing to be replaced and (c) mostly this reason, I did not want to have to be tethered to a doctor to have fills. I also wanted to have consequences if I did not comply with my procedure, ie, if I eat too much fatty, starchy or sugary foods, there are consequences such as diareahhea, nasty smelling flatulence and/or feeling like I am in a food coma, which is not to say that sometimes I can get away with stuff, but it's how far am I going to push things and some people have really bad side effects from eating wrong post-surgery.
Lastly, remember that these surgical procedures are not a magical wand, though they will give us a certain results, at the point of maintenance it comes down to us and what we've learned to do differently while losing the weight. Generally there is an 18 month window in which we will lose weight, which is not to say you will not continue to lose, but the further out you go from your procedure, the body adapts itself and it becomes about your lifestyle.
I was 52 when I had my surgery, there are others here who were older than I and so if you choose this path and are willing to do your part, via making the right choices and incorporating a lifestyle change that includes some form of physcial activity at least 5x a week, you should find yourself enjoying life more than you can imagine.
Best wishes on your consult. Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
I was off work up until I had my first check up with WLS dr. Guess it was about 2 weeks but I felt great!! I had the RNY laproscopic and after I could eat or should I say drink my protein and water I was ready to get back to work!!! Never felt like I had surgery at all...but I sure could not eat or drink like I did before...haha you learn all over again how to do that! ;-)
HUGS
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