Advice for my father

Hi Everyone,

I am not over 50 but I am writing about my father. He is over 50 and considering surgery but was told by his physician that it wasn't a good idea and that the doctor basically didn't believe he could recover.  I am just looking for stories and examples of people that are over 50 that have had success.  He has diabetes and is struggling with that as well as problems as a result to it.

-S

I had a doctor that told me that he would never sign off for me to have WLS.  I was too high of a risk.  I had BMI over 60, diabetic, high blood pressure, sleep apena, arthritis, asthma, congestive heart failure...etc.....I'm 62....I changed doctors.....the first thing my new doctor said to me...."have you considered WLS?"  I had a DS in June 2014....off all of my medication except for thyroid (don't have one) and vitamins.  I feel great!!! Just wish I had changed doctors sooner.....I had stuck with my old one for 10+ years. 

Many people with diabetes have successful WLS.  Does he have any other medical issues?  He should get a referral to meet with a bariatric surgeon.  Believe me, before they consider operating on your father he will be thoroughly screened.  They want the same thing he wants -- safe surgery with a successful outcome.  Some doctors just don't "get" WLS.

When you say "my father's doctor" ---- is that his PCP or Diabetes doctor?  He needs a WLS Surgeon to evaluate him.

Good luck!

Mary

Get him to a NEW DR ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your father should be evaluated by a weight loss surgeon.  Before a weight loss surgeon agrees to operate on someone they must have clearances by a variety of specialists.  I had to have a stress test, referral from my hematologist, a psych evaluation, and a sleep study, and I can't remember who else.  It took most of the summer to get all the clearances.  Weight loss surgeons will not do the surgery before they are cleared medically.  Plus, this is all they do, so they would be a better judge of the feasibility of operating on your Dad.  Let us know how things turn out.

I am really new to the journey, having had my surgery 12 days ago!  I'm 53 and By comparison to your father, I maybe in better health; I don't have diabetes nor associated issues, thank God. I did have a mini-stroke (TIA) 2 years ago, and I have mild sleep apnea.  I need two total knee replacements as well, but my orthopedic surgeon thinks the WLS will buy me several more years on these old knees.  That's been the toughest part of my recovery so far: I have to walk, a lot, in order to recover properly and my knees are painful.  Even so, I'm managing and sleeping better than I have in years, and have lost a boat load of weight in just 12 days.  

As my friends have written above, the key is to get a second opinion here.  These surgeries are major surgeries and require a strong body and strong mind in order to survive and recover.  Your father will need to work hard in order to lose the weight and keep it off.  If he's ready for that, get a second opinion and speak to a credible surgeon.  there are a lot of success stories among my 50+ friends here on this thread, and on this site, that you can use for examples. 

Good luck.  And may I say, you're a wonderful devoted daughter.