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I am 57, and I asked my surgeon the same question. As I recall, he told me that they don't start worrying about age until 70, and then they consider WLS on a case-by-case basis.
I had VSG this past Monday, and it went very smoothly. The nurses were impressed at how soon I was up and walking, and at my walking speed. From what I've read, there's no reason to believe your age will make your recovery more difficult. It has more to do with how anesthesia and the other drugs affect you.
I'll turn 58 later this month, so we are pretty close in age.
Hi Nancy,
Yes, the iron deficiency issue is real. I'm 13 years out this week, and when I had my labs done in March there were 2 areas of concern - the iron issue and Vitamin D deficiency (and resulting osteoporosis in my hips).
Of course for me it's my own fault for not paying attention to taking my vitamins.
Best of luck to you.
Never say never again - the headbattles never end.
Marie
pre-op 225 (3/31/05) - lowest 129 (6/1/06) - Happy Place - 145
Nancy: I just Googled " RnY gastric bypass causes Anemia" and so many hits came up , including one from Rochester University stating that half of women getting RnY after Menopause can become Anemic , more so than Sleeved and any other type of weightloss surgery.
Do your research and print up whatever you feel relevant to your particular case and insist on an iron infusion if you feel this is best for you. There is so much literature published by reputable research and sources on the internet you can use to convince your doctor it is because of MALABSORPTION .
good luck
jen
Hi Nancy:
Around 15% of RNYers suffer from iron defficiency because we no linger have the large surface of the lining found in a normal stomach to provide the Intrinsic Factor which absorbs iron from the food we eat. My Surgeon Dr. Christou posts this on his site ( now retired from defunct Royal Vic Hospital in Montreal he is in private practice and still in Montreal. Look up his website by Googling his name and check out his site where he refers to RNYers becoming iron defficient even in menopause). Being iron defficient as an RNYer has nothing to do with leaks , and everything to do with malabsorption.
Some of us (like me) can supplement every second or third day with a capsule of prescription iron. Others need regular infusions.
I just did my annual major bloodwork and urinalysis (pretty much everything on the requisition is ticked except for pregnancy related items) and my Ferritin is at 28 Whereas the supposedly normal range is 12-287. So my GP is happy with anything that falls within "normal" parameters, but I would like to see my level higher so will take my EURO-FER 300mg (Ferrous Fumarate) every second day, but suspect will have to take a capsule everyday to reach the level we RNYers need which is at least the middle of the range or higher.
Good luck with getting your Anemia under control and don't be surprised if your scopes show no reasons. It is because we lack Intrinsic Factor with our much smaller pouches compared to our Sleeved companions, and often regular doctors , who are not informed about longterm effects of our particular gastric bypass are unaware of the Anemia connection. We continue to be our own best advocates and back up our knowledge with paper photocopies to hand over to medical practitioners.
All the best...
Jen
Well here it is, twelve years after surgery. I am still down 148 pounds but now hovering up and down five pounds. I need to lose more. Exercise is difficult due to severe chronic lymphedema in both legs and now I need two knee replacements. Add to that, I am now considering the removal of excess skin that wraps around my hips. That would reduce the weight on my knees.
I am stuggling with anemia. Doctor says 13 is very low in iron and I am a 6. Yet all I get is another blood test every 3 months and prescribed iron pills. I've had the colonoscopy to look for blood leaks, none found, and now he wants the upper part scoped. Anemia is holding me back from knee replacement and plastic surgery to remove extra skin. I will see the doctor this coming week and will be insisting on an IRON INFUSION.
MALABSORPTION is the problem...is anyone else dealing with this?
Good luck with your surgery, I'm a couple of months out and have already notice some health improvements, arthritis got better, then the weather go damper and some pain returned but been managing as I can't take Nsaids anymore. I'm hoping finally getting my weight under control will improve quality of life going forward. I'll be 57 in November depending on where you are they'll put you on a special diet pre-surgery to help shrink your liver to make surgery easier.
57 - 6'0" - HW:288 SW:260 CW:185
TWH: Referral Aug. '16, Orientation - Nov. 30 '16, Surgeon Oct. 6 '17, Start Optifast Feb. 5'18 - Surgery Feb. 26'18
Opti -25; M1 -23; M2 -17; M3 -7; M4 -5; M5 -5; M6 -6; M7 -0; M8 -2; M9 -0; M10 -2; M11-0; M12-4;
I thought the same thing at first, but I quickly discovered that lots of us "seasoned" folks have it!
RNY 06/03/15 by Michael Garren (Madison, WI)
HW: 373 SW: 316 GW: 150 LW: 138 CW: 163
Hello YYC, and welcome!
Younwon't regret having your knee saving surgery although they will continue to ache as you lose weight because your center of gravity changes as you shed pounds putting strain on various parts of your body like spine and hips and supporting muscle groups also affecting your knees. Losing the weight will definitely help your knees, but not instantly so be patient with your body...
As to fatty liver we get it with obesity and losing weight also helps but then as you saw in the posts above, our livers do weird things .
Good luck with your surgery, let us know how you are doing. We have plenty of old timer bench warmers here who may jump in and answer any questions you have along your journey. Lots of senior experience here and none of us regret having the surgery later in life. Most wish we'd done it sooner (i was 62) and have rediscovered mobility, just like your knees will.
Jen
Hello,
i have my my surgery date May 23!
so scared, so excited! Friday is my last pre op nurses visit.
about 5 years ago my blood work showed elevated enzymes. I had an ultrasound and was diagnosed with fatty liver disease. I have never received any sort of treatment and since then my enzymes have been normal. I have no understanding of this disease.
I will be 59 in September, glad there are some folks my age. At times, I think this is a surgery for younger people but am very glad that I am having it. I want my knees back!
