Question:
45+ post ops

Hi: Are any of you postops 45 years or older. I was 49 when I had surgery, still 49, lol. I would love to read your profile. Do you find there are any special challenges to being an "older" postop? Love Grace    — Grace H. (posted on December 3, 2002)


December 2, 2002
I will be 49 a couple of weeks after my 1/7/03 RNY. Wish I could answer you now. Maybe later!! I do know that I had Laproscopic surgery last March and the recovery was grueling. I suspect it has something to do with my advanced age!!
   — sherry H.

December 2, 2002
Grace - I'm a year under your criteria at 44, but feel free to check out my profile as well....JR
   — John Rushton

December 2, 2002
Grace, at five and a half months post-op, I can say that I have two major challenges that might be impacted by my age, which is 52. First, I have a continuing emotional issue of being at this age to literally "start" my life. I was obese from a very early age. Sometimes, when I allow myself to think about it, I am profoundly sad that over 50 years (except for about 2 years in my 20's when I was on amphetamines) of my life are gone. Gone - and spent imprisoned in the hostile environment of an obese body. Needless to say, I try not to allow myself to dwell on this much. <BR><BR> Secondly, I was wishfully, but errantly, hoping that my arthritic bones would miraculously respond to their lightened load by hurting less. I do think my knees are a bit better, but my right hip is, if anything, worse. And now, I am no longer able to take the drugs I used to rely upon for some relief.<BR><BR> But enough of the challenges and downside, I have lost 80 pounds in less than six months. Last week, I stood for several hours in the kitchen, preparing a grand feast for my family - an unthinkable task last year at this time. I can shop and play with my ten and twelve year-old daughters. I can climb the 13 stairs to our bedroom level each night and still have the breath to say, "Good Night, I love you", to my precious family. <BR><BR> Instead of worrying about the time and life I have behind me, I will joyfully anticipate the best of the years to come. <B>Onward and Upward...</B>
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 2, 2002
I am 47, had open RNY 7/1/02. My starting weight was 385, and I am now at 292 (c'mon 100!) I was back to work full time two weeks post-op, even with an incisional complication. You can do what you must do. You can do what you believe you can do. My severe knee arthritis is mostly gone, and I haven't taken meds for diabetes, high blood pressure or arthritis since surgery. Your mind is the most powerful tool you have.
   — Karen N.

December 2, 2002
LAP-RNY on October 8, 2002 - exactly 8 weeks and 50 lbs today. Turned 55 on November 25th of this year. Best thing I ever did.
   — Steve B.

December 2, 2002
I'm 50 & almost 15months post op down 113lbs. Have had no complications. Have never gotten sick can eat everything and (sadly) don't dump.
   — Denise W.

December 2, 2002
Hi... I am 52 and 8 months post op. To date, I've lost 91# though I've been on a plateau for about 7 wks now. I am doing great, feel good, increased stamina and energy. I sometimes forget to eat so that is a problem as eating too little can impede the loss too. Exercise for me is a major issue as I have a lot of knee damage from carrying 330# for so long. But I try to get creative with that. I think about the only thing I could think might be unique with older RNYs might be bouncing back of skin tone with more sagging skin, and the normal sluggish digestive systems that we all get with aging anyhow. Mostly though its great and I feel super. Went through about 4 months of hair loss but that has stopped and surprisingly my almost white hair is coming in with pigment. Has my hairdresser floored. All in all...best decision of my life and I am loving feeling good again. My best to you. Andrea
   — AJC750

December 2, 2002
Hi... I am 52 and 8 months post op. To date, I've lost 91# though I've been on a plateau for about 7 wks now. I am doing great, feel good, increased stamina and energy. I sometimes forget to eat so that is a problem as eating too little can impede the loss too. Exercise for me is a major issue as I have a lot of knee damage from carrying 330# for so long. But I try to get creative with that. I think about the only thing I could think might be unique with older RNYs might be bouncing back of skin tone with more sagging skin, and the normal sluggish digestive systems that we all get with aging anyhow. Mostly though its great and I feel super. Went through about 4 months of hair loss but that has stopped and surprisingly my almost white hair is coming in with pigment. Has my hairdresser floored. All in all...best decision of my life and I am loving feeling good again. My best to you. Andrea
   — AJC750

December 3, 2002
I am 52 now, Had my surgery 12/11/01. Have lost 184 pounds and coming up on my year anniverary. I can not begin to tell you the great changes in my life. I my knees still hurt a little but not like they use to. I no longer take medicine for diabetis and my synthyroid medication has been lowered twice since surgery. My vision has even improved in both eyes. I feel younger then my 52 years. Best thing I ever did for myself.
   — bbjnay

December 3, 2002
Hi I was 59 when I had my surgery, one of the slow losers. No problems was back to work after 13 days. Just had panni surgery on the 15th, am 61 now, back to work after 14 days, no problems. Surgery was the best gift I've ever given myself.
   — connie m

December 3, 2002
Had RNY at 56. Am at 185, down from 348. More physically active now than at any time in the last 19 years. If I have any regrets, it's over having waited so long to act. Oh yes, the cost of replacing all those clothes, even shoes. ;)
   — Chuck O.

December 3, 2002
Hi Grace, <p>I'm 47 and almost 15 months post-op. I've lost 134 pounds, down from 297 to 163. My bmi went from 43 to 23. I'm completely healthy--no complications of any kind. My acid reflux is gone, knee pain gone, foot pain gone, shortness of breath gone, gone, gone. Praise God!
   — artistmama

December 3, 2002
I'm 49 and had my surgery 8 months ago, I have lost 117 lbs. I just wish that I could do more exercising but my arthritis doesn't seem to be getting better with the weight loss like I had hoped that it would. The major thing is all of this sagging skin, it just doesn't tighten up like it does when we are younger! I haven't had any complications and am SO glad that I had this surgery....just wish I could have had it when I was younger!
   — Brenda V.

December 3, 2002
I was 44 (45 in 10 days) when I had my surgery, 53 now. Hmm, I guess one surprise is aging. LOL! I didn't expect to do that. To hear my PCP shrug off a small issue as "normal aging" is actually kinda amusing. Woulda been nice to have surgery at 44 and have the body of the 20-something I never had, BUT *that* wasn't going to happen. I watch my labs scrupulously (myself) for changes that may have nothing (or everything) to do with my surgery. My PCP tries really hard not to judge other function by my WLS, and does a good job, but another pair of eyes doesn't hurt.
   — vitalady

December 3, 2002
I had my Open RNY when I was 55 and I have had no problems at all. I was a year post-op the day after Thanksgiving and it has been a wonderful year. The only thing is that maybe I won't lose as much because of my age but that's ok. I've lost 160 pounds in a year and I'm not complaining.
   — Patty_Butler

December 3, 2002
Hi Grace~~I had my sugery 3/19/01 at the age of 53. I will be 55 in a couple of weeks & never felt better. My weight loss has been at a standstill the pass few months & I did put on 5#. Feel free to check out my profile.
   — socco58

December 3, 2002
I'm a 49 year old post op. Lost 102 in 10 months so far. Started at BMI 43,now down to about BMI 27. Absolutely no problems with the post-op lifestyle. You can see the details in my profile.
   — Kathy J.

December 3, 2002
Hi Everyone: You guys and girls are so sweet to post. I guess there are quite a few of us beautiful, mature types out there. Good luck to all. Love ya. Grace
   — Grace H.

December 4, 2002
hi i had my surgery on may 3,2002 i was 55 and i still am i have lost 97lbs and i feel great. i have a swimming pool so all summer i swam everyday after we closed th pool i do arobetics for one hour at lease five times a week it keeps me going. good luck to you
   — ROSEMARY A.

December 4, 2002
Hi Grace, I'm 53. I turned 50 the day I left the hospital after my RNY. The biggest problem I have is remembering my age! I wear the kind of clothes I wore when I was 25, only they look better now! It's great. hugs, Ann RNY 9/10/99 260/124
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 4, 2002
Hi Grace: I am 3 1/2 months post-op and have had my LAP RNY on 8/15/2002. As of last monday am down 86.5 pounds and doing great. I'm in better shape than I have been in years and smaller now than I was when I got married in 1990. My biggest challenge was an exercise program, I guess. I had a lot of numbness and pain on the ouside of my right leg and it's 85% gone now. I started out walking 1/4 mile and am up to 2 miles a day now. I do it 7 days a week. It was a drag to do, but I honestly feel better each day that I do it, so it's easier than it was. Best thing I ever did.
   — Cathy S.

December 5, 2002
Hi Grace, I was 57 when I had my open DS last Dec. 17. (now 58) I have lost 158lbs. (started at 360lbs.) and feel fantastic. A year ago I lived in the recliner. Now I am on the go all the time. Everything is an adventure now. The only special challenge I can think of is clothes shopping. I want all the things I could never fit into when I was younger but........... There have been no negatives because I am an older post-op. My profile is here also. Carol
   — grammie5

December 10, 2002
Hi. I'm 45 years old and 19 months post op. (Down around 160 lbs and which is half my orginal pre op weight). 30 pounds from goal.
   — Danmark




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