Question:
48hrs to go and I would love to hear success stories from 40-somethings
I'm nervous but excited. It would really help me to focus if I could hear from those people over 40. Did you loose slower then the younger people ? Were you more tired ? Any tips, tricks or suggestions for the post-op days ahead ? This site has the most supportive people around. I just love the information that everyone shares. — blockie (posted on June 17, 2003)
June 17, 2003
I had my surgery 10/02, turned 41 in 01/03. I'm 8 months post-op and down
130 lbs., so I don't think I'm a slow loser. I do stay tired quite a bit,
but it's because I'm constantly on the go doing something!!! It's
definitely not the same kind of tired that I was at almost 350 lbs. It's a
"good" tired, if that makes any sense!
— Want2bslim
June 17, 2003
Hi , Im 48 and had open Roux N y on March 26 of this year I think
that puts me in my 12 th week . I have already lost 52 lbs and gone from
size 20 22 to a 14 :) I have more energy than I know what to do with . Im
sure my hubby wishes I would use it to clean the house but I have no time
for that , I walk at the gym and work out on the machines and I am taking a
water aerobics class ..with my other time I am shopping for new clothes :)
I can truely say this surgery has been the best thing I have ever done for
my self ..you are in for an exciting journey .. congrats on your
approval... enjoy the ride //email me anytime nan054 @aol.com I am in
Columbia Sc
— ruthie
June 17, 2003
Hi, I will be 46 next month. I had a LAP RNY 4 months ago. I have lost
68 pounds since surgery and 75 since my initial consult in December of '02.
I would love to be losing faster but I feel terrific, only remembering the
surgery when I see my tiny scars or I am thinking about eating. I do not
dump, and have very little difficulty with specific foods, other than dry
white meat chicken or some hamburgers. I wish everyone a recovery as
smooth as mine. Just one thing to be aware of, don't over do it on the
narcotic pain meds. They can constipate you and make you pretty
uncomfortable. Definitely NOT worth it. Best of luck!!!
— Fixnmyself
June 17, 2003
I had surgery on April 7th (10 weeks ago) and I am 42 yrs old. SO far I
have lost 47 lbs. I exercise on a regular basis and feel fabulous. I feel
like a new person!
Barb 4/07/03
235/188/130
— Barbara C.
June 17, 2003
I'm 42 and had an open RNY on April 15, so I'm at 9 weeks out. I've lost
about 55 lbs already and I feel GREAT! I think the pace at which you lose
depends on many factors, one of which is your size--the bigger you are, the
more you lose, at least at first. I've had a substantial loss because I
started out at 399 lbs. If you're only 100 lbs(only
100lbs--hee!)overweight, you'll lose more slowly.
As for being tired, I was exhausted for the first 2-3 weeks after the
surgery, but that was just from the healing process. Now I have more
energy than I've had in years, and I still weigh over 300 lbs! Just take
very good care of yourself, make sure you follow your doctor's
instructions, and concentrate on getting better; this is YOUR time, and
it's okay, no, it's NECESSARY, for you to be a little selfish for a while.
Best of luck on your surgery-you won't regret it!
— Maggie T.
June 17, 2003
Hi Good luck to you , you will do just fine, I am almost 46 , I had my wls
12-20-01 started at 240 and now I weigh 143 I am a size 6 in some things
and an 8 in others, I stopped snoring almost as soon as I can home from the
hospital. I feel GREAT and can tell you that this is the best thing I have
ever done for myself. Take-care :)
— Rho
June 17, 2003
congrats on your approval, I remember well how that feels! You feel like
you just was awarded the major grand prize! I anm 52 and 8 weeks out today
and have lost 37 lbs and 38 inches. I am now off all meds! No more high
blood pressure, no more panic attacks and no stress! I do feel better. I do
feel the younger ones get along better but then don't worry your quite a
bit younger than I. Hang in there take it slow and try not to worry you
will do fine! Hugs...
— Barbara S.
June 17, 2003
I had my surgery 2/24/03 and I am 46 yrs old. I know I am not losing slower
than those younger than me. So far I have lost 81 lbs. Yes you are going
to be tired but when you are tired then you rest, but when you feel good,
you get up and go with it. I was not up to exercising until about 10 weeks
after the surgery. To me the surgery has been a brand new chapter and 2nd
chance for myself. You will have days the 1st month where you ask yourself
why you did this but after a couple of months you will be very happy and
wonder what took you so long.. Best of luck..Just rest, eat only what your
Dr. suggest and don't listen to anything negative.
— Rhonda S.
June 17, 2003
Hi. I turned 48...yikes!! a couple weeks ago. I am 5'3 and started out at
287lbs. My surgery was on 02/12/03 and at my 4 month mark I have now lost
79lbs. I am very happy so far. It gets better every week, I promise! I have
a Lap RNY and went back to work in less than 2 weeks. Get ready to be a
LOSER!!! : ) It takes one to know one, I am proud to say :) Best of
Luck!!
Peggy
— Peggy B.
June 17, 2003
Hi - I had GBS 7/30/01 - 42yrs old at the time of my surgery - now almost
2yrs later, doing great! I had no complications from surgery and have
absolutely no regrets! The first 4 - 5 weeks post op ( had open RNY ) I
was exhausted, and have had a few episodes here and there when exhaustion
would creep back in, but I just increase protein during those times. I
cannot say if the occassional feelings of tiredness are from weight loss or
just the fact that my sleeping pattern has never been great. You just have
to take it day by day, rest alot in the early post op days, and work on
getting in enough fluids and protein! Best of luck!
— Jean K.
June 17, 2003
Hi! I had a lap proximal RNY 16 months ago at age 46. I'm down 125 pounds
and at goal. :-) I was a relatively slow but steady loser. However, I
did not have any sort of regular exercise program. I am REALLY happy with
my surgery. No problems of any sort at all. I would have the surgery
every year if I needed to in order to feel this good! Best advice I can
give you is to focus on the positive (especially the first 2 weeks
post-op). And then just get busy with your new life as the weight starts
to fall off. It's a great life!!!! Oh... and be sure to buy lots of
pretty new clothes - it's SO much fun!
— Kathy J.
June 17, 2003
Hi! I'm 49 years old had my surgery 12/23/03 and I have lost 87 lbs and
tons of inches everywhere. It was the best thing I could have ever done
for myself. I can move around so much better, I dont hurt all over, the
emotional pain of not being able to stay on a diet is no longer
there...thank God! I skipped Curves and started exercizing at a Wellness
Center at our community college---love it! I have dropped over 6 sizes in
clothing. My recovery from surgery was excellent- I was back to work in 2
1/2 weeks. You will be so pleased with the results of this surgery!
— debmi
June 18, 2003
I had lap RNY on 4/1/03 (11 weeks ago) at age 44. I've lost 45 pounds so
far, and have gone from a tight size 28 to a size 20 dress yesterday. I
feel fabulous! I had no complications from surgery, and can eat almost
anything, as long as I watch the fat, sugar, and portion size. I went back
to my office job 10 days after surgery. I was tired until 7 or 8 weeks
after surgery, but after that my energy levels have steadily increased. To
avoid the possibility of hernias, my surgeon doesn't want us in an
organized exercise program or gym for several months after surgery, but I
walk 2 1/2 miles 5 to 6 days a week. I'm off my diabetes and high blood
pressure medications completely, my knees and ankles hardly ever hurt, and
I don't have constant heartburn anymore. I have had not one moment's
regret and would do this again in a heartbeat.
— Vespa R.
June 18, 2003
Hi! I am 47, had lap RNY on 10/29/02 and am down 65 lbs. I am 5'3" and
started at 236lbs. I lost pretty fast at first, then slowed down. I was
in the hospital 2 days, back at work full time on post op day 12. I started
walking, walking, walking about 5 days after surgery. I came home on
Halloween and helped give out candy. Next day went with my mom to the
doctor (he was surprised as heck to see ME there with her!) Went to a
wedding reception/cruise the next evening and a birthday dinner the next
night. Four weeks after surgery, my DH and I went with a high school
marching band to Florida as chaperones (and I was the trip nurse). It was
20 hours down on a bus, and 20 hours back (walked every chance I got.) I
actually had more energy and endurance than some of the other parents that
went on the trip! (Did I mention we don't have a kid in high school any
more!LOL!) I think the trick here is I was so busy I didn't have time to be
tired! Good luck, and you will do fine!
— koogy
June 18, 2003
I turned 40 ten days before my surgery. I came out of open rny
fantastically and have been so ever since. I walk now 4 miles a day and at
only 1 week post op I was walking 1 mile. This is the opportunity of a
lifetime make the absolute best of it. I can and you will too soon buy
pretty panties and bras and all that girly lovely stuff. It is a MIRACLE.
You are absolutely on the brink of your miracle.
Good Luck Peggy open rny 9/20/02 -136lbs
— Peggy A.
June 18, 2003
Hi there,
I turned 40 5 days before my surgery on 5/7/03 and I've done great! In 6
weeks, I've lost 31# and 20". What a great gift I've given myself!
Good Luck.
— Kelly M.
June 18, 2003
Check out my profile: Diane N of Tampa, FL
— DianeN
June 18, 2003
I was 43 when I had my surgery, which was two years ago. I think I lost
pretty quick, and thankfully I've kept the weight off... so far. But I'm
still in the overweight bmi range, and around 30 pounds from goal. (Lost
160 of the 190 I wanted to lose). I really need a full body lift but I
doubt my insurance will pay for it. At least they paid for WLS. I still
have no energy, but then I have had and still do have many health problems.
Most of those are probally related to some other non wls surgeries that
have messed up my health. However, I HAD energy BEFORE WLS... so I still
think my lack of energy IS wls related. In any case, I'm not sorry I had
WLS... but I really think the younger people have the right idea. Don't
wait until you are in the fourties. It would have been nice if I had had
wls in my twenties and I could have enjoyed the last few years without all
the extra weight. Besides, I'm "assuming" the younger wls
patients "may" have less loose skin afterwards.
— Danmark
June 18, 2003
I had my LAP RNY on August 28, 2002 and I was just shy of 46. To date I
have lost 105 lbs. I started at 5'4" and 255 and am 150 now. I have
joined Curves and am hoping to tighten up some lose skin and then see where
to go from here. I feel great and would do it again in a heart beat! Best
of luck to all.
— Linda K.
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