Question:
Has anyone over 50 had the open Roux-en-Y.

I am 57 years old and planning on having the surgery. I have a lot of joint, hip, and back pain, but no other major poblems. I am 5.2" and weigh 302lbs. I do have a hernia from previous hysterectomy. I would like to hear from some of the over 50 people as to how they came through the surgery and the healing process. Can I expect to have any special problems because of my age?    — Carol P. (posted on April 15, 2000)

April 15, 2000
I turned 50 four days after surgery.. My surgeon said I came though it like a 21 year old.. Now if I just looked like a 21 year old :-) I had absolutely no complications from day one.. At 6 weeks post-op was off CPAP, and all blood pressure medication, no longer diabetic.. Now I'm four months post-op still no complications.. No problems eating, never had any nausea or vomiting, my energy level has tripled, I'm doing things I have NOT done in years, it's such a joy to get up in the morning and not have to bench press my old 367 pound body from the bed. I have developed a very healthy eating habit now, that's the best thing I can say about this tool called Gastric Bypass (makes no matter the kind) Each type brings it's own unique approach and all will work if we do our part. I have never looked back or was sorry for one minute that I had this surgery..My only regret that I didn't do it a year ago. <p> http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/vbowen/index.com <p> Open Proximal RNY 12/8/99 (367lbs 7/99)..(355 12/8/99) NOW 270.4 ;-)
   — Victoria B.

April 15, 2000
We have had MANY in our support groups over 50 have surgery. If anything, it almost seems like they do better because they have a better attitude and are more certain that they did the right thing! Email me if you want a couple of emails of people who were done after 50.
   — vitalady

April 15, 2000
Hey Carol. I had my surgery a year ago 04/01/99 when I was 56 years old. I had lots of co-morbidities, including the joint pain you speak about. That pain is gone now. I think the only thing that was different about the healing part due to my age, was I might have been tired a little longer than someone younger. But it certainly didn't hinder me in any other way. I was very motivated because I didn't want to waste anymore time being fat. I love where I am today and if I had it all to do over again, I'd do it in half a heart beat! If you have any more questions you think I might be able to help you with, please don't hesitate to email me @ [email protected] I will be more than glad to help. Oh, and Good Luck. Judy
   — Judy P.

April 15, 2000
Gee, I was Born Dec. 2 1946, and official "Baby Boomer". I had an open Rny on Feb. 2 2000, I am down 40 lbs. and feeling healthier and happier every day. There are many things I had stopped doing because of my weight, now I am quite active, and I think this energy level will increase. I had no problems healing,and have not had any problems with food. There are a couple of girls who went in when I did ,same day, they have lost more lbs faster, but the Doctor says I am right on schedule. At my six weeks check up I had lost 25% of my weight, and my Doctor said he didn't expect that until three months. I am learning to use this tool and eat much smarter and better. I hope you have the very best of luck. It is so good to see so many respond, I thought I was the oldest person here. Ha Ha.
   — C S.

April 15, 2000
I was 51 and 360lbs when I had my lap BPD/DS six months ago. I am still 51 but have lost 102 lbs and weight 258 today. I was back to work at 3 weeks, working out in the pool at 6 weeks, and just got back from a Caribbean cruise, where I ate everything not nailed down from lobster tails to chocolate souffle and still lost 5 lbs that week. Also went snorkling for the first time in my life. One of my coworkers also had surgery with my surgeon 6 weeks ago and she is 68 years old. He has no age limit as he feels that would be age discrimination! You may want to rethink open surgery. IMHO and that of many others. Laparascopic surgery (when done by an experienced lap surgeon) offers all positive results (faster recovery, less pain, less infection, less hernia) and no negatives. Note: The only negatives heard are from doctors or "bariatric WLS mills" who don't yet offer (can't do) laparascopic surgery. One by one they are all trying to get themselves trained, and jumping on the bandwagon to keep themselves commercially marketable. Let me know if I can help at any time.
   — Jill L.

April 16, 2000
Hey--- I am 54 and just had my open RNY on April 5--- and have had nothing but good luck since. My insulin diabetes is gone, hypertension is gone, reflux is gone, fluid retention is gone. And even with probably 15 pounds gone only, my joints are SO much better I am already up to 40 minutes on the treadmill, although not all at ONCE. *grin* My surgeon put in a jejunostomy tube attached to my side so I can inject water directly into my intestine, which is wonderful-- I don't have to worry about my fluid intake. I feel ten thousand times better, and feel like I have been "born again" in the very real sense of the word. I know my 54-year-old skin will not spring back prefectly, but I truly think a lot of exercising and toning will help.. My surgeon says he has three patients in their 70's--- and they are doing exquisitely.
   — KC C.

April 16, 2000
Had an open rny at age 55 - jan. l998(on my birthday).Before surgery Iwas wheelchair bound because of arthritis, fibromyalgia and vertigo. Weight was 300 lbs. Had no problems at all with the surgery or immediately after. As long as I followed the rules as to WHAT and HOW to eat and drink I didn't have any nausea, vomiting or dumping. Now a litte over two years later I weigh in at 150 and am out of the wheelchair (but do use a crutch because of vertigo) and my bloodpressure is perfect. As for the surgery -- it was the best thingI ever did for myself and I feel so much younger at 57 than I did at 40.
   — Maureen G.