Question:
Most of you answering posts are young, younger, youngest; how about 60+ people?

I would like to hear from "older" people who have been successful with weight-loss surgeries. I am a refugee from the early 70s jejuno-ileal bypass facing weight gain.    — [Anonymous] (posted on June 18, 2000)

June 19, 2000
Well, I'm not 60+ but I am almost 59. I had open RNY on 2/8/00. The surgery went absolutely beautiful, no problems or complications. I never had a pain, discomfort of any kind, not even a twitch. The only problem in the hospital was what was termed as "withdrawals" from Paxil; I trembled and shook so badly that I couldn't hardly walk to the bathroom. HOWEVER, three weeks after surgery I started having problems, LOTS of problems. I could not tolerate the liquid protein drinks (I tried all kinds). I threw them up. I called the surgeon's office and his nurse told me to try Soya protein sprinkled on my food. That worked well for a few days but then I developed dry heaves and vomiting. Of course the vomiting sabotaged the protein on food. The doctor eventually decided I had to have an endoscopy as the lower opening had closed up. In the meantime I told him I was not tolerating liquid protein and was throwing up the protein that I was managing to get in. I still had dry heaves, up to 30 times a day, MISERABLE. I even slept (or tried to sleep) in the bathroom with my head in the sink. After two months my electrolytes bottomed out. I spent three nights in one week at the emergency room, taking potassium by mouth because my levels were so low (that stuff tastes like brine, UGH)! The doctor asked my how come I didn't communicate that I had problems with the protein!!DUH! What did they think I was saying when I told them I couldn't tolerate the protein--THEY WEREN'T LISTENING!! I had to have a second endoscopy on Easter Sunday, throwing up again with everything I TRIED to eat. Finally found a protein I could tolerate (Procom), it's great mixed with ice, water and frozen strawberries. I was off work for three months, was terribly sick and would never have had this operation if I had known I was going to be so sick. I have lost 92 pounds which I am grateful for and have gone from a size 26-28 to a size 18-20 (loose fitting at that). I was told, eventually, that the dry heaves are caused by stomach spasms and the warmer the water you drink, the more spasms you have. I don't know why the same nurse couldn't have told me that when I told her how bad the dry heaves were. My co-worker had the same surgery and I told her to drink ice water--she's had no problems whatsoever. I feel pretty good now, I can't eat chicken--throw it up every time, but most other things go down okay as long as I take it slow. Don't mean to be a wet blanket or to discourage others, but I feel everyone should research carefully (I did) and then research some more. No one ever told me that dry heaves were a "normal" side effect, they were worse than the actual vomiting. Also, I blacked out twice (I guess from the low electrolytes) and woke up to find myself lying on the floor. The ER doctor reported it to the DMV and I had to be re-certified in order to keep my driver's license. Good luck!!
   — Connie G.

June 19, 2000
I had your same type surgery and I would love to correspond with you. I am currently at least 40 pounds overweight for my heighth. I am 45 years old. Email me at [email protected].
   — pmscom

August 11, 2000
i am 63 years and 10 months old had my surgery june 1999 and would be glad to answer any questions you may have. email me at [email protected] provide information as to you age, weight, general health and other extenuating conditions for a proper reply thank you irwin
   — irwin K.