Question:
I am 54 yrs. old. Anyone out there my age, who has had the surgery?

I'm 5'4", and 245 lbs. What do you think results could be at my age?    — Cathy S. (posted on November 2, 2002)

November 2, 2002
I'm 49 and just had the surgery on 9/6/02. Everything went well, no complications and I was back to work in 4 weeks. Open RNY, staring wt. 285, down 30 lbs, now at 255. Faye
   — Faye M.

November 2, 2002
The woman who runs our support group had her surgery at 60. She's now 62, has lost 125 pounds and just went for a major tummy tuck on 10-30-02...GO FOR IT!!!! :)
   — candymom64

November 2, 2002
Hi, I'm 55 years old, 5'4" and started out at 250. I'm 3 1/2 weeks post-op and have lost 23 lbs. 20 came off within 2 weeks and just 3 in last week and 1/2. So go for it, I'm certainly not unhappy that I did at this point. Will know more later....Good Luck
   — Sharon B.

November 2, 2002
Hi! I was 57 when I had my surgery last Dec. Surgery and recovery were relatively easy and although I was told I would lose slower and less due to my age, it has not been the case. At 10 1/2 months, I have lost 150 lbs. My starting weight was 360 and BMI was 56.4. Now I am 210 with a BMI approx. 35. All comorbidities are gone and the surgery gave me a quality of life I never could have had any other way. Good luck and don't let your age be the deciding factor. We oldies deserve a great life too! Carol
   — grammie5

November 2, 2002
I am 54 (will be 55 in three weeks), had LAP-RNY on October 8th. Best thing I ever did. Good news is that no food really appeals to me these days... can you believe? Life saver has been Jello brand sugar free chocolate pudding and Dannon Light and Creamy yogurt. Had mashed potatoes a few times and cannot stand the sight of them now. Stick with it.
   — Steve B.

November 2, 2002
Cathy, I was 52 when I had my surgery in July 2001. Pre-op weight 260#, 5'3", BMI = 46.1. Now at 15 mo. post-op I'm down to 165#, BMI = 29.2. It's taken me longer to reach my goal than I'd hoped but I know that's partly due to my ongoing battle with carbs. I lost 90# within the first 10 months then the loss slowed way-y-y down. I just recently broke a 4 month plateau that had me prety depressed for awhile. It took me abit longer to get my physical strength back after surgery but feel stronger than ever now. I no longer have high blood pressure and can get down on the ground and roll around with my year old grandson---life is good!
   — LLinderman

November 2, 2002
I had my surgery on January 8, 2001 -- I turned 54 on January 16, 2001. I was 5'3" - 258 lbs. I've lost 120 lbs. My hair was white at that time, I am now thin, and auburn and quite perky. I feel MUCH younger and now I look much younger. GO FOR IT AND DON'T EVEN THINK OF LOOKING BACK! Good luck
   — Betty Todd

November 2, 2002
I had my surgery 2/13/02 at 55. I am now down almost 165 pounds, and I feel 20 years younger. My wife had her surgery 4/5/02 at 54 and she is down 92 pounds. It was the best thing we have done for ourselves. Good luck to you and your results could be and will be great !!!!! I was 394 when I started and I am shooting for 180-190-and right now it looks pretty good that I will make it. You can too!!!!
   — gary B.

November 2, 2002
Hi: I am 49 years old, and had a lap rny on August 21st. I am 5'4" and weighed 230 pounds. Fortunately I had no complications except for a marginal ulcer treated with medication, but it took me a long time to get my energy level back. I would advise anyone over 40 to really expect the first month to be difficult. Once the pain passes, and it does, you just feel energy deprived and depressed. At least I did, and I attribute a great deal of this to my age. I just did not bounce back like a 20 something. My weight loss was not great, but it is getting better in my third month than my second. After all the years of yo-yo dieting and screwing up my metabolism, I think my weight loss may be more difficult than others who are younger. You are starting at a lighter weight than many, which could also effect weight loss. At 10 1/2 weeks post op, I have lost 40 pounds. Some have lost much faster, even at a lower weight. My energy level was not great preop, due to fibromyalgia and a herniated disc. However, at this point, I have more energy than I did preop. It just took about 8 weeks for me. The good thing about being older is that you do not have to worry about chasing little kids around, and can concentrate on yourself. No young mommy is able to do this. I know you will do well. It is just difficult in the beginning. I hope this helps. Good luck. Love Grace
   — Grace H.

November 2, 2002
I am 60 my Dh is 61, we did better than my 33 year old daughter. Read my profile for details.
   — faybay

November 3, 2002
I am 52 and had mine 5/1/02 and am down 140lbs. I started at 465 and have not really had any problems. Good luck.
   — Gary H.

November 3, 2002
I'm 62, had my surgery the end of Aug. The hospital personnel said I did better than "the young ones". I know what can happen if you don't get up and go. My energy level was good all along although I don't have a regular exercise program yet---give me 20 more pounds off and I'll fly! It's 2 months post-op I'm down 34 pounds from 276, have no problems that I can't handle, thanks to obesityhelp, and I'm off all my meds, B.P. and diabetic pills and am highly motivated.
   — Joan B.

November 3, 2002
i had my surgery on 12/18/01 at the age of 51. i am 5'3 & weighed 272 lbs. i had more co-morbids than i did good things. i was ready to go home 2 days after the surgery but my dr wouldnt let me :-). the last time life saving meds passed my lips was the day before surgery. my blood pressure plummetted to normal in the recovery room. when i saw my cardiologist a week post op he discontinued ALL my medications. i was taking 11 pills a day. it has been my experience that people of our generation do much better than the younger people & i believe it is mostly due to our attitude. we grew up in hard times & therefore we deal with pain & setbacks stoically & know that it will get better with time. we also, in most cases, have experienced more health problems & issues & tend to 'go with the flow'. & lastly i believe that our reasons for wanting wls is to be healthier & livelier in our 'middle age' years & not so much to wear bikinis & spandex or attract the opposite sex. i am not saying that these r bad things, but, they r for the 'kids' & rightfully so. good luck to u & god bless u. i say...GO FOR IT!!!!
   — sheryl titone

November 4, 2002
My roommate had this surgery and her roommate in the hospital was 58 she seemed to do pretty good. she just had really weird muscle spasms after surgery that I had not ever heard of anyone having but that was the only difference. Good Luck!!! Oh Yeah it was open rny
   — Peggy A.

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