Question:
Are there not many women over 40 successfully having this surgery ?
I will be 46 y/o when I have my surgery 6/02. I have been all over the internet doing research, yet I find it difficult to locate results of women over 40 who are satisfied with their health results from this surgery. Not that I'm finding negative results, it's just that MOST of the clients are in their 30's. I need to know if it is a problem for people over the age of 40. Thank you. — Elizabeth P. (posted on December 27, 2001)
December 27, 2001
44 and feeling fine! I can't say that I've had that big burst
of energy some speak of...yet!
— lessofme170
December 27, 2001
Im 45 and am 2 weeks post op and feel good . I know of several others over
40 that have had the surgery and are pleased. My sister is thinking of
having it and shes going to be 50 in January. You will do well too.
— JOYCE C.
December 27, 2001
I turned 45 this December. I will be 1yr post-op on 1/3/02 and have lost
140#. I feel great. My only regret is not doing it my 30's! Don't
hesitate based on age. It's never too late to feel, look and act better.
Good luck.
— Molly W.
December 27, 2001
42 when I had the surgery, now 43 and in the best shape I have been in
since 1984. I only wish it had been available to me when I was in my 30's.
— merri B.
December 27, 2001
Hi, I was (and am) 50 when I had my surgery July 24th, 2001. I am thank
G-d doing fine. I have lost about 110 pounds and am off 7 medications and
a CPAP. Many of the surgeries that my surgeon does are with people in
their 40's and 50's and into the 60's. Please feel free to email me if you
have any questions or would like more indepth information. Best of
everything to you!
— Karen Renee
December 27, 2001
— Denise W.
December 27, 2001
I am 42 and had the surgery in March of this year. I am in the best health
that I have been in since high school! My only regret, not doing it sooner!
I am very pleased with the results. If there is anything I can answer for
you or if you just want to chat, email me. [email protected]
— Ginger J.
December 27, 2001
I was 45 when I had my surgery in April of 2000. I am now 47 and I have
lost 175 pounds. I, too, am in the best shape I have been in for decades.
It has worked wonderfully for me. I am now able to do all the things I want
to, my health is great and I have, literally, no pain at all. I, like many
others, have no regrets except that I did not have it done earlier. I do
not feel my age was a factor in any way. I had no complications and no
nutrition or health problems. I am within 10 pounds of my ideal weight and
am half the woman I used to be! :)
— Kathy W.
December 27, 2001
I am 52 and my surgery was 9-11-01. I have had no complications at all, am
down more than 86 pounds (I only weigh at the doc's so I don't know
exactly), and I have shrunk from a 22-24 to a size 14. I was not in much
pain at all post-op and only threw up when I was learning which bite should
have been 'enough.' I follow all my doc's instructions and swim for an hour
and a half 5 days a week. I guess I could be happier but I swear I don't
know how. I have developed a strange facial tic my adult children call
'perma-grin.'
— phoebe
December 27, 2001
I am 45 and eagerly awaiting insurance approval, my surgeon says I am NOT
too old at all, my PCP has referred several women who are much older than
me to surgeons who do this surgery. He says it adds years of quality living
to our life expectancies! I say go for it at any age! Love Donna
— donnalawbabe
December 27, 2001
Well, I'm 40 right on the nose, and I am EXTREMELY satisfied with the
results of my surgery (OK, I was 39 for about a month after surgery, but
close enough!) I still have about 70 lbs. to lose, but since May 2001 I
have lost 116 lbs., I am off all medications for diabetes and hypertension,
and I feel so much better I can't begin to tell you. I used to feel like a
97-year-old lady; now I feel better than I have since my 20s. Also, I just
"angeled" for a woman who was talking to her adult granddaughter
on the phone when I went to visit her. She must be in her 60s and is
looking forward to a long, healthy life as a result of this surgery. Good
luck to you!
— Mary Ellen W.
December 27, 2001
I'm 41 and 2 1/2 weeks post-op. I've already lost 19 pounds at 2 weeks! I
don't think that 40 is too old at all! I know of quite a few that are over
50. I guess it comes down to how old is too old to make your life better?
For me, I just wish I'd done it sooner. God Bless!
— Lisa U.
December 27, 2001
Oh honey you sure didn't look too hard!!LOL we're here!! I was 50 . This
question has been posted many times , look it up in our archives. good
luck and God bless.
— Rose A.
December 27, 2001
I'm 41 and 14 months post op. I am at my personal goal down from a size 26
to a size 8. I am off all diabetes meds and feel better than I EVER HAVE!!
I host a very large Support Group and MANY of our members are at least 40
and some are well over 40. I wouldn't trade this miraculous experience for
anything!! I'm 41 and feel like I'm truly experiencing all the joys of
life for the very first time. My husband and our "almost grown"
sons think it's great too. Don't sell yourself short - 40 is a GREAT age
to have this surgery. Good luck to you!!!
— ronascott
December 27, 2001
I was 54 when I had the operation...and I looked it. I had
RNY open on 1/8/01 and down 98 lbs. I've cut my hair really
short, had it colored and I get compliments from guys all the
time now. Before, even as big as I was (258 - 5'3"), I was
"invisible." I feel great!!! I would do it again without
a second thought.
— Betty Todd
December 27, 2001
I'm 45 and 6 months post op. I've lost 93 pounds and feel great. I've
NEVER been sick, not once. I think my doc put a one-way valve at the top
of my pouch! Off my blood pressure meds, went from a 28 to a 14, and FEEL
younger than 45 now for sure (just ask my husband!!!!LOL)
— beachbum6264
December 27, 2001
I am now 55, had my surgery at 54. Had no big complications after surgery.
I am down 77 lbs in 6 months. I feel and look great! Take time to research
all..the more you know the better off you will be. ***huggs***
— m911girl
December 27, 2001
BIRTHDAY IS FEBRUARY 24, 1951. SURGERY WAS FEBRUARY 23, 2000 ... DAY
BEFORE MY 49TH. BIRTHDAY. I WAS 419 POUNDS. I'VE LOST 231 POUNDS!!!!!!
NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER!!!!!!!!
HAVE GONE FROM 10 PILLS IN THE MORNING AND 9 AT NIGHT TO NO MEDICATIONS AT
ALL!!!!!
PERSONAL GOAL ... I'M HOPING ... TO BE RIGHT AT 140 POUNDS. HAVE GONE FROM
A VERY TIGHT SIZE 54 STRETCH JEANS TO A VERY LOOSE SIZE 12 NON-STRETCH
JEANS NOW.
HOPE THIS HELPS YOU.
GOOD LUCK IN THIS MOST WONDERFUL ADVENTURE TO A BETTER HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE.
— TERRY L.
December 27, 2001
This is a good question for me to answer as today is my 43rd birthday! I
had surgery 16 months ago and have done great. I have gone from 294 pounds
to 163 and bought a size 10 dress for the firs time today. I continue to
have a lot of orthopedic problems but know they would have been much worse
if I hadn't had the surgery. My sleep apnea is GONE and my fibromyalgia is
much better. I would do this surgery again in a heartbeat if I had to I am
that happy with the results.
— georgiacarol
December 27, 2001
Thanks to all of you who responded sooo quickly. I am new to all of this,
and it means alot to me that the support group such as yourselves are
there, virtually all of the time. You are all genuine...ANGELS! Thanks
again!
— Elizabeth P.
December 27, 2001
I was 60 years and 12 days old on Dec 14, 2001 when I had open RNY in
Albuquerque, never vomited, no diahrea and seem to be able to eat
everything. I am looking forward to a brand new life at 60! Keep the
faith!
— Kathryn K.
December 27, 2001
i am exactly 50 years & 6 mos old. my surgery was 12/18/01 open
rny/silastic band. i feel great!!!
— sheryl titone
December 27, 2001
Hi! I am 45, 3.5 mos post-op RNY, starting weight 289, currently 222
(-67!!). You might read my profile to see all the details... I am
grateful for this surgery! Being 142 lbs overweight (for my frame) was
making me a walking TIME BOMB! Mortality rate 50% -dying of
comorbidities like: diabetes related issues, cardio-vascular diseases,deep
vein thrombosis (=blood clots) etc., the mortality rate for the Open RNY
is 2% ! How could I not choose this "life-saving" surgery to
allow me to see my 9 year old son grow up?
— blank first name B.
December 28, 2001
There are many of us "older" women having the surgery. In fact,
there's a group specifically targeted at the over 50 crowd. I'm over 50
and frequently the oldest person in the Chat room, but I've heard of people
in their 60s having the surgery. <p> I think the reason you see more
younger people is because the older generation doesn't spend as much time
on computers as younger people do. Some do because of their jobs, but many
don't have computers in their homes.
— Sami S.
December 28, 2001
I'm 45 and had the Duodenal Switch along with the removal of a giant
ovarian cyst and both of my ovaries. Have recovered with no problems. I
have lost almost 150 pounds and feel great!
— Kathleen F.
December 29, 2001
I had Lap RNY two months ago at age 49 and turned 50 the next week. I'm
early out, but have no regrets whatsoever. I'd do it again. I'm on my way
to the rest of my life and my goal is to get rid of the obesity. I just
got an e-mail from a lady aged 52 who is 10 months out and has lost over
100#. Good luck to you in making your decision. I wish I would have done
this surgery 10 years ago.
— blank first name B.
June 30, 2002
I am 41 and had my surgery on May 21....I had VBG and really had no
complications and really not much pain either...I have had some challenges
in the eating dept. but I have only vomited 3 times and so I feel I have
had an easy time thus far....
— Susan W.
July 15, 2003
I'm 46 and 3 mos post-op and haven't had one surgical complication but have
the general adjustments to change in lifestyle as anyone - I don't think
age matters there.
— Judy N.
July 15, 2003
I was 67 when I had my surgery -- I'm 69 now and still losing. When I was
in my forties my motto was, "Too old for what?" Oh, my forties
were wonderful. Nina in Maine
— [Deactivated Member]
January 18, 2004
I'm now 47 and was 46 in June '03 when I had an open RNY. I've had no
complications, and am healthier than I've been in 20 years! I'm now -104
lbs. and feeling great.
— MDGordon
January 18, 2004
I was 55 when I had surgery. I'm not a good judge of age but I'd say about
half the people in the support group I attend are over 40 and many of them
are over 50.
— SCbabe B.
January 18, 2004
I was 49 when I had my LAP RNY and I'm very satisfied.
— Cathy S.
January 5, 2005
I am 51yrs. old and had my wls June 29, 2004.I was terrified of living the
rest of my life morbidly obese. I went from a size 24 to a 14 in 6 months.
The wls has made me now look forward to the rest of my life instead of
dreading it with complications of diabetes and high blood pressure. Before
wls my self esteem was in the toilet. I think saving wls for the under 40
,or at least only promoting for the under 40 is not only ignorant, but
cruel! If anyone needs the grace and blessing of wls it is us boomers!
Over the hill? No , at 51 I am at the top of the hill and ready to take off
and fly! Now I feel 50ish, foxy and fabulous!
— kay T.
June 28, 2005
I am a 68 year old male, and others my age having this done in Huntington
WV
— Carl C.
July 26, 2005
I am 49 yr old and 15 months post op. I have done great and would be a
mess without surgery. I lost 125# so far and still dropping slowly. I am so
pleased and active now. Age is not a reason to avoid surgery if your Dr
advises it.
— Lauretta
July 27, 2005
I just turned 49 and am 14 months post-op. With the exception of a minor
stricture at about 5 weeks out, I have had an amazing relatively
complication free journey. I reached my goal by 10 months post op, and now
maintain at about 14 lbs UNDER my goal weight. I feel & look younger
than I have in 20 years!! Wish you much success!
— Shepherd
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