Tough on older guys?? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Captain Hornet · 07-03-2008, 08:46 PM

I have been approved for my bypass on 7-21-08 or in about two and a half weeks. When I eat I pig out because I usually never get over being hungry. I have asked about if the hunger well go away, if ever. I have read where people have had their bypass and after six months they are still hungry, I don't want that. Also, as you can see from my age, I am over 65. I am a retired Airline Pilot that was forced out by the age 60 rule. Than right after I quit flying, they found I had Diabetes. So I am worried about how surgery well hit this old body of mine. Anyone have any thoughts?? Captain Hornet

Toony · 07-03-2008, 09:10 PM

I'm not that far behind you in age... Believe me - You will NOT feel hungry! You will NOT be able to "pig out" anymore... I'm 5 months out - so maybe hunger pangs will return yet... but I'm learning how to eat, how much to eat now... and that should re-train me for the times to come! best wishes to you!

katie

MiladyB · 07-03-2008, 09:30 PM

Hi welcome to the forum.

In regards to hunger after surgery I can tell you that some level of hunger usually does return. But it isn't the same. I'm 2 1/2 years postop and though on occasions I do feel hunger it isn't that nagging feeling that I used to have. The truth is, if I get really busy during the day I can forget to eat. At that point my pouch feels empty and I can tell I should have something to eat but it certainly isn't as intense as the past.

You do have to realize though, that this is only a tool. There are ways of mis-using your tool and getting around it. If you don't follow the pouch rules and if you graze throughout the day or drink high calorie liquid drinks throughout the day, you can put weight back on.

So what you have to realize is that this will bring life style changes. Changes that aren't just during the weight loss period, but changes for life.

In regards to your age? You really should do fine. Just make sure you follow the rules your surgeon gives you. Because of the surgery I'm actually so much healthier now at the age of 52 than I was 20 years ago. All my co-morbidities are gone including my Diabetes.

Baja Big Dog · 07-03-2008, 11:44 PM

Hey Capitan, read this thread, it will tell you how I am doping three months out, "pig out", that almost make me what to vomit thinking about it!!

Not eating..

momwow · 07-04-2008, 12:01 AM

I just wanted to say a friend of mine is 66 and had surgery June 2 and is doing great. He has lost 50 lbs and he also had diabetes and other issues. This surgery has been a life saver for him and he says he doesn't feel hunger at all. He is off his diabetes and high bp meds. I don't really feel hunger but sort of an empty feeling at times.

Vim&Vigour · 07-04-2008, 05:02 AM

Good Morning Captain!
Firstly, welcome aboard TTF! A great support forum! You'll see, you'll be flying a different machine in no time at all! Have confidence in yourself. You are doing something great for YOU yourself!
Retirement is always something of a "facing up" phase and not necessarily an easy one. I suppose you are used to a life of professional discipline but once retired became rudderless so to speak, hence gaining the weight. The tool from this surgery enables you to regain command of your body/machine. Psychologically and technically I guess you are in a better place than many of us to deal with the aftermath of this superb surgery. I suppose if you study an internal body map and the intricacies of the functioning of organs, you can perceive the technical functioning of your gastric bypass and the eating mechanism will make sense thereupon.
As to age, a few of us on here are older. The only applicable downside to our age group I believe is a slightly slower recovery and less retraction speed on our old skin. But 65 is no age and if you are young mentally, seeking to improve your health and fitness and looking forward to a "new" life, then there is every reason you should have success. A lot of it is in the mind and on the treadmill!
Best wishes and again welcome!
Cheers,
Vim in London, UK

shereeks · 07-04-2008, 05:25 AM

Hi Cappy! Welcome aboard!

Rest assured that you won't be hungry for at least six months after your surgery. From then on I found I did get hungry again but the trick is that you should have learnt good habits in those first six months to stand you in good stead of the next six.

It's absolutely the best decision I have ever made in my life and I hope that it will be for you too.

Corrine · 07-04-2008, 08:51 AM

I hope that inbetween her busy schedule, Claire finds time to post to this thread.

At just over 9 months out, I still have no sensation of hunger. I eat when the clock tells me to but it certainly doesn't have the same appeal that it once had.

But it's a small trade for the life it's given me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Hornet

....I am worried about how surgery well hit this old body of mine. Anyone have any thoughts??

Of course, the decision can only be yours but maybe you need to look at how that "old body" of yours is going to cope if you don't have surgery.

Claire-in-Texas · 07-04-2008, 11:51 AM

Captain, my Captain, my suggestion to you is to totally embrace this process, if you decide that it is the right thing for you.

Look at my age.

This is not about a diet. It's about changing the way you think of food. The wonderful part of it is that you have an opportunity post op for a number of months to think about what caused you to be overweight (while you do not experience hunger), and deal with those issues. It's painful, but it is well worth it.

HUNGER DOES RETURN. It does, it does, it does. However, you will hav a pouch that will tell you when it is full, and if you listen to it, you will be fine. If you take the time to embrace all of the delicious food available to you, there will come a time when you will eat it and enjoy everything again (or almost everything).

As Beth said above, the hunger IS different, BUT that hunger can fool you if you don't work on yourself and your emotions during this process. People can gain weight back. It's a new life, a new way of relating to food.

My story - since we are similar in age - I was in a wheelchair in 2/07, horrific back pain due to degenerative spine disease (spinal stenosis). I started my journey of education at that time. In April I had the surgery. In May I began physical therapy for my back. Now I can walk endlessly, have no back pain, and feel like a kid again.

It was the right thing for me - is it right for you? Only you can decide that. Focusing on the food/hunger issue is not, in my opinion, what should be focused on. It is the entire journey that is the key - and it continues to be a journey, not a destination.

I wish you the very best - for an older person it is nothing short of miraculous. I don't have my life back - I have a new life, a joyful life. I wish you joy.

A book to get: "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies"

Captain Hornet · 07-04-2008, 08:36 PM

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I know this is the best thing for me and I am excited about the results. I really miss my flying and the FAA well never relicense me with Diabetes. I expect this to fix that problem and after I get to a more respectable weight I can reapply for my license. I think I would enjoy trying to teach flying, both the classroom part and the in the aircraft part. I know several older people who have recently taken up flying and they have become very good at it. I think I would enjoy being the Senior Flight Instructor. Next week for me, getting some instruction and pre surgery test done. I'm excited, Get out of the way, here I come, Captain Hornet.