Age and surgery - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Vickichacha · 01-27-2009, 04:40 AM

Has anyone around my age -56-had the Gastric Sleeve Surgery? I am a bit worried about my age at time of surgery.
I am finding this site very encouraging but I am finding it difficult to think in pounds rather than kilograms.I will need to get my calculator out!
I keep on daydreaming about my weight loss but I haven't factored in that I won't look the same as I did at 21.I can't imagine what I will look like.

Vicci · 01-27-2009, 07:56 AM

Hi, there are many people who have had the surgery around your age so im sure they'd be happy to give you peace of mind but i just thought i'd say that there are 2.2lbs in a kg so as i weigh 234lbs its dived by 2.2 and i weigh around 107kgs or 16st 10lbs...... its so confusing!!

Vicci x

A New Life · 01-27-2009, 09:00 AM

Vicci, I had gastric bypass surgery about 6 weeks ago and I am 59. I am feeling fine and very happy with myself and the surgery. Judging from the other posts I have seen, most people feel the same. Good luck with your surgery, it will change your life for the better!

Corrine · 01-27-2009, 09:07 AM

I was 52 when I had the RNY. Claire (Claire-in-Texas) was around 66 and if anyone can tell you about the positive changes WLS has brought about, it's that little lady! Just search her name and read her threads and posts - they are inspirational to say the least.

We were on the T-T Cruise in December - you can see a picture of us together here Age is no barrier to being a hottie!

I don't know that I'd want to look the same as I did when I was 21 cause I was a puffy gal back then too. Here's a before pic. ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass and Lap Band® Forum - Corrine's Album: before and after

I've got a bit of loose skin but nothing I didn't expect after a loss of 141lb (64kg). It certainly doesn't bother me enough to look into plastics.

My only regret is that I didn't have this surgery years ago. It's given me a quality of life that I had only dreamt about. Heck! It's given me a life fullstop!

Vickichacha · 01-27-2009, 03:38 PM

Thank you for your support.This has been an awful New Year so far and probably not the best time to make life changing decisions but with your support I do feek it is worth doing NOW!Corinne your photos are excellent.WOW!

I met a very brave young kid a few years ago who asked me to be his support person while he had his final battle with cancer.The cancer finally got him on Saturday-a day after his 14th birthday.I've spent most of the past 6 weeks beside him or doing all the pre-op stuff.My brain is a fog!!!Tomorrow is his funeral and once that is over I can get on with the pledge I made to him to get fitter and thinner!! My op was one of his and my priorities so I can't chicken out now.

My husnand hates my exess weight and takes every opportunity to tell me.Can't wait to be slimmer than him.Once he retires it will be revenge time as I think he will turn into a little fattie!!!Mean aren't I ?

Aviator · 01-30-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vickichacha

Has anyone around my age -56-had the Gastric Sleeve Surgery? I am a bit worried about my age at time of surgery.
I am finding this site very encouraging but I am finding it difficult to think in pounds rather than kilograms.I will need to get my calculator out!
I keep on daydreaming about my weight loss but I haven't factored in that I won't look the same as I did at 21.I can't imagine what I will look like.

I had VSG last month. Read about my WLS Journey in:

Aviator's Log Book

I am your age, and I highly recommed the surgery. I had no issues with complications, and was back at work in less than a week. Not quite a month post-op now and Im down 18 kilos or almost 40 lbs or 2-1/3 stone. LMAO.
Good luck and stay in touch.

Claire-in-Texas · 01-30-2009, 06:58 PM

Don't let age stand in your way! Corrine is right - the quality of life to be achieved from these life-changing surgeries are something to behold!!!

Best of luck!

Vickichacha · 01-31-2009, 12:21 AM

I am just wondering...as always...did you find it difficult to stick to the pre-op shakes? I am worried that the dr will postpone my surgery because I am only getting into the pre-op diet two weeks before op.I have almost kept to the 2 shakes per day but then lose it at night when I cook for the family.I thought I would still lose weight but I am the same weight as before.
Did you guys lose a lot of weight pre-op? When I look at how much weight that is lost by a month pre-op it seems amazing?How strange does it seem?
Some of my concerns are:
1. When I get to live this longer life will I start to forget to eat and drink at all and not be able to care for myself?
2.Is it true that once the gland that emits hunger hormones is removed you don't feel hungry.Despite my fear above I don't want to feel hungry ever again!!!
3.I am scared I will look older once the padding on the face is gone.Do you feel that you look older?
4.I love my bottle of wine when out with the girls at lunch.Don't do it often but REALLY enjoy it.Don't want to sit there feeling like a shag on a rock.I can deal with the smaller meal but do you really have problems drinking even sipping small amounts until 30 mins after a meal????Or does this come under the heading of "changing attitudes towards food and drink"-FOREVER?

PS: where do I get that weight loss avator from-the one that looks like a train track-or in your case Aviator a runway?

Claire-in-Texas · 01-31-2009, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vickichacha

I am just wondering...as always...did you find it difficult to stick to the pre-op shakes? I am worried that the dr will postpone my surgery because I am only getting into the pre-op diet two weeks before op.I have almost kept to the 2 shakes per day but then lose it at night when I cook for the family.I thought I would still lose weight but I am the same weight as before.
Did you guys lose a lot of weight pre-op? When I look at how much weight that is lost by a month pre-op it seems amazing?How strange does it seem?
Some of my concerns are:
1. When I get to live this longer life will I start to forget to eat and drink at all and not be able to care for myself?
2.Is it true that once the gland that emits hunger hormones is removed you don't feel hungry.Despite my fear above I don't want to feel hungry ever again!!!
3.I am scared I will look older once the padding on the face is gone.Do you feel that you look older?
4.I love my bottle of wine when out with the girls at lunch.Don't do it often but REALLY enjoy it.Don't want to sit there feeling like a shag on a rock.I can deal with the smaller meal but do you really have problems drinking even sipping small amounts until 30 mins after a meal????Or does this come under the heading of "changing attitudes towards food and drink"-FOREVER?

PS: where do I get that weight loss avator from-the one that looks like a train track-or in your case Aviator a runway?

I'll be straight up with you. WAY too much worrying going on. You are making this more complicated than it has to be.

It's very simple, at your stage. YOU HAVE TO WANT THIS MORE THAN ANYTHING. Yes, that's the unvarnished truth. You have to want to do anything it takes to improve the quality of your life.

You have to be willing to change your lifestyle to adjust to what is necessary. You have to leave behind all the activities that made you unhappy.

It made me VERY happy to eat three donuts. I don't touch them anymore, but my life is much fuller than the donuts made me. And I don't feel in the least bit deprived.

I would think a bit as to whether you are ready for this. You are putting a lot of fences up.

And believe me I am being your friend by telling you t his.

The very best of luck to you - just remember, your attitude toward this, and anything, is what will make you successful.

Best of luck,

Aviator · 01-31-2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vickichacha

I am just wondering...as always...did you find it difficult to stick to the pre-op shakes? I am worried that the dr will postpone my surgery because I am only getting into the pre-op diet two weeks before op.I have almost kept to the 2 shakes per day but then lose it at night when I cook for the family.I thought I would still lose weight but I am the same weight as before.
Did you guys lose a lot of weight pre-op? When I look at how much weight that is lost by a month pre-op it seems amazing?How strange does it seem?
Some of my concerns are:
1. When I get to live this longer life will I start to forget to eat and drink at all and not be able to care for myself?
2.Is it true that once the gland that emits hunger hormones is removed you don't feel hungry.Despite my fear above I don't want to feel hungry ever again!!!
3.I am scared I will look older once the padding on the face is gone.Do you feel that you look older?
4.I love my bottle of wine when out with the girls at lunch.Don't do it often but REALLY enjoy it.Don't want to sit there feeling like a shag on a rock.I can deal with the smaller meal but do you really have problems drinking even sipping small amounts until 30 mins after a meal????Or does this come under the heading of "changing attitudes towards food and drink"-FOREVER?

PS: where do I get that weight loss avator from-the one that looks like a train track-or in your case Aviator a runway?

Vicki - my runway is called a "ticker" and it is avialable at Graphical Tickers and Trackers: Weight Loss, Trying To Conceive, Pregnancy...

I agree with Claire. To be successful, this effort has to be more important than ANY food or drink event. I love wine, yes. But it is gone for a year. Substituted with Arnold Palmers (half iced tea half sugar free lemonade).

Regarding #1 - Yes during VSG surgery they also take the part of your brain that remembers when to eat.......um....NOT!

you have to eat six meals per day, so it requires a bit of planning. I still eat out almost every meal, but my consumption is a fraction of what it was before.

#2 - My stomach still feels empty when it is empty, and I dont forget to eat. I just dont get that ravenous feeling, now that part of my stomach is gone.

#3 - Most of us look younger when the wt is gone - not older. Looking fit is way sexier than looking fat. It is a Universal Truth.

#4 - I have to give up wine (and other alcohol) for a year. After that, in moderation. (Beer, and I love beer, is gone forever, along with all carbonated beverages.) Losing 125 lbs and getting my life back is more important to me than the wine and beer.

And yes, relax! Don't worry, be happy!