UrsulasShadow

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/01/19/377731653/when-bariatric-surgerys-benefits-wane-this-procedure-can-help?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20150119

I hope someone out there is listening, since this is a small group, but my concerns are particular to our age. Has anyone else worried about weight loss making you look older? I know that I'll feel younger, and move better, and maybe my knees and feet will feel better, and my breathing will be better. But all that fat plumped out my wrinkles, and gave me boobs. I've been told I look 10-15 years younger than my age. So now I'll look old, and haggard, and seriously droopy. It's not my biggest concern, but I can't help thinking about that. Also...what if it doesn't work? Or work as well as it does on younger women? My metabolism has slowed considerably due to menopause. What are people's experience with that? I haven't even been approved for surgery yet, and my stress level for this is over the top. My stomach is upset all the time, and the diet items I've been trying (all sorts of Protein drinks) have given me diarrhea and gas. I can't imagine what it's going to be like when I have the surgery! Just had to share. If I shared this with any of my friends or family, they'd simply tell me to give up on the idea. Sometimes I think I'm crazy to go through with it. However, I don't want to stroke out at 57, like both my obese grandmothers did. I don't want diabetes, like my father's entire family had, and all died from at young ages. I would like to live to see and enjoy grandchildren, if that is my future. I'd like to travel a little, and see more of the world during retirement.

Well, here I am, 9 months out, well below my initial goal! In some ways it's been easier for me, and others it's been more difficult. The weight came off easily and steadily, which surprised me. And for the longest time, I didn't notice any wrinkles! But then...I hit a point where my energy level was very low, and now I am showing some definite signs of aging. My surgeon upped my Iron intake, and that helped my energy level immensely. It took away that "greyish" complexion I'd seen on other bariatric patients that really scared me. But the wrinkles...ohhhh, the wrinkles! And the sags. But again...I'm so happy! I've gone zip-lining, and horseback-riding, and mountain-climbing, and so many things that I couldn't do when I APPEARED younger. I can wear clothes that normal-sized people wear. I have a waist, and it actually holds up my pants instead of being a roll of fat that pushes my pants down. That amazes me. Hipbones amaze me. Collarbones amaze me. Butt-bones....okay, they actually hurt. But even that amazes me.

I hit the morphine button often during my first day post op, but went home without filling my pain script...never needed it.

Pirate's dream, sunken chest....with 2 little coin purses dangling beneath. Understand I'm 54 and have breastfed 2 children, so perky was never in my future.

Not a chance of a bikini for me. I don't care so much about the tummy, but the saggy boobs would look ridonkulous.

Hi all! 54 here, had my RNY in February and have gone past goal, lost 102 lbs so far! Still firmly in the honeymoon/miracle phase here, can't believe I've been so successful. Thought for sure my age would put me at a disadvantage compared to all those youngsters having surgery at the same time, but strangely, my lifelong experiences with diet and weight loss gave me the advantage here. I know WAY more about the psychology of overeating than my youthful counterparts. I don't have to worry about pregnancy and PMS cravings. I'm already past the age of trying to impress young men with my outer beauty, and have already established that my inner beauty and health is much more important. The downside to all this is that I've had to make adjustments in my social life. Drinking at parties and gatherings has been greatly reduced, which makes me a lot quieter, and some read that as less social. I can't have the obligatory pizza and beer at football parties, bringing my own snacks instead. Also, I sag. Everywhere. Not a ton, not so most people notice, but it makes me look old. My kids think I look much younger, but my clothes hide a lot. I'd love to have a full-body redesign, starting with those chest-pancakes that once filled out a D cup, but now look silly in a B, unless amply shaped and padded. But after 2 breast fed children, that was bound to happen anyway. I am so glad I did this, and none of the down sides even come close to the up sides. Arthritis reduced, BP reduced, A1C back to normal, off CPAP machine, no more plantar fasciitis, and I can shop in the NICE stores for clothing! My feet have even gone down a half size, so I can sometimes wear size 10 shoes! (Those with large feet understand the struggle).

I'm 54, had my surgery on Valentine's Day, and I'm down 71 lbs. I think a lot has to do with how much you have to lose, and how active you are. After 4 1/2 months of steady loss, I've hit my first plateau, and it has nothing to do with my age, in my opinion. It's because I'm not as busy at work since the spring rush has ended, and I'm starting to eat more. I'm still eating healthy foods, but I've added in a few snacks. That has to end if I hope to reach goal!

Another lover of MyFitnessPal app here! ????

Not at all. The only reason I was put on liquids was because I hadn't lost any weight pre-surgery. The standard in my surgeon's practice was a modified regular diet pre-surgery, with liquids only the day before.

I had to actually go into the office, sit in an exam room, and MAKE the scheduler call the nutritionist WHILE I listened, in order to get the paperwork straightened out. I had her put it on speakerphone so I could hear the conversation. The scheduler swore up and down that she had asked the nutritionist to fix the paperwork, but it was clear from the reaction of both that my 2 MONTHS of struggling with them to fix a simple mistake on the records had been ignored by the scheduler entirely. I was livid.

I thought it would only take 3 months for me to go through the process...turned out to be 8 months! Started in Boston, but they put me through a lot of unnecessary requirements that I'm still convinced were placed on me because my insurance paid a lot less than other types (an office worker had mentioned that early on). So I had to start over with another program. Best choice I ever made! Persistence. Keep calling. Keep pushing. For some people it seems to come easy. For others of us we really have to work at it. If you want it, and are ready...push!

I fear loose skin, too, and that sagging belly. And I'm much older, so it's likely to be much more dramatic for me. But that didn't stop me! It should really scare you to be so young and on the verge of serious, lifelong health problems. Get healthy NOW, and deal with the cosmetic issues at your leisure later...if you even care to then! Likely you'll be so pleased with the results and so happy to be rid of the bulk that it will be less of a concern later.

Bariatric advantage 500mg chewy bites, Tropical Orange only for me! They are my treat. Carry them in my pocket all day at work, get nice and warm and soft, and I never forget them.

I love turkey rolled up in a piece of alpine lace Swiss. I also bring 1/4 cup part skim ricotta mixed with sugar-free caramel syrup and a dab of imitation rum extract.

I went through carb withdrawal. Energy crashed, head pounded. It gets better, but my energy level didn't return until about a month after surgery. Now I'm feeling as good as I did when I was 40! Can't wait until it gets even better...I'm over halfway to goal!

Can't overstate enough about those fluids and protein! It's the hardest part for me, getting all those fluids in. I'm 8 weeks out, and if I'm a little light on the fluids, I get bound up. If I'm light on protein, weight loss and energy drop off. I am at the point where I can put benefited in my water bottle, but more importantly I have to actually drink ALL the water! ^Benefiber

Oh I can relate! I'm just menopausal, so combine the surgery with that, and you'll understand why I can't even remember my name most days. I really hope it gets a little better, because I HATE being this stupid.

I could smell my OWN breath, and it was horrible! And everything smelled much too pungent. And tasted weird. I'm at 8 weeks. All back to normal now.

I'm 54 and had my surgery 8 weeks ago. Doing very well, lost 43 lbs and feeling a lot better! Back doing the work I love but couldn't do for years because of my weight (garden center). Finally on track, and wish I had done this years ago.

I don't want to insult anyone, or make them feel bad, but after attending a support group meeting today, I noticed a few of the attendees had a very grayish, unhealthy looking skin tone. The people themselves varied in weight and appeared otherwise healthy. Is this some side effect of weight loss surgery? It worries me.

I did that with salmon. Too dry, forgot to chew. It got "stuck". I called my surgeon and they said to give it 24 hours , it should pass. I hurried it along with some papaya enzymes from pharmacy. I felt better within 12 hours.

That does seem like a lot of calories. And my NUT and program emphasize cutting OUT the carbs as much as possible and focusing on protein first. We are told to specifically limit winter squashes and potatoes, no rice, no pasta, no bread. I agree with above poster...why eat the foods that got us here to begin with?