WLS and Seniors

[BJean 16]

Wow it's good to find others in my age bracket even though you all haven't been real active on this thread.

I had a rough first week or so and I'm 5 weeks out from my revision from band to sleeve. But even during the first couple of tough weeks I have been delighted that I did this. The band was just not for me. I could never get it to work and as far as I'm concerned anyone considering getting the Lap Band needs to know that it's a crap shoot whether it will work well enough for you to get to goal.

My daughter just got a video back from her daughter's school skit night. During the whole thing you can hear me clearing my throat or coughing. That was from the band. I don't do that now. I'm so glad to be rid of that thing!

But better yet, I am so happy that my stomach is smaller and I am not hungry all the time (I was with the band) and I can only eat a small amount of food or drink at one sitting. If only I could have had this at age 48 or 50!! But I'm thrilled that I have it now and I only hope that my success will be as good as so many of the stories I read on this website. I started out being scared to death that I would have a similar story with this as I did with the band. I lost 35 lbs. quickly with the band and then the weight loss stopped and I struggled from then on trying to just keep that 35 lbs. off. And I threw up all the time.

The longer I have the sleeve the more confident I am that this is the absolutely right choice for me and the more confident I am that I will get to my goal of 130!

As for health issues, I am able to take a walk now and enjoy it. I haven't been able to walk for years because of my bad knees. I have joined Curves and I'm enjoying that already - 5 weeks out from surgery. And I've been planting flowers like a mad woman and that was not an option before or after the band. And I've gone from taking 300 mg. of Wellbutrin XL to 75mg. of regular Wellbutrin (an antidepressant.) And I'm HAPPY! YaY!

Best of luck to all of you in your journey to health and beauty.

Edited June 2, 2010 by BJean

[Lee 19]

Hi BJean,

I'm so glad you feel that you made a great decision in revising from Band to Sleeve. Isn't it wonderful to be so optimistic of a wonderful outcome? I wish I had done this years ago!

[Itstime 0]

Hi you two, I am a senior sleever but certainly don't feel it now. BJean, you don't say your age but I'm sure I have you beat there and wondered if there were many on here also my age and if I was doing this too late. But since then I have gathered there are several "seniors" and doing very well also. I have only one regret and that is I didn't have this surgery done 10 years ago, but then I probably would have had the band surgery and not been happy. I think I am losing slower than most, 51lbs so far, but I know I will get to my goal weight of 140 atleast and maybe be easier to keep the loose skin issues to a minimum. I feel so good!! So glad you have smoothed out and are on your way.

[Lee 19]

I had my surgery at 59. My surgeon told me that over 50 we need to exercise 1 hour a day to have the metabolism of someone in their 30's that is sedentary.

So it may take a little longer to get to goal. That's ok, let's all enjoy the journey!

[stoongal 10]

I had my surgery at 59. My surgeon told me that over 50 we need to exercise 1 hour a day to have the metabolism of someone in their 30's that is sedentary.

So it may take a little longer to get to goal. That's ok, let's all enjoy the journey!

That could be why I am losing so slowly, after 8 months out, still only 64 lbs lost since surgery. My hubby is happy with that, says he doesn't want me to lose too quickly. Of course it could be the grazing I sometimes do and the cereals I have been eating as snack food! ahem!!

Anyway, feeling like a spring chicken again as I am probably the most senior here at 72! Feel so much younger than I did when I was 244 lbs. (highest weight) and I am walking, working more, have more energy and loving life once again.

So goal is being pushed farther away but that is OK with me!

Cheers,

Donna:thumbup:

[CavyGuy 0]

Well I'm 68 and looking forward to seeing Dr. Aceves in the OR on June 30. I'm scared as heck and wonder if I'm doing the right thing, but the alternatives, stroke or heart attack, do loom huge for me in the future, according to my PCP, if I don't get this weight off. I take him seriously and so I am proceeding. Wish me luck! Thank you.

[Itstime 0]

CavyGuy, you are in good company and we will all be rooting for you. I know you are making the right decision for your health and you will love Dr. Aceves and his staff.

Good to hear from you Stoongal and your new pics are so pretty!

O.K. Lee, an hour you say??? Guess I need to up the exercise. I do Water aerobics that feels so good and then 30 mins of treadmill but only 3 x week. I need to up that. So far my abdomen is shrinking nicely, only little sag top of my thighs and upper arms little crinkly but I am working on that. I haven't felt this good in years!!

[Lee 19]

I was surprised to hear 1 hour a day as my plan recommends 30 minutes daily to everyone. It's true that many of us had very slow metabolism in the first place, so 30 minutes just isn't enough. When I walk fro an hour and get in over 12,000 steps a day on my pedometer, I'm more likely to see a few ounces lost the next day. I tend to stay the same weight for around 10 days, then drop a pound. Very frustrating, but certainly not as frustrating as dieting forever and not losing at all. I'd like my weight to drop more quickly but not willing to do more than an hour a day at this point.

I haven't fallen prey to the snacking, but I'm only 3.5 months out and my Protein meals take care of my hunger. I just won't/don't keep anything carby in my house to turn to.

[birthdaygift2010 0]

Hello,

My surgery is tomorrow, nine days before my 70th birthday. I am a little nervous, but the excitement makes up for that. I have not had a negative word from any of my friends, and I have been very open about the surgery. Our daughter had RNY three and half years ago and has lost over 200 pounds and has inspired many people. My entire family has been supportive, and helpful. My husband has a rare brain disease, and I am a 24/7 caregiver. Very difficult, sad and lonesome at times. But, my family, and many friends are filling in for me, along with hired personell from the company Comfort Keepers. I know I am doing the right thing. I look forward to another 15-20+ years of healthy and much thinner life ahead of me.:001_tt2:

I will keep checking this forum, and perhaps it will be more active. Thanks for listening!!

[pnw218 14]

Hello,

My surgery is tomorrow, nine days before my 70th birthday. I am a little nervous, but the excitement makes up for that. I have not had a negative word from any of my friends, and I have been very open about the surgery. Our daughter had RNY three and half years ago and has lost over 200 pounds and has inspired many people. My entire family has been supportive, and helpful. My husband has a rare brain disease, and I am a 24/7 caregiver. Very difficult, sad and lonesome at times. But, my family, and many friends are filling in for me, along with hired personell from the company Comfort Keepers. I know I am doing the right thing. I look forward to another 15-20+ years of healthy and much thinner life ahead of me.:001_tt2:

I will keep checking this forum, and perhaps it will be more active. Thanks for listening!!

Congrats to you! I am glad that you are putting yourself first for a little while . And I am sure your husband would totally support your decision, if he is not able to now.

You could easily have 20 or more years left in this world and definitely deserve to enjoy it to the fullest!

Three out of my four grandparents lived into their mid to late 80's ... so I am hoping for the best for myself!

BJean ~ my 2cents. We all kinda grab a goal weight when we go into this surgery. I did try to use some average weight charts for someone of my height and a medium build, and a healthy BMI to pick 128. Will I get there? I have no idea. My goal before I ever considered surgery was just to get back into single digit jeans. I bought 8's yesterday and currently weigh 153. I would love to get into the 130's or 140's. I picked 128 because it sounded exciting. LOL However, I also look at friends who have either lost weight to get that small or have always been that small - and many of them don't look very healthy and/or have lots of wrinkles. I don't want that and will stay a little heavier to avoid it.

My point. Maybe losing 64 pounds is where your body is healthy and happy. I also have Snacks when I want them. I think that is mentally healthy : )

60+ pounds is great! :wink1:

[sleevegenie 0]

congratulations, i think its great you are taking this positive step to have a better future, that is my motivation and the sleeve is the best choice for us seniors thank God the technology is available, i hope your surgery is as uneventful as mine and your recovery as easy,,, take care, walk,,sip,,,walk,,,,sip,,,,repeat,,,,and once we start eating again, Protein first,,,

[BJean 16]

pnw216 you definitely do not look like you could be a senior in your photo!! Thanks for your comments.

I've hit a little bit of a plateau but then I've been eating a little bit more than I was. I am mostly eating about a half a cup at a time. I have added some sugar free chocolate almonds and that could be slowing me down. But I need the roughage. LOL

[BJean 16]

Hi BJean,

I'm so glad you feel that you made a great decision in revising from Band to Sleeve. Isn't it wonderful to be so optimistic of a wonderful outcome? I wish I had done this years ago!

me too Lee! You're doing fabulously well! congratulations!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I am 57 and in a size 6 and a small top. I do exercise a lot but I was doing that way before I ever got sleeved in an effort to lose weight.

[BJean 16]

Well you must be a good-lookin' cougar, eh? Congratulations on your huge success. I know you must feel fantastic. How long did it take you to reach goal after you got the sleeve?