Senior Sleevers

[reallyrosy 161]

Just asking about your experience as a senior citizen and a newly sleeved hot mama (or papa as the case may be)

I'm 66 and so far I am not so pleased with the results. What about you?

[mokee 588]

I III just saw your post from way back in Jan. I am just starting the journey and I am 65. Why are you not pleased with the results? Did you have co-morbidities when you started? Have they improved. I am an insulin dependent diabetic and hope that this will remove me from insulin. I have heard of some it has helped but most are young. Don't understand why this site has not taken off. We older ones have different issues than the younger ones. Please tell me your story.

Thanks, Mokee

[reallyrosy 161]

I III just saw your post from way back in Jan. I am just starting the journey and I am 65. Why are you not pleased with the results? Did you have co-morbidities when you started? Have they improved. I am an insulin dependent diabetic and hope that this will remove me from insulin. I have heard of some it has helped but most are young. Don't understand why this site has not taken off. We older ones have different issues than the younger ones. Please tell me your story.

Thanks, Mokee

Ok. I've lost 100# as of last Thursday. I'm 67 now and started serious thinking @ this when I was 64.

I do not like being on a carb restricted diet all my life. I cannot have any carbs like fruit AT ALL.. I don't look for bread, cake etc. But I've lost my taste for excellent foods that prevent diseases like blueberries etc. I 'cheated' with a few boxes of blues and can't stand the taste any more! I think this is just as unwise as the bad habits that caused all this weight!

I lost 128# with phentermine over a period of 8 years and kept it off. I exercised and took the meds and lost the weight. Then fell a couple times, broke a bone here and there developed impingements requiring PT and had to curtail the exercise. Also, the doc would stop the meds every so often but until the enforced lack of exercise, I maintained the wt loss. It started creeping back up and I panicked. The doc suggested a band and I started investigating the surgeries available.

I never had dm (my a1c has always been good) my cholesterol has always been o.k. but the good cholestrol has always been too low.

I have and continue to have sleep apnea, ankle pain, venous insufficiency on one leg, and a host of emotional issues.

My thyroid meds are down and I don't take asthma puffs anymore. I still walk with a walker, but at least I do walk. I'm down several clothing sizes and enjoy that freedom.

But the surgery requires that I never ever change from this "diet" and I don't like that. I can eat asparagus...but you can't buy one or 4 stalks so the waste is huge. I make lettuce sandwiches but you can't buy just a few leaves of lettuce...again, a waste. I eat steak whihc I never ate before (preferred more of a veg diet) and don't mind eating it but don't like reports that people on Atkins type diets are dying of heart disease.

I took vertical sleeve because the hype is you can eat anything after but the reality is YOU MUST MAINTAIN THE DIET AT ALL COSTS or you will not lose weight and you might gain back what you lost.

Its a tool? Yeah, for quick wt loss. Is it a cure? NO. Other people love their sleeves...I don't love it. I don't hate it, either, but I'm sort of resigned to it.

Also, I either have the runs or am constipated for days. It seems to move in a cycle...I don't like being hit unexpectedly with diahrea and have had to throw out shoes, clothes, garments that get soiled to say nothing of missed appointments etc.

My surgeon, who was voted top doc in one of those magazine polls, stopped communicating with me when I asked him if I could have popcorn. He doesn't trust nutritionists and if I consult with one, I am out of compliance! Those are his words. I never touched popcorn since dec 5 2011 and was just asking a question because pple here do say they've had popcorn. Obviously its worse than a 4 letter word.

So, that's why I am not pleased with my decision to have the surgery. Would I put back the wt and go back to before dec 5th if I could??? No! I like tying my shoe laces myself. I like buckling my seatbelt without two extensions. I like being able to walk a mile or more with the walker.

I still have afib, pulmonary hypertension, veinous insufficiency, thyroid med, heart med, ankle pain (agony) and a rotten attitude. I'm still pursuing therapy, as well.

For a draconian solution to a huge problem, I hoped for an easier life without a focus on food and body. It ain't happened, yet. Will it? I dunno. Plus, its not permanent unless I maintain the status quo? Will I? I dunno. Can I? I can only try.

If you are looking for sunshine, lollipops and roses, just be aware that you gotta plant them and debug the bushes, the lollies have to be sugar free and you make your own sunshine...still.

Good luck!

[TxCalico 69]

Very interestng post! Don't know why it's easier for some than for others, just like we don't know why some folks get awful diseases and some don't... Altho you have mixed feelings, I think you know that you couldn't be on phentermine for the rest of your life, so the sleeve is a better long-term option perhaps.

You're in my thoughts & prayers!

[reallyrosy 161]

Strange there are so few of us in this discussion. Its sep. 2013 now and I am down to 190-194 depending on the day. This seems to be "my" weight. I still work out 3 to 4 times a week. Have eaten a few apples blue berries strawberries a single peach. Still worry abt weight and cant find a comfortable routine or "diet". But I gotta admit im pleased with what ive done. Im not sorry I did it. food is just food. I dont crave anything. I cannot tolerate snything sweet. A cooked carrot is just too sweet for me! Not sirry about that at all. Would still love to have a free munchy food other than kale chips...or a way to keep kale chips crisp aftwr a few hours.

But I am ok with this. My thyroid med is way down. Dont need the cpap anymore. These are positives.

Uf any other senior was reading this for advice...id say now "go fir it" and again...good luck

Ps: you still need to make your own sunshine lollipops and rainbows.

[CANOEINNH 15]

I'm new here and trying to learn what I need to learn while skipping over the other. At 64 and gramma to 14, employed full time and run a wilderness canoe company, I'm looking for a solution to my weight issues. All the usual. APNEA, high B/P, diabetes, 5 kinds of arthritis, etc.

I retire in 8 months and do not plan to sit around counting out my pills. Tonight I am 2 weeks post op and feeling overwhelmed. Down 30 pounds? Is that even possible? Feeling ok love the loose clothes. Back to work next week. Not telling anyone but husband. Embarrassed that I couldn't do this alone. Anyone else with those feelings?

[TxStella 17]

Ok I am 64. I have my sleeve surgery Dec 9th which is in one week. I am 5'6 and weigh 245. I have no co morbidities but I am still working and I get lower back pain that makes me have to sit. I am looking forward to losing weight and living the rest of my years healthier and pain free. I'm so sad to hear the stories of those here who have chosen this and are not happy. Please pray for me and I will post as soon as I'm able.

Ty Canoeinnh because you are my role model!!

Edited December 1, 2015 by TxStella

[redvet 39]

Just my opinion but I think everyone is different and I am 60 and will be having my sleeve done in March/April and I am looking forward to meeting my new self and doing the things that I haven't been able to do in years. I try and think positive encouraging thoughts and hopefully my experience will be a good one and even if problems come up I pray they don't last and that I am able to deal with them in a positive way. I am sorry for those who have regrets but I wish you the best life ever!

[SactoWendy 17]

I'm 62 and had rny surgery on 1/12/16. So I'm not even a week post op. My stomach doesn't hurt anymore and I'm feeling good. I've had Constipation but now I'm talking stool softeners so I hope that will improve.

I hope this 60's forum gets more visitors and posts. By 60 we have accumulated more issues and comorbidities.

[redvet 39]

Hi SactoWendy, good for you to do this for yourself. I too wish this forum would have more visitors but hopefully they will start to show up.

[Seahawks12 1]

First time posting sleeve 12/21/15

[Seahawks12 1]

I'm 67 lost 10 lbs pre-op 16 post.

Off blood pressure meds. Knees are so much better. On regular food

Tried pop corn no problem of course a small amount.

Because it's only been 6 1/2 weeks know other health issues will go away or improve. sleep apnea lose the machine.

Surgery went really well no problems.

Enjoy reading post for us in our 60's. Never to late to enjoy better health and smaller clothes.

[redvet 39]

I'm 67 lost 10 lbs pre-op 16 post.

Off blood pressure meds. Knees are so much better. On regular food

Tried pop corn no problem of course a small amount.

Because it's only been 6 1/2 weeks know other health issues will go away or improve. sleep apnea lose the machine.

Surgery went really well no problems.

Enjoy reading post for us in our 60's. Never to late to enjoy better health and smaller clothes.

That's awesome Seahawks12! I am looking forward to getting off my meds and cpap machine as well. Do you have any regrets at all? How are you doing today? How has your family, Co workers and friends responded? Sorry about all the questions but us sleevers are very curious.

[Aberdeenlassie 0]

64 and 5 weeks post op. Having lost so much weight as some of you have in the first month+ but I had the sleeve done due to a tumour in my stomach. But I can say that I'm down 14 lbs this AM. I feel great. No sore knees, hips anymore and I feel so much better over all.

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