Richard Griffiths dies at age 65

[Bvl 11]

I struggled whether to post this or not, but it helps me put into perspective the reason I had this surgery, so I hope it is taken in that light and might help a few others.

British actor Richard Griffiths died today at age 65. If the name isn't immediately bringing a face to mind, he was most widely known in recent years as playing mean Uncle Dursley in the Harry Potter series. I remember his portrayal being exactly as I imagined it in the books. I also remember him well from Naked Gun 2 1/2. He was a huge talent, and will be greatly missed.

He was also, just as we are (or were), obese. I remember he was big in Naked Gun, and then I saw him roughly 10yrs later in Harry Potter and thought "whoa, he's put on a lot of weight". Most of us can relate. He died of complications from heart surgery. Now, I don't know what caused the surgery in the first place, but it seems likely that his weight played a role. It's a reminder that we just don't see that many overweight people in their golden years.

So, as Easter dinner approaches and I lament that fact that I can't dine on all the ham and rolls of yesteryear, this sad fact helps keep me in check. RIP Richard Griffiths.

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

I struggled whether to post this or not, but it helps me put into perspective the reason I had this surgery,

don't see that many overweight people in their golden years.

Bvi

thank you for posting this

I agree its important to hear stories like this

seeing someone else's problems, death - probably associated with obesity is good/but sad to have on our back burner of our head

medical problems are our initial reasoning for have WLS

i think "some/a few" people think WLS is a vanity surgery - but of course we know better

the benefit of our new appearance is great though - but not primary reason for surgery

now, with our success since WLS - we will be able to live that longer, healthier, happier life that we all deserve

to all of us - continued good health with our weight loss - and through maintennance

life IS good

edit - Bvi if you haven't read this yet

congrats on being newly sleeved and losing 33 lbs these past 3 weeks

keep up the good job/work!!!!!

[gmanbat 5,889]

My wife and I, ( I am 64, she is 62), have been discussing not seeing very many older folks who are morbidly obese like we WERE. Outside of dying off early you could also factor in that they may not be getting out of the house much. We all know the debilitating nature of the things that obesity brings on.

Here is some stats I copied:

Mortality Rate - Obese Patients

The majority of studies show an increase in mortality rate associated with obesity (body mass index > 30).

Obese individuals have a 50-100 percent increased risk of death from all causes, compared with normal-weight individuals (body mass index 20–25). Most of the increased risk is due to cardiovascular causes.

Life Expectancy and Obesity

Life expectancy of a moderately obese person could be shortened by 2 to 5 years.

White men between 20 and 30 years old with a body mass index > 45 could shorten their life expectancy by 13 years.

White women in the same category could lose up to 8 years of life.

Young African American men with a body mass index > 45 could lose up to 20 years of life; African American women, up to 5.

Obesity Mortality Risk Study

A study of more than 1 million adults in the United States (457,785 men and 588,369 women), investigated the relation between body mass index and the risk of death from all causes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. In people who had never smoked, the lowest point of the mortality curve occurred at a body mass index of 23.5 to 24.9 in men and 22.0 to 23.4 in women. Above those points, the relative risk of death increased linearly with increased body mass indices in both men and women.

[SpaceDust 585]

My wife and I' date=' ( I am 64, she is 62), have been discussing not seeing very many older folks who are morbidly obese like we WERE. Outside of dying off early you could also factor in that they may not be getting out of the house much. We all know the debilitating nature of the things that obesity brings on.

Here is some stats I copied:

Mortality Rate - Obese Patients

The majority of studies show an increase in mortality rate associated with obesity (body mass index > 30).

Obese individuals have a 50-100 percent increased risk of death from all causes, compared with normal-weight individuals (body mass index 20–25). Most of the increased risk is due to cardiovascular causes.

Life Expectancy and Obesity

Life expectancy of a moderately obese person could be shortened by 2 to 5 years.

White men between 20 and 30 years old with a body mass index > 45 could shorten their life expectancy by 13 years.

White women in the same category could lose up to 8 years of life.

Young African American men with a body mass index > 45 could lose up to 20 years of life; African American women, up to 5.

Obesity Mortality Risk Study

A study of more than 1 million adults in the United States (457,785 men and 588,369 women), investigated the relation between body mass index and the risk of death from all causes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. In people who had never smoked, the lowest point of the mortality curve occurred at a body mass index of 23.5 to 24.9 in men and 22.0 to 23.4 in women. Above those points, the relative risk of death increased linearly with increased body mass indices in both men and women.[/quote']

I always have to wonder with stats like this if the results are correlation or if they actually establish causation. Not that it matters - if the actual root cause is a health issue that is exacerbated by weight, it still means that getting the weight off is of critical importance. It is just a matter of my scientific curiosity, I suppose.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

[ShariM735 189]

gmanbat -- I am 67. Will be having the sleeve in July. I gave doing this a lot of thought. Wondering if I am too old. Asked at mt informational meeting and felt much better when told they have had people in their 70's. I've lost 15 lbs. on the diet the dietician gave me as prep. Excited about this when I know there are others in their 60's who are feeling so good. I enjoy your posts.

[gmanbat 5,889]

gmanbat -- I am 67. Will be having the sleeve in July. I gave doing this a lot of thought. Wondering if I am too old. Asked at mt informational meeting and felt much better when told they have had people in their 70's. I've lost 15 lbs. on the diet the dietician gave me as prep. Excited about this when I know there are others in their 60's who are feeling so good. I enjoy your posts.

We might have jumped on the caboose but we are still on the train!

Folks our age have to be extremely careful to do as the docs say but we know that. We have lost the illusion of immortality that plagues the youth. I know it when my below the speed limit careful driving causes the chronologically challenged to blast around me with faces distorted in anger. We have less time left but seem to want to go slower to get where we're going.