Advice on what to expect

[TryingDawn 3]

I had lap-band surgery around ten years ago but it was put in wrong and has caused some issues based on pieces coming off, etc. It was removed six days ago along with repair due to the parts floating around my body for who knows how long. My surgeon plans to do the RNY in about a month if all goes well. So that is my story, but I am concerned that losing the weight at this age may have heath ramifications and....well, I may look worse in the long run. I am concerned that my skin will hang from my body and I will lose hair and since I am 56 I may not bounce back at gracefully as those younger than I. I see many people having surgery to remove skin, arm lifts, face lifts, etc. i doubt I can afford that so hoping to lose the weight, be as healthy as possible, take in all the recommended protein/vitamins and deal with the skin issues. I also am concerned about the lack of nutrients I will absorb over time and what I may need as I get older. I figure being obese is a higher risk, so moving forward but would love advice from those before me....

[Biddy zz 🏳️🌈 1,003]

Hi TryingDawn

I too am 56 (this week - celebrating by getting my pre-op ecg and chest X-ray! My RNY and band removal is all together in one op, open surgery, in 3.5 weeks. Nervous, much!

I had my band put in 10 years ago, but it is 5 years since it worked really well. Back then loose skin was manageable - I also figure it might be a bit worse this time, but way better than sore knees, hips, not running up stairs...

Mostly, I dream of scuba diving again...

[catwoman7 11,211]

I had RNY at 55. I lost little to no hair. I have a lot of loose skin, but it's easy to hide. I wear elbow-length (or longer) sleeves and tuck my ab skin into my jeans or leggings, then wear a slightly oversized, longer top. No one knows it's there but me, my husband, and my doctor. I may have it taken off so I can wear other kinds of clothes (and besides I don't like looking at it when I get out of the shower), but then I think...why? It's easy to hide so...?

note that I started out *way* heavier than you. One of the women I co-present with at pre-op groups had surgery at 50 and started about where you are, and she has a lot less excess skin than I do. It just looks like her stomach and thighs are wrinkled, basically. She also has batwing arms, but they're not very noticeable. She looks like a lot of people do when they're in their 50s and have had a couple of kids.

Edited November 20, 2017 by catwoman7

[TryingDawn 3]

Thanks for the advice, for a little while I was concerned that the blog had lost the viewers. I like the ability to write things without it being out there in FB. So thank you!

I too figure I will deal with it and this decision is much better than my alternative. Figured there are a lot of figure control items out there that may help with the skin.

Hoping for the best. Kudos to you catwoman7 for your results! Impressive!

[Diana_in_Philly 1,426]

I had a sleeve, not RNY, at age 55 last year. I lost hair starting at month 4 but it started coming back around month 9. I have fairly thick hair so it wasn't noticeable. I have lots of excess skin - like catwoman7, but had my first plastics consult about two weeks ago. I'll likely have a panni and Tummy Tuck over the summer. The batwings, for me, are the worst. For a few months my face and neck looked really saggy, but that changed at about a year out. I look 15 years younger - no one believes I'm 56 now. I still have another 15 to go. Best of luck.

[GwennyPenny 108]

I'm 57 had the RNY in Aug 10th 17. So far I have lost 110lbs. I have a fair bit of saggy skin especially on my bat wings and legs. I have had a few bumps in the road like kidney stones requiring further surgeries. I feel that at the moment my face looks older but I've just had 3 surgeries so Could be that. The one thing I would stress is make sure that you drink all you Water and the first sign of any toilet issues treat it straight away. I have had chronic Constipation and never had it before. Keep up the Vitamins. I just added liquid hair nails and skin tonic because I noticed a bit of hair coming out in the shower. Stopped again so might have been a false alarm lol good luck with the journey. Overall it's been great and I would do it all again.

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[Biddy zz 🏳️🌈 1,003]

Thanks for these great replies. GwennyPenny, what was best for Constipation? I suffered it a bit after the band, not much shifted it (excuse the pun!) and I wondered what works for others - except trying to eat more fibre...

[GwennyPenny 108]

The first week out I started feeling sick after not going for 7 days. They took me in and gave me an enema because it was impacted. Going forward I've had Movicol not sure if it's called that where you are. Ingredient is macrogol it's a powder you mix and drink. Having 3 extra surgeries shut it down again due to anaesthetic and pain meds. I had another enema last week and just for a while have to take double movicol. My Dr added in a softener called Actilax because a lot of times after surgery that what you need more than a laxative. The advice I was given was to go in stages prune juice fibre movicol glycerine suppositories over the counter enema etc A lot of people use milk of magnesia first off. If it happens they will find something that works. I just needed the enema twice due to it being sleepy. Good luck with your journey take care [emoji3]

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[GwennyPenny 108]

Just thought I would show you my pics because I am over 50. The first one is 2 weeks Pre op the second one was two weeks ago.  

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[lindabalseca 373]

Thanks for these great replies. GwennyPenny, what was best for Constipation? I suffered it a bit after the band, not much shifted it (excuse the pun!) and I wondered what works for others - except trying to eat more fibre...

Smooth move tea!!!!

[TryingDawn 3]

These are amazing and inspirational pictures GwennyPenny. Thanks for sharing!

Edited November 26, 2017 by TryingDawn

[Biddy zz 🏳️🌈 1,003]

Thanks GwennyPenny - this gives me more fabulous pictures from people here to inspire me. Thanks!

[GwennyPenny 108]

Thank you. I need to look at them myself. Some times I don't think we see ourselves losing until you see a photo

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