Anyone here who had surgery in their 60's?

[Neller 114]

Hi! I'm new to this forum. I'm 67 and am waiting for insurance authorization before I can schedule a surgery date. Are there any other people here who had their surgery while in their 60's? I have struggled with my weight for 44 years, and have joined WW countless times, tried OA, 6Atkins, South Beach and Noom. Like most of you I'd lose a little and gain back more. At my highest I was 291, and that was when my doctor recommended gastric sleeve surgery. I wish I had considered it earlier, but I thought it was the cheater's way to go. I know think it's my last hope.

If there are older folks, how did you do with surgery, do you have any regrets, and are things that you wish you had known before surgery? Thanks for any advice or encouragement you can give me.

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[Recidivist 1,141]

I was 59 when I had surgery and am now 61. No regrets whatsoever, and just wish I had done it sooner.

I was also told by a doctor that I should consider surgery after decades of yo-yo dieting, including multiple commercial diets (Atkins, Optifast, Nutri-System, etc.). Yes, I lost weight every time, and gained it back much more quickly than it had taken to lose it. My doctor was blunt: I had another 10 to 12 years before a major cardiac incident that I might not survive. That was the push I needed to get surgery. He also told me that there was little possibility at my age of losing a meaningful amount of weight and keeping it off.

I also considered surgery the "easy way out." As anyone here can tell you, however, that is definitely not the case. It's a tool that will help you lose a lot of weight quickly, but it still takes lifelong discipline and a mental shift in the way you view food. I didn't realize before surgery how easy it can be to gain the weight back after a few years if you return to your old eating habits.

The bottom line: DO IT! Your health and quality of life will be improved immeasurably!

[Lily66 425]

Welcome Neller! Congratulations on your decision to be as healthy as you possibly can, and happy you have a supportive doctor. I’m 66 and have zero regrets in having this.

Though I worked at it (aerobics, eating pretty well, etc.,) my weight was always in the normal range until 50’s, then hysterectomy, HRT, slowed metabolism, stresses of life, ya di ya da there I went. Many, many on this board are 60’s, 70’s, even recall one over 80. As long as you have a very good medical team and follow their instructions, I believe you will be pleased as punch!😀 Glad that you found this site, it will help you to learn and keep motivation high.

Edited September 29, 2020 by Lily66

[Mr Alley Gator 263]

There was a member here a few months back who was 80

[The Greater Fool 2,024]

Back when I was very active on a couple other message boards, someone did a poll on people's age when they had their wls. The groups were 20-29, on up to 90's. The 90s and 80s were empty, but 70s had a couple, and 60s was many people.

They may look at your health a bit more, but it's mostly up to you.

Good luck

Tek

[catwoman7 11,212]

I had it in my 50s (I'm now in my 60s) and have zero regrets. There are quite a few of us who've had it in our 50s and 60s - and we occasionally see folks on here who had it in their 70s.

I have zero regrets (other than I should have had it years ago) and would do it again in a minute. My recovery, btw, was easy peasy. I had almost no pain and had no issues.

[Rara 26]

I am so happy to see someone addressing this "age issue."I am just like many of you who already responded. I was average weight until after I had my second child and from then on it was nothing but yo-yo dieting. I thought about surgery in my mid-50s but found it unaffordable. I knew nothing about ways to get insurance to pay. Plus I was leery of the invasive procedure. Thank God for Medicare . So now I am 68, six weeks postop and feeling fine. I had no nausea ,pain or other difficulties at surgery and my recovery and food plan compliance have been fantastic. I wish I had done this years ago and I am looking forward to a very bright future . I say go for it!!!

[Neller 114]

27 minutes ago, Rara said:

I am so happy to see someone addressing this "age issue."I am just like many of you who already responded. I was average weight until after I had my second child and from then on it was nothing but yo-yo dieting. I thought about surgery in my mid-50s but found it unaffordable. I knew nothing about ways to get insurance to pay. Plus I was leery of the invasive procedure. Thank God for Medicare . So now I am 68, six weeks postop and feeling fine. I had no nausea ,pain or other difficulties at surgery and my recovery and food plan compliance have been fantastic. I wish I had done this years ago and I am looking forward to a very bright future . I say go for it!!!

Thank you so much! I’m glad your postop period went well. I’m hoping I’ll have the surgery before Thanksgiving so I can avoid that food marathon. It’s hard to imagine cutting food intake so much, but I mainly worry about Water intake. I live in Arizona, and thankfully it’s getting cooler, but I drink a lot of water. I’m having a hard time figuring how I’ll get enough water to stay hydrated. Are you just sipping water or Protein Shakes all day long?

[Rara 26]

I am just able to drink about 50 ounces of Water a day. On the Protein Shakes, I’ve cut it down to one a day as they have us to do after six weeks. I’m finding that the first six weeks are a real learning curve but now I’m pretty set in some good habits. You can do it!!

[Bari_KS 499]

I had my VSG surgery at 62ys in 2018, 2days before Thanksgiving. Easy peasy, no issues, no pain, stayed in hospital less than 24hrs. I learned a lot about weightloss surgery from good people on this BP forum. This surgery changed my life and my health. Best decision ever made. I wish I've done it long time ago.

[It's time. 145]

Welcome to the over 60 club! Because of the cost, I had to wait until Medicare kicked in. The surgery was very easy for me with not one post surgery food issue or pain. I'm down 55 pounds in 3 months and feel great. I'm realistic about loose skin and the shifting of weight at this age. I'll never have flat abs and I am more concerned about the loose skin on my face. I'm hoping some botox and fillers will help at some point. I have had to reduce contact with a few people who weren't supportive as they also have weight issues. I gladly give up a few of them to be able to sit on the floor comfortably with my young grandchildren. And I've been able to reduce my blood pressure medication in half and hope to stop it all together down the road. And I had the sleeve because I want to be able to enjoy some foods and a glass of wine at some point and don't need to be thin, but do want to be healthy and able to do more things that I enjoy that I can't do now with the extra weight.

[lisafrommassachusetts 319]

Welcome and Good Luck! I had my surgery in February; I am 61. I have lost a little over 70 pounds so far, and it is an unequivocal joy to me. I have been walking with my husband through the woods and on many trails; I am feeling so much younger and have so much more energy; I am enjoying buying clothes for the first time in years. I was very lucky in so far as my overall health before the surgery, in spite of obesity and yo-yo dieting, but I honestly did not know how TIRED I was from lugging around so much extra weight. Here is a list of things I don't dread anymore: stairs, booths, airplane seats (if we can ever fly again), walking around the block, tying my shoes! My knees ache less, my back aches less, I am wearing high heel boots occasionally, my resting heart rate is at 52. My husband, who is my biggest supporter and fan, jokes that he does not have to do the laundry anymore, because carrying the baskets from the 2nd floor to the basement is easy for me now! Go for it, you won't regret it.

[Marciestar 9]

Hi: I had my sleeve done in January of this year. I was 65 at the time. I had to pay for it out of my own pocket because I would have had to wait 5 years to get the government to pay for it. I had some inheritance money so I thought I would spend it on myself. I couldn't wait 5 years. My blood pressure was going up, I was a borderline diabetic and the writing was on the wall that I was heading for some major problems if I didn't do something about my weight. I had to go to Toronto for my surgery, have my husband stay with me for a week and then fly back home. All in all it went well. I did have a big bump in the road, About a month ago I became very depressed and went off the rails. It was with the help of this group that I realized I had experienced major stress for about 8 months and I needed to get some help. The help is always there if you need it.

[donnast 16]

I just turned 60, and have made the decision to be “more healthy” I just finished class 2 and have 5 more to go, the plan is to have WLS at end of February 2021. I have spent my adult life overweight and it is time I take control.

[debsgallery 19]

Hi! I'm new to this forum. I'm 67 and am waiting for insurance authorization before I can schedule a surgery date. Are there any other people here who had their surgery while in their 60's? I have struggled with my weight for 44 years, and have joined WW countless times, tried OA, 6Atkins, South Beach and Noom. Like most of you I'd lose a little and gain back more. At my highest I was 291, and that was when my doctor recommended gastric sleeve surgery. I wish I had considered it earlier, but I thought it was the cheater's way to go. I know think it's my last hope.
If there are older folks, how did you do with surgery, do you have any regrets, and are things that you wish you had known before surgery? Thanks for any advice or encouragement you can give me.
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69 here. August 19 2020 was surgery. 70 Birthday September 22.

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