69 yrs old and unsure..

[Young 69 yrs 1]

I'm 69 and have a BMI of 36. Been gaining weight continuously my adult life. I'm OK'd for sleeve surgery mid september.
Can anyone with a similar age and BMI tell me their experience.
Do you regret making the decision this late in life.
Have the post op diet restrictions felt like a sacrifice.
Did the 30% weight loss offset those the diet changes.
Any insight that would help me make a more informed decision is appreciated.
Thank you

[SpartanMaker 767]

I'm not quite your age, but still in the "boomer" set. I can't tell you if you should or shouldn't have bariatric surgery, only you can decide that.

I did want to point out that if you approach bariatric surgery as something that will "feel like a sacrifice", this may not be for you. Instead, I would suggest you think about the things you are currently sacrificing at your current weight. Are you sacrificing your health? Are you sacrificing activities with family and friends?

The only people I've met that regret bariatric surgery are the ones that didn't think of it as a life changing opportunity to fix their relationship with food. If you have the surgery and go right back to eating junk, you may regret having it done because you won't attain your goals.

in the event you are wondering if it's safe and effective "at your age", I'll leave you with some studies:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11695-019-03718-6

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550728922001605

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ggi.12527

https://europepmc.org/article/med/30175564

[Young 69 yrs 1]

Thank you very much

[Tomo 1,191]

I'm 69 and have a BMI of 36. Been gaining weight continuously my adult life. I'm OK'd for sleeve surgery mid september.
Can anyone with a similar age and BMI tell me their experience.
Do you regret making the decision this late in life.
Have the post op diet restrictions felt like a sacrifice.
Did the 30% weight loss offset those the diet changes.
Any insight that would help me make a more informed decision is appreciated.
Thank you

I am in my 60s. I just recently had a revision WLS. I will speak mainly about my first WLS since revision was made for other reasons. For the first few months, the post-op diet does feel like a sacrifice. Especially the liquid phase. Not actually physically since I had decreased hunger but more mentally, emotionally since eating was never really about physical hunger to me. After the first few months, things normalized. I was able to eat whatever I wanted, just a much smaller amount and social eating was pleasant again. Because of the rapid weightloss, and the positive feelings of losing weight, it was much easier for me to transition to a healthier diet naturally.

Was the the weight loss worth it and did it offset the sacrifice? Absolutely. I feel so much younger now being able to move as my body intended. Most health issues resolved too. I would do it again and again in a heartbeat.

[summerseeker 2,124]

I had my sleeve done nine months ago, aged 62. I walked with a stick, had severe shortage of breath, high blood pressure and was told 11 months before surgery that I was diabetic. I am a carer for my husband and there were times when he was having to care for me. Things had to change.

I never realised that loosing weight would have made such a huge difference. I gallop through chores, walk miles and have endless energy. The diabetes and blood pressure went within a few months. The only pills I take now are for Fibromyalgia.

The only downside to being overweight and being my age is the loose skin. I will need more surgery .

[Young 69 yrs 1]

thank you.

[Recidivist 1,141]

I was 59 when I had my surgery and had a BMI in the high 30s, so I was in a similar position. I also hesitated for the same reasons you mention.

As SpartanMaker said, nobody else can tell you whether you should or shouldn't have the surgery. I can tell you that, 3.5 years later, the improvement in my quality of life and overall physical and emotional well-being are tremendous. I have more energy than I did 20 years ago and have a new lease on life. Also, at this point I'm eating more or less normally (just smaller quantities and a healthier diet), and I don't feel I've sacrificed anything.

As you can tell, I haven't regretted my decision for a moment. I've said it often: my only regret is that I didn't do this decades earlier!

[Young 69 yrs 1]

Thank you

[roadman1122 32]

i agree, I'm 64 and the surgery was life changing, i now have low blood pressure, no more back pain, i got a fit bit, started walking 3000 steps per day, now I'm up to 12000. i know long take Aleve, arthritis pain almost gone.

it was game changing for me, and everyone around me has noticed my energy levels increased..

I wish i had done it sooner,

Good Luck

[sprukop0924 64]

I'm 62 and had sleeve surgery 3.5 mos ago. My BMI was over 40. I am already down 55 lbs, 2-3 sizes smaller and feeling fabulous. I've had very little discomfort with the surgery and eat whatever I want - albeit in much smaller quantities. I consume on average 900-1100 calories per day. Happy to answer any other questions you might have. I have no regrets other than wishing I had had the surgery sooner!

[Dr-Patient 830]

I was 58 when I had my VSG; it's been ~nine years and it was the BEST decision I ever made for myself. Yes, you're older now than I was then; but if you've been medically cleared for the surgery, and desire a better, healthier life, more energy, more style, less shame, more confidence, go for it. The few months of "sacrifice" (i.e, adjustment and acceptance of smaller food volumes), is well worth the years of physical improvement and better health, more energy, etc.

[tx2az 54]

On 8/27/2022 at 7:13 AM, Young 69 yrs said:

I'm 69 and have a BMI of 36. Been gaining weight continuously my adult life. I'm OK'd for sleeve surgery mid september.
Can anyone with a similar age and BMI tell me their experience.
Do you regret making the decision this late in life.
Have the post op diet restrictions felt like a sacrifice.
Did the 30% weight loss offset those the diet changes.
Any insight that would help me make a more informed decision is appreciated.
Thank you

Sleeved on 9-1 and turned 71 on 9-6. No regrets at all. Easy recovery, no pain, no gastric problems, should be off blood pressure and cholesterol meds soon. I have lost 22 pounds so far. It has been great! Looking forward to continuing weight loss and improved health.

[MamiMB 13]

I am in my 60's and BMI is at least 40 right now. Did you all have to follow the protocol of medical weight loss first, and have all the tests that I hear about? Trying to get an idea of how long it may be between my first visit on 10/11 and possible surgery date. I have had most of the tests that I've been reading that are required, except the psychologist.

[Young 69 yrs 1]

I had surgery on 9/12 and it took 2 months after meeting with the surgeon. Key dates in addition to the medical tests were visit with the Nutritionist and getting approval by insurance. My psychologist was a 30 minute zoom.

[jas954 1]

I’m close to my pre-op appointment for VSG and hoping to receive a surgery date. As of 2 days ago, I am 69 years old. Did you have your surgery in August/September and did you have any doubts going into this due to age?