VSG at age 60?

 I am 66 had my surgery in April with Kaiser Mid-Atlantic.  I had a few glitches, Had to come home on oxygen and had a bladder infection for 5 months (antibiotic resistant). I have lost 65 lbs. so far.  Weight loss slow after first 8 weeks.  But overall I am pleased.   I would never have lost this weight without surgery and I sure don't want the weight back.  Which is what I would have had I not had the surgery.  My advice, relax, don't compare yourself to anyone else.  You are living YOUR life not theirs.  Appreciate your accomplishments and just go with it you will do fine.  You didn't gain the weight a certain amount each day and you won't loose it that way either.  You will have stalls, expect them and don't fret.  While your body is stalling its firming up and you will loose inches.  Try to get in your fluids and protein but know that in the beginning you won't be able to do what they suggest.  Again don't fret just do your best.  I healed quickly, but I didn't gain my full energy for some time and I needed naps and rests.  This isn't a race so don't be hard on yourself.  Was age  factor for me?  Probably, most likely but heck nothing I could do was going to make me any younger so I just did the best I could and allowed myself to be grateful for whatever gain and progress that I made.  You'll be fine if you do the same.

 I started out 3 pounds heavier than you. I lost 12# on the pre-op diet and had surgery on 8/31/11. I was 57, and I turned 58 on 11/26/11. I was admitted into the hospital and had surgery on Wed. I was up walking the halls that night because I was wide awake and there was very little foot traffic at two a.m. I was given dilaudid that I could push a button every ten minutes but I guess my system didn't like it and I was walking around with a pole in one hand, scratching like a monkey with the other. So no more dilaudid (my decision).  They gave me liquid Lortab twice. It tasted so horrid I would have rather had the pain.  But there was none.  I went home with four scripts and never took anything. I arrived home Friday morning and had a good night sleep, awakening so refreshed that I took off to spend the remainder of the holiday week-end (Labor Day) at the casino. I know I was extremely lucky.  Some of the gals on the floor with me would come to their door to chat when I was roaming around and they would hold their tummies and I kept wondering when I would feel like that but I never did.  I just wish this would have been available 30 years ago.  I feel great and so far I've gone from size 22-24 down to size 16.  I see myself nekked and feel like I look the same but the scale and the fit of smaller clothes tells me otherwise.  Good luck, Dear.  I have never had one second of regret and can only hope you have the easy time I've had.  Merry Christmas!
Mickey

My dad is 67 and had his surgery 10 days ago and he is already back to feeling good. You will be fine.

I was 56 when I had surgery, had no complications and reached goal in 8 months.  My hypothyroidism and MS were greater factors than age, I think.

Had my VSG in October '08 at 71 1/2 years old with Kaiser in Denver.

Love the results, and attend the post-op support meetings every month.

Hope you have my success, and hugs,

Fred

I am amazed by  all the responses. Thank you all so much. Obesity has robbed me of my health, my confidence and my joy.  I just had my 60th birthday and decided that I just didn't want to feel like this anymore. I hesitated about the surgery because I thought I was too old and too inactive, but this forum has just blown me away. I have heard so much positive stuff about the surgery and am amazed at how many people are having it later in life. I'm pretty sure that my only regret will also be that I didn't do it sooner.

I also have Kaiser, am 57 and have had the VSG in 9/11.   I had pneumonia in the hospital which kept me in a little bit longer but I had no pain.   I had to have an IVC filter put in in case of blood clots but that was removed in 11/11.   I could barely walk because of venous stasis and came out of the hospital with my calves 5 inches less on each side.   So far I have lost 60 lbs.   I can now walk and stand up which I couldn't do before.  

I had surgery at 54. I lost 34 pounds pre op during the three months of classes, and then the two months before surgery. I have lost 87 in 11 months. I'm not a fast loser, but I'm down 121 pounds !!!

For me, I did have quite a bit of post op pain, and morphine didn't do it for me, but the diluadid sure did ! I had a hiatial hernia repair with my sleeve, stayed two nights in the hospital, and was glad of it. But by day 4 was feeling much better.

Can't lie, the surgery had done nothing for my arthritis pain, but between the surgery, weight loss and going to Curves 3 times a week, my flexability has improved, my balance has improved, and I am no longer walking with a cane. In fact, I am now eligible for knee replacements -- which they would not consider when I was morbidly obese.

I have Kaiser, but could chose an outside surgeon because of my location. It was completely covered. My only regret is not having this sooner.

I can still take my arthritis meds, with a sleeve; which was paramount for me. I have gone from a size 26/28 womans plus size to a 14 petite in regular ladies sizes. Can even wear a size 13 jean in the juniors department, but hated the low rise !!!

It's a wonderful and wild journey.

This was my question exactly. I am 58 and I am now approved and scheduled for a final meeting with the surgeons next month. Thanks for asking. Very good response. Gives me a lot of confidence moving forward. Jeff

I was 1 month shy of 60 when I had surgery earlier this year. I had a text book recovery and haven't looked back. I'm below goal and maintaining just fine. No weight gain over Thanksgiving or Christmas but I'm still "on patrol" so to speak. I'm monitoring my intake like crazy. I'm afraid of doing down the path to hell because I don't think I have any options left at this point.

Go for it. You won't regret it.