Question:
Will my age (52) and type of surgery have much affect on recuperation time?
Due to insurance issues I will have a long wait until my surgery. ( I am a military retiree ex spouse) In the meantime, I am researching surgeons in my area (Tidewater, Va.)that accept my insurance. Very few will do lap surgery on someone as large as me(475 lbs). I am concerned with recuperation time not only because of my age but also because I have to shut down my business while I recuperate. I can't afford to close for any longer than necessary. I would like to hear from others over age 50 that have had surgery, both open and lap. I may be forced to wait for my surgery till the locate military hospital can do it or I may have a chance to be deferred out and will have choices to make regarding surgeons-----do I go ahead and choose a dr. that will perform the surgery sooner, even if not lap---or should I continue to wait for one that will try do perform it laproscopicaly? — JoyfulLife (posted on May 26, 2003)
May 26, 2003
I am also 52 and had Lap RNY on 4/22/03. I went back to work in three
weeks. I could have went sooner but had the time. If I had went sooner I
don't think I could have worked a full day. I do a desk job so was not
physically challenging. I just got really tired. I do think my age had some
to do with it but I really didn't feel well prior to surgery either. No
energy. Good luck with whatever you choose.
— Barbara S.
May 26, 2003
I was 56 when I had my open rny in feb. this year. i do feel like my age
caused me to have a slower recovery and be a slow loser but on the other
hand, Last year in Feb, I had another much more major surgery than this and
it is quite possible that this one so close just took a lot out of me. I
am a retired R.N. so i did not have issues with returning to work.
— Delores S.
May 26, 2003
HI! I am 52 also, and weigh 463. My doctor will be doing lap RNY next
month and says I'll be off work for 3 weeks, barring any complications.
You should be able to do the same, unless there are other issues, so don't
give up!
— duane B.
May 26, 2003
I am 51 years old and I had my open ryn 12 days ago. I was not in much
pain. I will be out of work about five more weeks. This surgery does make
you weak, but it is well worth it. I am down 32 lbs. in 12 days.
— Gene F.
May 26, 2003
I was 55 when I had my Open RNY. I was off work two weeks and went back
full time with no problems at all. I was tired but that was ok - I took a
nap when I got home in the evenings. I took no pain medication after
leaving the hospital - didn't need it. I had open because I preferred that
my doctor be able to see everything - and since I weighed 350 pounds
(almost), there was a lot of fat to see around. The surgeon I chose will
only do Open RNY - he does lap in other surgeries but won't take the chance
with the WLS. If I can answer any questions for you, please feel free to
email me.
— Patty_Butler
May 26, 2003
I was 51 When I had my open RNY and I weighed in at 472. I took the 5 weeks
off, because I was entitled. It took a long time to get my energy back
because I was not exercising as I should and had a lot of trouble getting
the protein drink down.
— bbjnay
May 27, 2003
I was 54 when I had my lap RNY (325 lbs.) and was back to work full-time in
an office position in eight days. I had no problems other than increased
fatigue at the end of the day. My daughter weighed 406 lbs. at the time of
her lap RNY and returned to teaching a class of pre-schoolers in 14 days.
She experienced some fatigue and had to be extra-careful to observe our
surgeon's restrictions regarding lifting, but otherwise did great. There
are several bariatric surgeons who specialize in laparascopic WLS. Our
surgeon is based in Atlanta and routinely performs lap RNY surgery on
patients weighing in excess of 500 lbs. Experience is the critical factor,
and I would have had open surgery rather than to have "settled"
for a surgeon inexperienced in the highly specialized field of laparascopy.
Please feel free to email me privately at any time. Best wishes!
— Diana T.
Click Here to Return