How old is TOO old for WLS?????

I had the VSG done by Dr. Aceves in October 2008 about 1 week prior to my 51st b-day.  I was relatively healthy, and did not have any of the co-morbid conditions that my insurance company required for the surgery to be covered.  Also, my BMI was 38 which was too low. 

Having the surgery was the best thing I could have done.  I KNEW I could not lose the weight I needed to lose without the surgery.  Moreover, I had a number of "pre-conditions" such as "pre-diabetes" which would have most certainly progressed without the surgery.  I knew my health would have suffered and as an RN, I also knew that my life expectancy would be GREATLY reduced without the surgery. 

Feel free to PM me if you'd like to know more.

 

I think it absolutely makes sense for you to have the surgery. I actually have the opposite problem. My question is whether to go into debt for the VSG while I'm still in college, not working full-time. I've come to the conclusion that yes, I definitely need to have it done. It seems to me that it's worth it at any age because it improves your quality of life so much.

 I had my surgery done last August at the ripe old age of 58 and I am very excited with the results. I thought I would lose slower than the young ones and maybe heal slower, but no not at all. Give yourself this gift, its the gift of life.

 Are you serious???? You're 58?? ???? Ok, no longer worried about looking older from weight loss now.  Wow.

I had my surgery ONE YEAR AGO TODAY!  WOO-HOO!  I was 52.  I feel better today than I did when I was 42!

Good luck with your decision!

Brooke K

51 too old?  Are you kidding!!!  Go get yourself fixed and live a fuller, healthier, and God Willing extended life.  You will feel so much younger when you get your weight off.  You will have amazing energy.  It's ALL good.  Go for it without hesitation.

Best,
Leila

Thanks for all the SUPPORT!!!  Hopefully one day, I will be one of the LUCKY ONE'S and can post about my weight loss, and about how much better I feel. 

I was 53 when I had the surgery (self pay) and it was the best money I've ever spent. I was starting to feel old and miserable and now i look and feel young and healthy again!

Lizanne

I am over 50 and it the best thing I did for myself.  I made it my birthday present to me for a couple of years.  I choose Dr. Alvarez in Mexico and had a great experience.  There are doctor in the states that are the same or slightly cheaper.  But I wanted one with a great surgical record and lots of experience. 

The only regret is that I waited.  After I made up my mind that I could not loose the weight without this tool - I spent 17 months trying to go through my insurance with a doctor of excellence for my plan.  I would have had to have had RNY or lap band, but it turned out my insurance did not pay the doctor enough and so they were not really interested in having me as a patient.  The surgery coordinator had me start to redo tests as they were too old and then would not return my phone calls. 

Of course I spent that time researching and reading about RNY and decided that with being a lower BMI I did not really want RNY.   Best decision I made.