new here and scared

This is my first post to these forums. I dont even know where to begin.  I want to have WLS, maybe the sleeve, but I hesitate because I will be 57 in Jan. I do not work right now, but take care of all my grandkids... my husband works, we have insurance to pay for it... I'm just not sure because of my age. I just make the bmi requirement... have no other co morbidites. My son has RNY 6 years ago. had great success...except a few nutritional issues....

anyway... I am looking to read about other people's journey who are older, have had the sleeve, or other procedure done, ...

thanks for any help, insight.... I am scared... I know of no other way to get this weight off... about 75 lbs .... I've done medifast, and lost a great deal, but slowly it comes back..

anyway, I'm rambling...

thanks again.

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Welcome!  I'm 52, about to turn 53, and had the sleeve 5 months ago, revised from a lap band.  There are plenty of people our age and older that have made the decision to take their health into their own hands, including many here on this forum.  Do your research, get a good physician referral, and see if WLS is a good option for you.  One thing we have going for us is that we tend to be a little wiser, and if you're motivated you'll follow whatever plan you choose and be successful.  One thing we have against us is our darn hormones (or lack of them), which makes losing weight a bit harder (but certainly not impossible).  

Good luck to you whatever you decide!

I had sleeve surgery five years ago at the age of 71 1/2 years.

Currently maintaining weight at about 103 lbs down from starting weight.  I did go lower, but had difficulty maintaining energy level, so allowed it to climb about 23 lbs.  Would like to get it down about 15 more lbs, which I am working on slowly.

Best decision I ever made was to have WLS.  Health is so much better now, and cost of prescriptions has dropped at least $1800 per year compared to pre-op costs.

WLS is a life saver, go for it!

There are TONS of people here who have had VSG in their 50s and older. There's a board here on OH for WLS patients over 50, too.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/over_50/

Best of luck, hon. Regardless of the surgery that you choose, I wish you TONS of success.

I was about 54.5 when I was sleeved last year.  Now I'm 55 and feel as if I've gotten my life back.  I am still raising children (young teen daughter and 7yo grandson who we adopted in June, so he's OURS now!), and now I'm also caring for our 2yo grandson on weekends, so I need all the energy I can get and need to be here as long as I can.  Being sleeved and doing the necessary self-care afterwards has been such an amazing experience. 

FWIW my BMI was over 54 at the time of my first surgeon consult, and I had co-morbidities, BUT I did this before diabetes and heart disease were able to take root in my body and possibly ruin me for good.  My PCP said that I was on my way to both of those if I didn't lose weight.  The thought of finally becoming immobile from super-morbid obesity and ending up bedridden and being a burden on my family was also working on me, having gone through the experience of caring for my elderly father-in-law in the last year of his life. 

It all finally clicked, and I walked through the door of my surgeon's office with faith and hope and was not denied my chance to recover my health and really live before it was too late. 

Better late than never.  

I was 56 when I was sleeved last October, now am 57.  I had no co-morbidities and my BMI was 41.  As I prepare to celebrate my one year 'surgiversary', my life is completely changed for the better.  I lost all my excess weight - and more - in 9.5 months, and am now enjoying life in early maintenance.  I can't begin to express how grateful I am.   I want to encourage you to give it real consideration for yourself because your age is definitely not a barrier.  Please feel free to look at my weight loss progression in my profile and/or send me a private message if you want to chat more.  

I was 64 when I had my sleeve done.  I was very obese, and I needed to do something because my mobility was diminishing and I was facing a diminishing life. 

I am so happy I did it.  I've lost 137 pounds, and I am feeling great - more energy, better self-confidence.  I'd highly recommend going forward with it.  It will change your life. 

The process isn't easy, but its not terrible.  The surgery itself was the easy part - little pain, no nausea. No complications.  Getting used to my new tummy was a bit more challenging, but doable.  Please pm me if you have questions.

best of luck in your weight loss journey.

Carol

Thank you all so much for your responses. After writing I told my husband about it and he isn't in favor of my going. He said that when I last considered WLS, which BTW was over 15 years ago, and they still were only doing OPEN RNY.... I chickened out, I went to the surgeon, there were no info seminars back then, I am about the same wt. now as then, maybe 10 lbs heavier. He wont go to the info group at the hospital I want to go to...

I am I admit, afraid of complications. I am raising a grandaughter and she is young, and needs me, if something were to happen to me, I'm not sure she could handle it, she's had so much trauma already in her little life. I know if I dont lose the wt. then she may lose me....

my health is beginning to go downhill... heart is racing, even when I'm sitting still..... I'm scared of that too...

anyway... thanks again for all your input... any more would also be appreciated.

Had RNY shortly before my 61st first birthday. Sailed through surgery and recovery. My co-morbidities including congestive heart failure are coming under control and meds cut in half after just 3 weeks. I couldn't be happier with my decision.  

Chances of succeeding on your own with diet and exercise are just 5%---95% regain the weight and usually and more. If you could have done it on your own, you already would have.  Toss that idea and move forward.

If you want to be there for that little girl and actually be able to play with her and keep up with her as she grows, WLS is probably the best way to ensure you meet that goal. It improves both the quality of life and for most, the longevity. I have become sort of a substitute mother for a cousin because her mother is very obese, has had a stroke and a heart attack by 63, and  refuses to do anything to lose weight. She's just decided to hunker down and wait to die, surrounded by pizza boxes and bags of cookies. Meanwhile her beautiful/bright/funny 30 year old daughter (a doctor) is aching to have a mom who is there for her. I am thrilled to have a relationship with this wonderful young woman, but very sad for both mother and daughter.