Two fold question; 1) An age inventory & 2) How Long....

(deactivated member)
on 1/7/07 11:16 am - MO
Men, I have a two fold question. I was told recently that I'm nearing the top limit of the age that most doctors will perform a RNY, I'm 47. Secondly, I have a extremely public job. My question, 'Do people generally just come out and question you about your RNY?' I'm like, I'll entertain questions and talk about the RNY for two years and then I'm going to say, "Who me? No way!" In other words I don't want my surgery to be the topic of conversation everytime I go out! What's your experiences. Thanks men!
Rick A.
on 1/7/07 11:42 am - Far Northern, CA
Hi Bob, I was 45 when I had my surgery done, but my surgeron does people as young as 60. I know of others that are older that have had it done. It's always your choice to tell people or not about your surgery or your health in general. The one thing is that people will notice the difference in you. I have found most of the people that don't know about my surgery want to know if I feel okay. I feel great. When people tell me I look great, I just answer with thank you. If there is someone that may benefit from my knowledge of the surgery, I will talk with them for hours. If someone is just nosy or curious I tend to be more tight lipped. Good luck with you journey and feel free to ask lots of questions. Life is good, Rick
(deactivated member)
on 1/7/07 12:07 pm - MO
Thanks Rick! You live in Northern California, let's go wet a line sometime. I'm looking forward to getting back to Fly Fishing. It's been 12 years since I've Fly Fished, simply because I became tired doing the equipment, then standing in the river, and the rest...I can't wait!
Dx E
on 1/7/07 2:04 pm - Northern, MS
Bob, I turned 50 this last August! Feel younger than I did at 30!! As for everyone discussing the surgical aspect of such a dramatic life change? I know guys out here who have "played it close to the vest." They told no one anything, or maybe- "I had Gall-Bladder surgery." I, on the other hand, Told everyone in earshot! Got it all over in the first round of conversations As they noticed the extreme weight loss. Now? I'm just a Normal guy... If someone who hasn't seen me in a while asks I'll usually say- "I went on the "Al Roker Diet." When they realize and start- "...but, ...er...didn't he have? That Surgery?" A quick- "Yep, you got it!" And that's the end of it. I think for the gals it's much more of an issue. For instance,... Have you had the need to ask your friends again and again- "Do these pants make my but look big?" Somehow that's an actual topic of conversation for the girls. Everyone deals with how they discuss their weight-loss differently. For me, that part of the experience has been a "Non-issue." Best Wishes- Dx
(deactivated member)
on 1/7/07 7:26 pm
(deactivated member)
on 1/7/07 9:38 pm - Houston, TX
Hey Bob... That is strange...we have a chich in support group who is 72, and doing well...I have heard that some of the less experienced doctors set age limits...Wonder whee you are hearing that from ? I'm so happy to behealthy again...I'll tell anyone, anything, anytime....I'll pull up my shirt in the middle of the mall.... This was hard as hell, and I will always pat myself on the back Russ
abruchis
on 1/7/07 9:39 pm - gainesville, GA
Hi Bob, My surgeon told me that the younger you are, the better your chances are for a easy recovery/low complication rate. He said that most men wait till they are older and have a lot of co-morbidities to get the operation. Most men that come to him are 52 and older, I was the spring chicken of 42. So while some surgeons might have a age limit, or a weight limit, it's not etched in stone. As for going out, i agree, it's your ball game. People will compliment you, but you never have to say any more than you want. For me, the main time I have to tell people is if I'm eating with them, and then I just say i had a stomach operation and cant eat as much as I used to. And thats just because while they eat fast, I eat slow, and take a doggy bag/or just get an appetizer. Just be prepared, the ladies might chase you a bit. And by "might" I mean will. And by "chase" I mean, you better practice your fly fishing teqnique, I hear it works well when using a club to beat em off! Seriously though, good luck on this adventure! To me, this is about taking back power over your life, so even though you have a public job, every decision is yours. Keep in touch Aaron
(deactivated member)
on 1/8/07 12:24 am - Waterdown, Canada
Hello Bob.. Well, after reading the posts here, I guess I'm up at the "top" edge of the agegroup... I was 57 in June and had my WLS on Oct 3rd of last year...my surgeon, Dr. William O'Malley made no comment on age at his seminars so when I had my private consult with him, I asked. He commented that the only thing age does was to slow the healing process slightly, and he also said the length of time I had been obese would also only marginally retard my skin "compacting" My own WLS was publicized here in my small town of 10,000. As I was the Pres of the local Chamber, news of same appeared in our newsletter and the local weekly too...and people still come up and say "hey Jim! you look great...keep it up!" And NOTHING is nicer than a total stranger offering their best wishes....and if questionned further, I'll start discussing same with great detail etc. etc. I'm proud of what I've accomplished and I have my life back! Now that is a cool thing no matter HOW old you are... Jim
(deactivated member)
on 1/8/07 1:03 am - MO
I'm 47 and will probably be closer to 48 when I have my surgery, although I hope not. My insurance has been approved and I'm ready - I think! I have my first meeting with the doctor, Wednesday, January 10. I chose to go to the Bariatrics Center at the University of Missouri because their doctors, although young in age, are specialists in the field, but not nearly the 10-15k of surgeries one responder said his doctor has performed. I'm public because I am a pastor of a large church in town and I wish for persons to focus on me as a spiritual director rather than someone who had rny, although I'm learning much through this forum. It took me some time to get through my head that rny was needed because of an obesity disease and not simply a 'thorn' that I could control. Anyhoo, it's a lot simplier for me to minister to others than they focusing on me and ministering to me. Maybe this is just a hard lesson. Thanks again for your answers and please pray for me on Wednesday, pray for a spirit of courage. -Bob-
abruchis
on 1/8/07 3:08 am - gainesville, GA
bob, While I wouldnt presume to comment the specifics on your faith and your vision as a spiritual director, I would say this. Taking action to positively improve your life and your ability to serve would probably be a huge inspiration for many people in your community. In fact, if people try and focus on YOU as opposed to your message, you can use your experiences as a parable for doing what is hard, because it is right. I hope I'm not to far off the mark here, but I always find that peoples personal journeys and lessons are more inspirational and motivating than general discussions. Your journey could be just the thing that some people need to see how actions mean more than words. Anyway, those are my thoughts, as unclear as they may be (at work, so i have to be quick)
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