WLS at 55, As effective as at 25?

Hi All - I was invited by Jan to check this forum out.  Thanks Jan!  My question is probably kind of silly, but I am wondering if, at age 55, am I going to have the same success as those who are younger?  I'm not sure I can exercise like I will need to.  I have health issues that make it more than difficult to move, and of course my obesity hasn't helped.  My surgery date is 09/17/09, and I have been reading OH like a fiend for weeks now.  I'm so excited, but maybe I should cool my jets a little bit?  Thanks for any replies.

Hello, and welcome!

You'll be having your surgery the day after my 3rd anniversary of my rny. I was 51 at the time and had sleep apnea, high blood pressure and a host of ailments. Three months after my rny I had a partial tear of  my achilles tendon which made it impossible to exercise. It healed enough, but was only temporary and completely ruptured in March. Long story short, after 4 surgeries  on it, IV antibiotics and no working for three months, I still made it to my goal by July of that year....10 months after my WLS.

The young  may have their  advantages, but knowledge, determination and the wisdom of maturity can out trump them any day!  You'll do fine. All I can say is FOLLOW THE RULES.

Hi SweetnessandGrace,
Welcome to OFF.
I was 58 last Nov when I had my surgery.  No problems with the surgery and healed well.  Have had some 'foamies' my own fault as I ate too fast or too much at a time. 
Also an episode of dmping as I tried to eat some fried onion rings - not a good idea especially as early out as I was.
Follow your doctors rules and you should be fine.
Sheri

I don't think being 55 makes a difference in your success.  You will be surprised as you begin to lose weight how much improved your overall health will become.  I could barely walk and now I run, so it is impossible to say one age does better or worse than the other.  Good luck

 9/17 is my wedding anniversary.

While our skin will not have the elastic as it did when were in our 20s I have to believe that my age now will provide other benefits that a 20 year old will not have.

I also believe that 20 - 30 40 or 60..... if we don't care for ourselves when we can - we will not be around to care.

Peace
Mary - 

I had my RNY 6 days after my 53rd birthday (my surgiversary is 7/9 and my actual birthday is 7/3). 

I had a host of ailments whi*****luded back pain, knee pain, degenerative disc disease, edema, severe sleep apnea (I was having an average of 67 episodes an hour), asthma, and probably a few others I can't think of right now. 

There is no such thing as too much research--the people on this forum are very knowledgable and what you always have to keep in mind is that everyone is different.

I had a total hysterectomy in January of 04 which sent my weight spiraling out of control.  I should say it was a contributing factor because I battled my weight since kindergarten.  I have been at "normal" weights in my lifetime but not for long.  From my heaviest weight, I lost 181 pounds and 160 pounds from my surgery weight.  I didn't lose any weight for the surgery--fortunately, I wasn't required to but I wish I could have.  My surgeon just didn't want me to gain anything by surgery day.  I was at my heaviest 3 weeks before surgery but the liquid diet brought me back down.  In clothing sizes, I went from a Roamans 5X (couldn't even fit into Catherine's at that point) to a 20-22 now. 

By losing weight, especially recently, I have been able to do a lot more.  I'm not as tired and can exercise more now than I could even after 6 months post op.  I can now eat dense protein as long as I chew it a lot.  Chewing a lot, for me anyway, sends the signal that I am full a lot sooner.

I am totally surprised at what happened as was my surgeon.  I looked at my before and after pics that they took (I have to figure out how to post them on my blog) and almost broke down crying.  I hugged my surgeon and thanked him endlessly.  Thank you Dr. Chaing!!!

I'm sorry this is so long but don't let age be a barrier.  There is a lady that posts on here that had her surgery when she was 68 and she is now 70 years young.  Hi Pat!!

Best to you.

Sylvia

Thank you, everybody.  I was hoping you would say that!  I'm so glad this forum exists.  I was a little put off by the OMGs, and WTFs (which I am pretty sure I don't approve of), and other initials that I still haven't figured out on the other forums.  I guess I'm just an old fogey.  I'm really looking forward to getting to know all of you.

I am 10 weeks out from VSG at age 61. Though not losing at any record-setting pace, I have to look at the fact that I am off diabetes meds, off blood pressure meds, and the venous stasis that was threatening to turn the skin of my leg into an ulcer is now almost history. How's that for starters?
Difficulty exercising? Check your local YMCA and join an aqua aerobics class. They have all levels, including classes aimed at people with arthritis and other mobility issues. Moving in the water is so much easier!
Same success as the younger folks?? In my book it's better! Don't cool your jets at all! You will have a new life that you can enjoy!

i wa s 65 when i had my surgery  almost 3 years ago....i could barely walk from my chair in the living room to the bathroom and back...I lost all of my weight before my one year anniversary and have not gained any back since then...after about the first month i started walking around the house on the outside then a little more each day ...did fine on the exercise of walking that was all i ever did...i have had one knee replacement since then and will have the other knee replaced this fall...i think the young may loose faster than us but we have more knowledge to give us more determination. knowing that this is our last chance....good luck you will do fine and if all you can do is chair exercises that will be ok too.

Great pic Jan~