RNY at 59

Hi, I am scheduled for an RNY on June 12, 2012.  I am hoping for some honest information on how you think your recovery may have differed from a younger person.  I am very excited to be able to have this procedure done.  I am 5' 4"  and weigh 235# .   I have had surgery in the past, 2 c-sections, Gall Bladder, Hysterectomy, tumors removed from legs but I was much younger at the time.   I know we all heal differently but would appreciate any and all advice !!!

Hi Joyce...glad you found us here on OFF (over fifty forum) great bunch here!!

I had my RNY when I was almost 55 and it went great!! Every now and then the little tummy lets me know who is still the boss...lol. My only regret is that I didn't have it done sooner!!! My recovery time wasn't very long at all...I had mine done laproscopically. Went back to work after my first check up.

Follow the dr and dietician rules and remember to sip sip sip and walk walk walk and you should be fine!!

You are from Michigan? Where abouts? I used to live in Saginaw. Had my surgery done in Grand Rapids by Dr Foote.

Hope to see you back here and remember no question is a dumb one!! We will support you!!

HUGS

Judy,

Thank you for the warm welcome !!  I grew up and lived in Manchester , a small village about 25 miles southwest of Ann Arbor.  We moved to the country in 2000 and that put us in Grass Lake mailing area.

My sister and her family live in Grand Rapids.  She and her daughter had WLS in 2010 done by Dr. Kemmeter.

I am going to need support so I will be back !!

 I had my surgery done in Detroit and was driven home three days later with no pain meds needed since  day after surgery!
best thing I've ever done for myself, struggling with little regain right now, but it all good!

Ann, 

I think you had the same Dr. that my sister had..Henry Ford Hospital?
In case you and Judy are wondering how many sisters do I have, I have 4 and 3 of them have had RNY in the past 5 years. 

I have always recovered quickly from my surgeries and am hoping this one will be be no different !  Thank you for the quick response!

Yes it's been an amazing journey and I'm so glad I've done this not just for me but my family  as well! 

You are going to do fine!!

I was older and sailed through it without a problem. I have had many other surgeries as well. Healing went quick and I didn't need much pain medicines at all.

I had Laproscopic RNY not the opening up RNY. It was easy!!

Good luck....be brave....you will be glad you did!! See you on the losers bench!!

HUGS....connie d

Connie,

I am so glad to hear that you did so well after surgery !!  I am having my done Laproscopiclly as well. 

I feel pretty brave most days but have to admit sometimes I wonder what I am getting myself into.  I have watched my sisters go thru this and decided I wanted to get healthy too !

Save a spot for me on that loser's bench !

Joyce,

Advice= relax and follow instructions, then enjoy this new life.

I was 59 (5 1/2 years ago), 320 lbs, 5'2", tons of medical issues  and had several previous surgeries. WLS was by far, the easiest. I woke up after surgery and asked when they were going to begin. Within 30 minutes of being in my hospital room I was up and walking. Yes, carefully, but moving.

I have lost 200 lbs with a slight regain this past year. Probably good because my family and others said I looked sickly.

Keep in touch with the caring people on this site. They will get you through with flying colors.

Annette

I had my RNY at 50.  I had a quick recovery.  I got out of the hospital on Sunday; DH and son drove me over 8 hours home; Monday morning I was up and moving around; Taught on Tuesday.  I have to say that the only thing that bothered me was being so tired for the first couple of weeks.  I had to work to get all my water in and to get my food in.  I've had a few complications but not because of the surgery but because of an ulcerated small intesting and pouch.  I can tell you that no matter how sick that I have been, I would have the surgery again in a second.   I went from 340 or so pounds (I had already lost from 500) down to 95 (ulcers resulted in a revision and more intestine to absorb) and now I am up to a healthy 140 pounds.  I want to drop back down to 130, so I am exercising and watching everything I eat.  I do things now that I had forgotten how to do like run and jump.  I can walk forever and run for thirty minutes at a time.   I dance and hike and wear girly clothes and have people tell me all the time that I am no bigger than a minute and try as I may, I cannot believe them.  I still think I am huge and really have to work on my true body image.  

You will do fine and you will love having your life back.   Good luck and hang around here; we can help you through the things the doctor forgets to tell you.