how about age and surgery

kmre · Feb 16, 2014

this is KMRE...Karen.... I thought I would share my age. I will be 73 in April. My surgeon assured me that even at this age, I will benefit greatly from this surgery. My primary doctor is only minimally supportive. Diabetic specialist started me on this road. Husband...who is tall and skinny and over ten yrs younger than me is 100% with me. I have researched, thought and truly prayed about this and feel a definite go. My reg. dr laughs at me every time she sees me as I honestly look about 30...nary a wrinkle on my face except on the side of my mouth from a stroke. dr says it's a shock every time she sees me because I don't age.

ONE of my goals for weight loss is to be able to wear a pair of jeans my husband has out grown around the middle. i'll have to roll the legs up a ten feet but what fun!

KAREN IN ALASKA

jduffy · Feb 17, 2014

Hi, Karen. I'm jduffy. At 58, soon to be 59, I was worried that I'd be rejected by the Cleveland Clinic BMI unit. I've been waiting since the end of January to hear from them. Actually, the paper work goes to GA then to Cleveland. With all the snow in GA everything has been shut-down for the last few work-days.
I assume that you've got underlying medical reasons, other than being diabetic.
Keep us posted.
jduffy

Cheyenne · Feb 17, 2014

kmre said:
this is KMRE...Karen.... I thought I would share my age. I will be 73 in April. My surgeon assured me that even at this age, I will benefit greatly from this surgery. My primary doctor is only minimally supportive. Diabetic specialist started me on this road. Husband...who is tall and skinny and over ten yrs younger than me is 100% with me. I have researched, thought and truly prayed about this and feel a definite go. My reg. dr laughs at me every time she sees me as I honestly look about 30...nary a wrinkle on my face except on the side of my mouth from a stroke. dr says it's a shock every time she sees me because I don't age.

ONE of my goals for weight loss is to be able to wear a pair of jeans my husband has out grown around the middle. i'll have to roll the legs up a ten feet but what fun!

KAREN IN ALASKA

Hi Karen!!! I had my R-N-Y done last June. I was and I still am 64 yrs old. Age doesn't seem to be a factor. I didn't have diabetes yet but the doctor said tests showed I was insulin resistant. My blood sugar was always good though, usually 90 or 100 at the highest. But anyway, there are many older people on this site who have done super well having bariatric surgery. As I have said many times, I would do it over in a second!!!

Cheyenne

dancinbr · Feb 17, 2014

kmre said:
this is KMRE...Karen.... I thought I would share my age. I will be 73 in April. My surgeon assured me that even at this age, I will benefit greatly from this surgery. My primary doctor is only minimally supportive. Diabetic specialist started me on this road. Husband...who is tall and skinny and over ten yrs younger than me is 100% with me. I have researched, thought and truly prayed about this and feel a definite go. My reg. dr laughs at me every time she sees me as I honestly look about 30...nary a wrinkle on my face except on the side of my mouth from a stroke. dr says it's a shock every time she sees me because I don't age.

ONE of my goals for weight loss is to be able to wear a pair of jeans my husband has out grown around the middle. i'll have to roll the legs up a ten feet but what fun!

KAREN IN ALASKA

Hi Karen,

I am 70 and I had my gastric bypass last November 4, 2013 just before I turned 70. The way (no pun intended) I figure, this procedure hopefully is buying me more time so that perhaps if nothing else gets me I will make my 80s and more.

Ralph

Karenina · Feb 17, 2014

You look good, you feel good. Why not? You could live another 30 years, or you could get hit by a bus tomorrow. I don't think it matters how old you are. Good luck to you.
My husband passed away about 3 years ago and I had given away all of his clothing except his coats. Now I know why. They fit me! A men's medium fits me! I'm thrilled to be able to wear them.

dancinbr · Feb 19, 2014

Karenina said:
You look good, you feel good. Why not? You could live another 30 years, or you could get hit by a bus tomorrow. I don't think it matters how old you are. Good luck to you.
My husband passed away about 3 years ago and I had given away all of his clothing except his coats. Now I know why. They fit me! A men's medium fits me! I'm thrilled to be able to wear them.

So sorry about your husbands passing. One of the things my wife and I finally enjoy now is each of us.

The kids have moved on. We are lucky to hear from one of them about once or twice a month. The other isn't talking to us; oh well.

The third is in a group home. He calls us a few times a week; we love him so.

But the huge burden with my wife's Mom's passing has been lifted off of us.

My wife is looking and feeling so much better now.

So, enjoy your hubby's coats and I hope you have fond memories of him.

Ralph

Julianna · Feb 19, 2014

Hello Karen

I am 61 and have been scheduled for surgery for March 19, 2014. I am looking forward to surgery to feel better and be healthy. You have to make this decision for yourself and don't let anyone sway you. Best wishes with your journey and keep in touch so we can encourage and answer any questions along the way.

Julianna

Kim M · Feb 19, 2014

Had my surgery when I was 57. Will be 59 in March and am healthier now than I have been in years. Wishing you all the best in your upcoming surgery.

kmre · Feb 20, 2014

Yes, jduffy, many other health issues. I have severe fibromyalgia, scoliosis, sciatica on both sides, twisted spine which curves into my abdoman...this is different from the scoliosis...arthritis, high blood pressure, i've had four strokes...one major...two heart attacks, low thyroid. Although i have medical proof of the major stroke and the heart attacks, they can no longer been seen in my body because the lord has totally restored my body from those issues except for the wrinkle at the side of my mouth. After the stroke, i could not speak clearly enough to be understood. Two weeks after the stroke, i told the lord i'd sure like to have my voice back. When i went to wake my husband for his night shift, i could speak absolutely clearly. Apparently, all the heart damage was corrected at the same time, when i had my heart eval for this surg. Done three weeks ago, the specialist said my heart was absolutely perfect.

Karen

dancinbr · Feb 20, 2014

kmre said:
Yes, jduffy, many other health issues. I have severe fibromyalgia, scoliosis, sciatica on both sides, twisted spine which curves into my abdoman...this is different from the scoliosis...arthritis, high blood pressure, i've had four strokes...one major...two heart attacks, low thyroid. Although i have medical proof of the major stroke and the heart attacks, they can no longer been seen in my body because the lord has totally restored my body from those issues except for the wrinkle at the side of my mouth. After the stroke, i could not speak clearly enough to be understood. Two weeks after the stroke, i told the lord i'd sure like to have my voice back. When i went to wake my husband for his night shift, i could speak absolutely clearly. Apparently, all the heart damage was corrected at the same time, when i had my heart eval for this surg. Done three weeks ago, the specialist said my heart was absolutely perfect.

Karen

Hi Karen,

The importance of other medical issues is the criteria for being accepted for weight loss surgery. The first criteria is having an BMI over 40. The second criteria is a BMI over 35 with medical conditions.

The fact that you have medical conditions even if they are in the past you are elgible for weight loss surgery if your bmi is over 35.

Ralph