pamela

Welp! I’m 4 days post op. I had a revision from lapband to RNY and it was much more than anticipated!
My surgeon told me I needed to have my gallbladder out at the same time (I had gallstones) so I was prepared for that but once he got in there he found A LOT of scar tissue from the lapband (mind you, it’s been 20yrs since I got it) and then a hernia!!!! So I was in surgery for 4 hours! I feel as good as expected I guess but wanted to give everyone a heads up… just be prepared for the unexpected! ❤️

How are all my April buddies doing so far? I’ve lost about 20lbs so far.

Welp! I’m 4 days post op. I had a revision from lapband to RNY and it was much more than anticipated!
My surgeon told me I needed to have my gallbladder out at the same time (I had gallstones) so I was prepared for that but once he got in there he found A LOT of scar tissue from the lapband (mind you, it’s been 20yrs since I got it) and then a hernia!!!! So I was in surgery for 4 hours! I feel as good as expected I guess but wanted to give everyone a heads up… just be prepared for the unexpected! ❤️

Hey!! I also live in H Town!!

Hi! I am 51 and having a revision from lap band to RNY on April 3. I’d like to hear from someone my age or older… how did your surgery go? Do you think age makes a difference?

Hello everyone! My name is Lorna and I have my RNY Gastric Bypass surgery scheduled for the 10th of April 2024. I am based is Ireland and looking for a surgery buddy. I also just want to open this thread for any questions we can help each other with.

I am 67 years old and just had VSG surgery on 1/24/24. I had a very easy recovery, I think. Obviously my incisions were tender and my left side hurt when I bent over. But other than that I felt pretty good. A little tired (after effects of anesthesia?) on a couple of days during the week after but a quick nap was the solution. I had no need for the pain medication I was sent home with. I took Tylenol once but it was for a headache. I am 6 1/2 weeks out and have lost 15 pounds. I had the "3 week stall" at 2 weeks and it lasted for 2 weeks but I am back to losing slowly. It appears I am going to be a slow loser, but I was that way before the surgery any time i tried to lose weight. I was (and am) most concerned with reducing my risk for diabetes, which is in my family medical history. I would also like to get off of blood pressure and cholesterol medication.
I asked my doctor when I first went for my consultation if I was too old...he said "Absolutely not. My oldest VSG patient so far was 80 at the time of surgery." So I stopped worrying about age being a factor. And I feel great and have tons of energy.
You'll do fine!!

I will be turning 50 exactly 1 week from today and had RNY surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago. The surgery went well and I'm doing fantastic! If it weren't for the incisions on my belly and the desire for a quick afternoon nap when that wasn't my habit before, I would almost forget I had surgery at all.
So far the recovery has been far easier than I imagined. A few days of pain managed with Tylenol, some fatigue, and that's it. My blood pressure, which has been high even with meds for a decade or more, has been back in the normal range without meds since the minute I woke up from the anesthesia. I'm not sure age is as important as your general health, immune system, etc. I've been lucky in that I generally don't get sick when others do, never had food allergies or digestive issues, and am in fairly good health except for the obesity related concerns I was hoping to reverse/ward off.

I'M DOWN TO 253!!!!! I started at 294. I'm so freaking geeked. I'm telling you right now I hit 205 and clothing will be optional. I hit my goal weight and I'm changing my name to Nekkid lol

Good lord! Grady, why do you have a pic of your mom as your avitar when you look so young and adorbs here? LOVE the outfit and the lady!

I’ll start!

I’m channeling my inner Elle Woods today ?

My skin broke out right after my surgery! Omg. I am on week six postop and it is cleared up, but wow, it did not like the change.

In the USA, federal legislation called the No Surprises Act was enacted in 2021 to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. It has been supplemented with changes as recently as January of 2024. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and patients have protections and rights against certain charges. Here's a link for more information:
https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
Many of us have had to navigate the complex insurance system in the States and we are no strangers to advocating for ourselves. I was hit with a surprise bill 4 months after my surgery and having knowledge of this legislation helped me avoid paying a large amount of money to an out of network provider that assisted with my surgery.

Hi All,
I thought I would share my resent adventure in traveling after surgery. Husband and I spent the holiday in Maui. As we all know when flying there is that 3 oz limit on liquids which I was concerned about. How am I going to get my proteins, water, pills and vitamins all in with the total day was spent flying? Here is what I came up with before traveling and it worked for me.
For protien: I found Bariatric Fusion sells the powder in individuals packets. I also packed in my carry on 2 One protien bars. I picked up a yogurt at the airport to mix the powder in it. On lay overs I was able to find a couple places that had healthy food choice, like the Grab and Go.
For water : I took with me a portable water bottle filled it up before got on the planes. I also asked the stewards to fill it up with water and ice while on the plane and it was no problem at all they where happy to do it.
For Pills & Vitamins : I got those weekly pill cases one for morning and one for evening. Filled them up with the prescriptions I need for the week and stuck them in my carry on. This included my Biotin and Probiotics. I take fiber powder everyday and was able to find Walgreens carries fiber sticks. I got a box of those counted out how many I needed for the trip and put it in a carry on.
I used a back back as my carryon and was able to get everything in there that I need. In Maui there was a lot of fish options which was great for me I love fish. I lot of the time we just split a meal as they where so big and I don't eat alot. I also picked up some individual low fat milk to put my protien powder in. This is usually my breakfast so it was nice to be able to stick to my routine.
I was nervous about traveling and staying on track but once I found out that I could take with me what I needed it was a load off my mind. I was able to really enjoy our vacation.
I hope this is helpful for any of you who are thinking of traveling or getting ready to travel.
Melody

I had my VSG at 49.5, and then plastics just a couple weeks before I turned 51. I don’t feel like my age affected my healing. I took 3 weeks off work after each surgery, but both times felt like I could have gone back after 2. I attribute this to starting to be active as soon as I could after surgery (lightly active, no strenuous exercise). I walked a slow, gentle mile the day after my MMO surgery.

I am almost 60, but I had my roux-en-y back in 2000 when I was much younger. I wish I had some wisdom for you, I'm here in search of my own.....lol

I can honestly say I’ve never felt better. You leave the old habits and build new ones! I was never nervous about the surgery, I was more nervous about being successful. Trust the process it WORKS!

I'm 52 years old and am scheduled for a RNY in 4 days. I am super nervous about post-op pain. It is so helpful to hear and read about all of these successful results. I have a hefty case of fibromyalgia, which intensifies the pain response. Do any of you have this complication as well?

Surgery 12/14/23 RNY. I turned 51 ten days later. I will be 4 months post op 4/14. Doing well, had a stall and now my hair is thinning in spots. I’ve been exercising since I came home. Only issue is some constipation.. ??‍♀️

Follow up: Surgery went well. Doctor was very pleased with it and my post-op. Tomorrow is the one week mark and I feel pretty good. Following the protein and water intake rules. Using a medicine cup to drink from so that I remember to sip helps a lot.
Anyway happy to report that surgery at 60 is going even better than it was at 50 so far!!

I just turned 51 last Thursday, my surgery is in 2 weeks. I started the liquid diet unofficially last week , I make it to afternoon okay and then want something solid in my stomach- any suggestions? I drink over 132 ounces of water each day, no caffeine or carbonation. I officially start my liquid diet tomorrow!

I had my RNY procedure last January at 52. So far so good. 2 days in the hospital, I managed my pain at home with Tylenol instead of the hydrocodone I was given. No complications, I did have a bout of dumping when eating peanut butter for the first time post-surgery. I can tolerate it now.
I lost a total of 85 pounds. I had a 3-week stall last March. I am off CPAP. My A1C is at 5.5 and I am feeling great. I love my new body. I am working on minimizing the scars with silicone scar and tretinoin via the advice of my dermatologist. My asthma is way under control so need for my maintenance inhaler. I feel that this was a reset in my life in many ways. I do Zumba, walk, and use dumbells to stay in shape. I make sure to stay hydrated per my surgeon's instructions. I follow my surgical team's advice to the letter. I'm just feeling blessed. Best of luck in your journey.

I was almost 55 when I had my surgery (gastric bypass). I just turned 56. I have lost 103 pounds. I have about 35-40 to go. I slowed way down right before my 1 year anniversary. But, I haven’t gained any. Which is good considering I can’t stay away from sugar.

I'm 51, 9 weeks post op. I was working out regularly before surgery, doing well post op for the most part. Pretty sure I'll be feeling even better in another few weeks.

I only ever eat full fat everything and that's since day one post op. I am so done with the mega processed low fat diet 'food' forever I hope. That stuff made me obese in the first place. I would rather have an ounce of regular cheese than a shedload of pretend cheese. Fat as part of a balanced diet is what helps me feel full/satiated and stops me eating for hours afterwards. So, to answer your question - I eat ALL kinds of cheese, just slowly and in moderation!