Margo H

When I had my surgery years ago the doctor's would not do it on anyone over the age of 50. I would think in later years it could be extremely risky, as our health declines anyways after about 60 or so. I am now about to be 69. M. Hall

I replied weeks ago. I had gastric-roux-en-y 20+ years ago (yes, I was a pioneer)! If you have problems with diarrhea, take iron tablets - that should "tighten" you up. That is what I had to do (doctor recommended). Also good for the "seepage" of stool - as it keeps it more firm. I am almost 6' tall. My top weight was 355. I lost down to 182 - now at 195. It is possible to keep it off - but you DO have to change your eating habits! Also, my biggest problem now is gas - because I do eat candy occasionally. I cannot eat, for instance, a piece of cake or pie, because I STiLL get the "dumping syndrome"; but I can take one bite and that satisfies me, but does give me gas, as does a small piece of candy. Good luck everyone!

I am now approximately 25 years post-gastric bypass surgery, and even though I was a "pioneer" back in 1994 when I had the surgery done in Birmingham, AL, AND I almost died because of a "leak" that created a huge infection inside my body that led me to a 3 week stay in ICU, I WOULD DO IT ALL AGAIN!. Losing 170 pounds was the best thing that ever happened to me. I have read comments from some about "missing" their comfort food. Well, if you had rather have comfort food than be thin, then I would suggest you NOT have the surgery. However, I can assure you that you will be so excited seeing the weight drop off your body that your "comfort food" will not even be a fleeting thought in your mind. As you go from shopping in "plus size" women's clothing to "regular" sizes, you begin to feel normal again. The absolute worst part of the whole experience, even to this very day is the GAS that I experience EVERY SINGLE DAY!! Anything with sugar, or starch, or fiber, will give me GAS. I have to wear a carbon pad (Flat D) every day to work, and sometimes it still passes by the pads. I keep a can of sanitizing spray at my desk (thank God I have my own office), and I sometimes have to spray to keep others from smelling my foul scents. I love who I am today. I did not have skin removal surgery, as I could not afford it, and insurance would not cover it. I am tall, and it doesn't look too bad. Now that I am older, it sags more, but what the heck - I am now the size I always wanted to be, and love it. I went from a size 26 to a 14-16. I am almost 6' tall, and am now 68 years old. The picture below is of me and my daughter (who also had gastric sleeve surgery a couple of years back.) I say "go for it" and love yourself again! Cheers, Margo H.

68 years old here - had my gastric bypass 25 years ago (yes). Besides almost dying from a fistula (leak) which caused widespread infection in my body, after spending 3 weeks In ICU, my children being told to say goodbye to me because I wouldn't live, I DID LIVE!! I knew that God would let me live. I was 355 and got down to 182. I am almost 6' tall, so that was a good weight for me. I am now around 195 and I am okay with that. My biggest issue is the GAS from the foods I eat. It is so embarrassing! I do have arthritis in my spine, knees, neck, etc., because I carried that huge body around for so many years. I deal with it the best I can. Good to see everyone on here!

I might mention that my surgery was done at Carraway Hospital in Birmingham, AL, which no longer exists (it was not on the dropdown listing).

Plain and simple - overeating! I too have a friend that gained back all her weight and had to repeat the bypass because she stretched her stomach out to hold all the food she was eating. I am thankful that I throw up if I overeat, or feel so miserable, that I absolutely have to stop eating!!

I have at least 2-3 UTI's yearly. Usually it is from the diarrhea I experience when I eat something I should not. There will be times it will hit you and you don't always make it to the bathroom, hence the bacteria gets up inside you and causes a UTI. Sorry - kind of graphic - but true. It has happened to me more times than I can count!