is this for seniors?

[stoongal 10]

I am planning on having this surgery done in Mexico this fall. My kids are having coniptions (all against it). They think I am too old - I am 71 yrs old, so they think that this procedure will be way too risky for me. Never mind in MEXICO!! (perceptions are everything rule again!)

I am hoping I am not the oldest patient for this procedure ever!

I am not morbidly obese - 220 lbs, but my height has shrunk to just over 5"2".

Arthritis has plagued me for more than 5 yrs now and last year I had both knees replaced. Now my shoulders and hands etc are feeling very achy.

Other than that I am not too bad for my age. Have the usual high blood pressure and high cholesterol that comes with being so overweight.

Want to be closer to normal to stave off being diagnosed in the next 5 yrs or so with all the obesity related diseases and conditions.

Am I crazy to be doing this at my age?

[SIZE SEVEN 0]

I had my VSG surgery June 17th in Mexicali, Mexico (Dr. Aceves) and everything was every bit as nice and modern as a US hospital. Make sure to discuss your age with your doctor and be honest about all aches, pains, and problems. If the doc says it's ok at your age, then I would do it. Don't let people scare you into thinking all of Mexico is dangerous. The US has more murders, kidnappings, etc. each day than Mexico...(just watch our own news and that's enough to scare anybody). Be cautious anywhere you go but you will be safe and well cared for if your surgery is at Almater Hospital in Mexicali. Good luck and let us know when you have a surgery date.

[learned2bskinny 81]

Crazy? No Way!! If your doctor okays it, then I say You Go Girl! It was the best thing I ever did, and I, too, went to Mexicali. You will find it great there. Of course your family will be worried, but youre doing this for you. Don't let them take this away from you.

[cajun 46]

No way are you too old! You are never too old to get healthier. I am over 60 myself, and know that I will feel 20 years younger after I have lost all the weight. I will be sleeved soon.

As long as you are careful to research the surgeon, have evidence that he has performed over 300 of the type surgery you are having, and get his statistics on complication rates which compare favorably to US centers of excellence, you will have some good information on which to make your decision. Also be sure your surgery takes place in a fully equipped hospital (not just a clinic) so if there are complications, a specialist will be available to help out. When you are buying a house it's "location, location, location". When you are having surgery, it is "experience, experience, experience".

You can find statistics on physicians in Mexico and in the US at Find a Professional

There are always risks with any surgery, so learn about them and weigh the benefits against the risks for you. Discuss with your primary care physician, and make your decision.

Welcome to the VLS board!

[MacMadame 81]

There was recently a paper about this... WLS is no more risky for seniors than it is for younger people and, on some measures, they do better. There's a link to it here in the "News" section, if you want to search for it. I didn't save a link to it, unfortunately.

[Oregondaisy 2,020]

Where are you going in Mexico to have your surgery done?

[*susan* 1,709]

I commend you for doing this. No matter what the age, we all deserve the opportunity to be healthy and feel better. If having the desire to improve your quality of life, your longevity of life and your overall health is crazy, then I guess everyone of us on this site are crazy right along with you.

[carolyn24seven 11]

hi i wondered if i was too old. i am 62. I figure i have another 20 years left in me, and i want to be healther and more active. I think i am going to do this in sept. still checking it out, but i am 90% there. i am thinking Dr. Aceves in Mexicali.

[stoongal 10]

thanks everyone for your support.

Yes, I am going to go ahead with this - I had already

favored going to Emmanuel Medical in Tiajuana, and the ad to the right cinched it. I was first to respond to get the sleeve for $5000 and the free airfare if scheduled for the 28 of this month. Seeing my PCP tomorrow AM

to get in writing that I am fit for this, then will wire in my $5000!

I am so excited (and a little tentative at the same time) as it is a drastic decision, and one I have been contemplating and researching for only 2 weeks.

I see most of you favor the Mexicali surgeon but I can't pass up this kind of savings. I have read many favorable testimonials about this facility and epecially Dr Almanza. So feel pretty confidant about it all.

:001_cool:

Stoongal

[stoongal 10]

forgot to mention that I am up here in Saskatchewan so with the dollar difference and the cost of airfare being considerably higher, you may understand why the money made a big difference to me, being on only 2 small govt pensions.

[Jagator88 1]

Congrats on your decision to better your life in every aspect :blushing:

[Rosebud2 26]

thanks everyone for your support.

Yes, I am going to go ahead with this - I had already

favored going to Emmanuel Medical in Tiajuana, and the ad to the right cinched it. I was first to respond to get the sleeve for $5000 and the free airfare if scheduled for the 28 of this month. Seeing my PCP tomorrow AM

to get in writing that I am fit for this, then will wire in my $5000!

I am so excited (and a little tentative at the same time) as it is a drastic decision, and one I have been contemplating and researching for only 2 weeks.

I see most of you favor the Mexicali surgeon but I can't pass up this kind of savings. I have read many favorable testimonials about this facility and epecially Dr Almanza. So feel pretty confidant about it all.

:sad0:

Stoongal

I'll say right out that I know nothing of Dr. Almanza so this is not for or against him, but this is not a place to bargain shop!

[Rosebud2 26]

I'm the old lady here who can speak from experience. I was a month shy of 65 when I had my surgery. It was a piece of cake. By the time I got home from the hospital I was just fine. I had no problems in the hospital. I'm doing well on the program - although I'm in an EVIL STALL right now. HATE that. I am determined to get to my goal even if my body wants to maintain on 600 calories.

I figure the next 20 years is going to FINE!

[stoongal 10]

Well, thanks for your encouraging words. We have almost the same starting weight, and I am SO IMPRESSED with your loss so far, almost 60 lbs in just over 3 months! Incredible! You have quite a low goal weight - I was thinking of going for 148 lbs as goal and will happily take anything under that!

You must be shorter or tinier framed or something, not at all built like me I bet. Did your heighth shrink as you got older too? I was 5'5" most of my life, so was so surprised to see it come down so far. When seated my rib cage rests on my hip bones. My other goal is to get my apple shape more normal, want to have a waist below the 35" they say that is so much healthier.

How is the evil stall? Do they come frequently?

I definitely will have the operation on the 28th of this month, did all my paperwork (passport, banking, doctor visit etc) this past week and all is systems go!

My kids are finally accepting, and my hubby is amazingly supportive with it all!

I am so blessed!

Here's to the next 20 years!

[kaykay 1]

I'll say right out that I know nothing of Dr. Almanza so this is not for or against him, but this is not a place to bargain shop!

I have to second this.