Looking for friends my age going through the same.

[donnag53 72]

Hi All,

My name is Donna and I'm 61 years of age and this is my first post. My starting weight is 219lbs and at 5'3" that's a lot to carry around. I have probably tried most diets out there and always managed to put the weight back on and than some. It's time to stop the yo-yo dieting and get control of my life.

My journey started on Nov 27th, 2014 when I had my first apt with Dr. Sowemimo. At that time, I was thinking of having lap band surgery. After speaking with Dr S we decided together that the sleeve was the best option for me. So far I have been to one support group meeting where I met people who have had the surgery and were so great about answering questions and sharing their stories. I also attend one of Dr S's seminars where he explained all the different surgeries. I have 2 more appts with the Nutritionist, have had the psych evail, have been cleared by my Pulmonologist, which is really good as I have sleep apnea. I have been to the Gastro and am awaiting the results of the endoscopy. I still have to meet with my Cardiologist, which is scheduled for Feb 2nd. Than hopefully my packet will be ready to submit to my ins co.

Right now my surgery is scheduled for March 18th. I have to say, like most, I am very nervous. I have a very supportive husband and a best friends who listens to all my concerns and fears.

I have been reading all the information that everyone has been posting and have learned a lot. Keep them coming please.

[Cherich 23]

I had my surgery when I was 62...July 15, 2014. I lost 10 pounds in the 2 months before surgery by quitting sugar and caffine . As of yesterday, i have lost 100 pounds total And am dowm from a size 28 to an 18w. Making a big push to get to onederland by the end of March for my unveiling to my family in CA. Haven't put any pictures on line dince this adventure started. We live in KS. SUCH FUN! You'll love the new you.

[donnag53 72]

Your weight loss just blows my mind. That's awesome. It sounds like you are doing all the right things and I'm sure you will make your goal. Any advice you would like to share is greatly appreciated.

[Nikkidoodlebug 120]

I know I am not Your age but I am excited for you! I will be having my surgery march 11th so I am nervous also. Well good luck to you!

[Wtloss 75]

Cherish wow your wt loss is amazing. Good for you!

Donna try to not get too nervous I did, but honestly it was such an easy experience. Nothing compared to carrying around excess wt. I am 60 and had lapband surgery in 2012 big mistake! It slipped resulting in another surgery to remove the band and then a year later the VSG 11/10/2014. Total of 3 surgeries but the sleeve was the easiest! Only sick day one after that I could hardly tell I had surgery. My wt loss has been slow but I hear this is common when you are a revision from band to sleeve combined with my age. Anyway I am losing not gaining which would be happening if I didn't have the surgery. We can't compare ourselves with people who are much younger they seem to lose much faster.

This website is great because we surround ourselves with friends who have the same goals and many of the same issues with food. It's helpful to see you are not alone. It's encourage me to get out and walk, make better choices etc. best wishes to you you will do great. I lost 11 lbs on preop and 15 lbs post op but lots of inches. I haven't weight this weight in many, many years! I have 30-35 lbs to goal????. It only going to get better for you. It's hard work and takes being organized and dedicated but it's so worth it. Take time now while you are waiting for surgery to read all you can. Make meal plans, read labels. I started using egg whites, 1 egg and add some egg whites rather then 2 eggs, chicken sausage that's low in fat. Eating low carbs seems to be the trick at our age. I can't have a lot of carbs if I want to lose. Start making changes now. No grazing. Eat 3 meals and 2 Snacks. Cut the sugar. cheese sticks are good for Snacks and easy to throw in your purse if you are heading out the door.

You will Rock this!

[donnag53 72]

Wtloss - wow 3 surgeries and still very positive. Thanks fpr the tips

[Babalou 9]

Donna--we will be going through this experience at about the same time. I am scheduled for surgery Feb. 3rd, and I will turn 61 on February 8th. I started going to seminars and support groups in November. I am down to 303 pounds from 344 just on the high Protein low carb diet. I always thought I was 5'10" tall--turns out I have shrunk in the last few years--down to just under 5'8".

I am tired of the yo-yo dieting, too. I have lost probably 300 pounds all total on Weight Watchers over the last 20 years--then gained them all back. I figure it is now or never. I want to travel to Australia when I am 65, and Iceland to see the Northern Lights when I am 70. Might have to rob a bank in between.

Like you, I have the support of my husband, and step kids, and all my close friends. The only person I haven't told is my 85 year old mother. Will tell her after the surgery.

I live in Oklahoma, and the only thing I am really worried about is that there may be an ice storm the morning my surgery is set and I would have to reschedule. Ready to get this show on the road. I wish the best for you. Keep in touch. Charlene

[blackonynx 27]

Hi, I'm your age, hight and 3 lbs heavier. I haven't had surgery yet but will soon be starting the pre diet. I'm hoping to have a date set for week 1or 2 in March. I had the band for 5 years and had it removed 6 months ago. I've gained 10# since the removal and 13 back before the removal. I'm tired of waiting around now b/c I've heard and have done plenty of homework. I've searched around for the best surgery that's right for me. This will be my third surgery too. One Dr. said that if I were sleeved and it didn't work out, then I could still have RNY done. I say knowing this, and due to my co-morbidities, I will just do RNY to avoid a possible 4th surgery. Please! Let's keep in touch.

[Babalou 9]

The RNY sounds reasonable for you. I wouldn't want another risk of problems with anesthesia or the recovery pain. I discussed this with my doctor and he said the only reason I would need to go to the RNY at time of gastric sleeve surgery would be if he found a very large hiatal hernia that could not be safely repaired. I gave him permission to perform the RNY without waking me up to discuss it. I have no symptoms of a hernia, so don't expect to go this route. The problems you had with the lap band have shown up in so many other blog responses that I didn't want to go that route. Glad you wrote about it. Hope you get the results that you--and all of us--want. C

[catdaddy 232]

Hi, The sixties over here is more active than the one on the Gastric Bypass side and now that the subject of RNY has come up I thought I'd chime in. I'm 61 and had the RNY procedure done last August in Gainesville, Florida. I think any WLS you get you'll be happy with. With mine I couldn't be more pleased. Just wanted to say hi to ya'll and best of luck.

[sukik 59]

I'm 63 and started with a low BMI. I'm 3 months post op and have lost over 50% of my excess weight. I did the surgery because I kept gaining and gaining. I have no regrets and can't wait to get to my goal weight of 138. I'm 5'5. Starting weight was 184.

[IcanMakeit 1,319]

I am 61 and had my VSG in May 2014. I have lost 119 lbs so far, surpassing my surgeon's goal. I believe I could stand to lose a few more pounds, but if that doesn't happen, I'm still happy. I haven't been at this weight (125) since college.

My new focus is on maintenance. For me, this is the real fight. Losing weight, it's easy to stay motivated, but once you reach goal, you can start sliding. Been there, done that! This time I understand that I have not been dieting these past few months. I have been learning a new, permanent way of eating.

[Kathleengk 1]

Hi Donna, I am in your age group..I am 63 and live in upstate NY, north of Albany. My starting weight was 236 and I am 5'7". I had the sleeve on Dec 1 so today marks 9 weeks since my surgery. I don't know how much I lost since I am only weighing at the doctor's office. At my 10 day check I was at 220 which was amazing to me. I am not weighing since when I do I focus only on the scale and do it multiple times a day and allow the number to influence my emotional eating. So I am focusing on the healthy eating and not the number. Many people are so curious and probably don't believe I don't know the number but it is really true. My next appointment is at the end of Feb. Some of my clothes are looser and many friends say my face is thinner. (I really want to loose in different parts, not my face.

A little about me..chubby all my life, gained after each of two births, had some success with diets but really became a yoyo dieter. Being overweight has affected my mobility, my joints and my self image. I qualified and began the process for lap band about 10 years ago but I could not lose the weight they required at that time and then I had hip replacement so I thought that would help my exercise and mobility. didn't happen..

So now 10 years later I finally took this big step. Yes I was afraid and I still am concerned that it is not reversal. That is enough for now. Maybe I can help by saying, don't be nervous but that won't help. Do you have a support group at your Doctor's office? I went to that before the surgery and felt better hearing people share their concerns.

Write back with questions and a little about you. Kathy

[Cherich 23]

The sleeve was invented as a first surgery before RNY. My doc says its as successful as RNY, without the negatives, like dumping. Also you are not losing weight through mal absorption. I liked that.

Though i have had great results, I have been far from an angel and have yet to start exercising. Joining Curves this week. Got a free membership with my health insurance. Still have 60 lbs to go, so I need to buckle down if I want to make it to goal by my anniversary date July 15th,

[Babalou 9]

Donna--got your long message. Trying to figure out how to respond to a friend request on this iPad. Have to have a friend show me in the next couple of days. Did you get a CanAm or a trike? I highly recommend old Route 66. Never done it on a motorcycle, but have been on it many times from OK to NV. A cross country trip would be a great reward for both of you.

I went for my pre-op with the surgeon last Thursday, and I was so proud that I had lost 40#, six more than he had required. The bad news is, I cannot gain ANY weight before surgery next Tuesday. We are driving to San Antonio this weekend, and I had planned to taste as many bites of BBQ as I could. Not over eat--just one last "Hurrah". If I had known I had to maintain the pre-op weight, I would have put 6#s of rocks in my pockets! Guess I will just be trying my new life style a week earlier than planned.

So what are you most concerned about? I think I will have a hard time rearranging my social life so it does not center around eating. That is what my husband and I do for fun--meet friends at a favorite restaurant, and I have four close friends and I meet at least one of them at least once a week. Over a meal, of course. Can't afford to go shopping all the time, same for the casinos.

We may have to learn to play old lady card games. All of them are supportive, and all could stand to loose some pounds, though they are not in my league. I live in a retirement community, too, but all we have available is walking. I can get to a pool for exercise, but cannot face myself in a swimsuit. My knees are "bone on bone", so walking is just about out. I can ride a stationary bike, and am considering an adult tricycle.

More later when I figure out how. C