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Is 62 too old? I'm gonna find out!



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I attended a seminar on WLS 12 years ago. It was expensive, I had college aged kids, and no way was my insurance going to cover it. I was just not heavy enough and it was still in its infancy with hardly any success stories yet. So I decided to loose it on my own. Guess what...

So am now doing it. Took money out of my 401K and am using this now so that I can have the golden years of my dreams. April 8th, here I come.

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It's never too late!! Best of luck and congratulations on making a decision. It's a tough decision but you will not regret it (well,except for the first 2 weeks of normal buyer's remorse--lol--that does go away and you will be thrilled!).

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I am 66 years old and I had a RNY 23 months ago. I think it was one of the better decisions I made in my life. It nipped most of my (weight related) health issues in the bud.

Edited by James Marusek

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Hi Magi Mojo I think you should also go for it. But I would also like to add that some surgeons have more experience operating on more mature patients. I'm sure they will do a thorough examination of you pre-surgically. In addition thorough bloodwork to check for any deficiency. Make sure that you make them work for the services you are paying for. My aunt Joanne was 60 when she had her gastric bypass. She had countless medical issues. She did beautifully. She gained back her mobility and spunk. She was probably around a size 28 and got down to an 8. She is now in her 70's and still going strong. Gone every weekend on some adventure...enjoying those golden years! Best of luck to you and if you need any support or encouragement utilize this site...we truly are a supportive bunch ????

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I'm 59 and waited ten years to get surgery since hubby's work-based insurance specifically excluded it. Every year, I'd hold my breath praying that this would be the year they'd cover it, but no, they never did and still don't.

Enter the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare") and voila - I purchased my own policy (I'm self-employed so didn't have work-based insurance access) and here in AZ, all policies are required to cover WLS. I'm sure all policies/ insurance companies have varying coverages, amounts, deductibles, etc., but my BCBS of AZ policy is great. Yes, I have to pay premiums every month; no, I don't qualify for subsidies on my premiums, so yes, it is a not insignificant added expense monthly to our budget -- but policy was effective Jan. 1 of this year and I was approved and in surgery on Jan. 29th.

Cost of policy every month + deductibles is still WAY WAY less than cost of surgery. I am two-plus months post-bypass and doing great. Have lost about 60 lbs so far and two sizes down. Goodwill is getting a ton of my size 4X's and 5X's, :o)

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Thanks to all who posted to this question. Am very encouraged and motivated. Much appreciation.

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I am 62 also and am expecting to get my bypass surgery date next week. I am very excited but know it is going to take a lot of determination and hard work on my part afterwards. Good luck.

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I am 62 also and am expecting to get my bypass surgery date next week. I am very excited but know it is going to take a lot of determination and hard work on my part afterwards. Good luck.

Freelee, Let's stay in touch. I will be very interested in your reaction to the surgery, your recovery and impressions. I will let you know what I'm going through. Am hoping that I am healthy enough to recover as quickly and strongly as possible. I hope to get through the hard part as quick as possible.

Am reading a very good book that I got (as an e book in kindle) called Stranger Here by a Utah author named Jen Larsen. Great read and good writing and all about what we are going through. If you read it, I hope you like it.

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Absolutely, that sounds great. I would appreciate any advice you can give. I have my pulmonology appt on Friday and if all goes well can get my surgery date then. I am hoping for June 15 because I am a teacher and school is out then.Sounds like too much to deal with as the end of school approaches.

Thanks for the book suggestion. I am definitely going to get it and begin reading this week. Hope you are doing well.

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Look forward to discussion on the book. Warning it has a lot of honesty. She really covers a lot of territory.

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Hi Magic Mojo.........finished 11 ch of the book and I can relate to so many of her Emotions. She's just about to go to her first appt. really like it, thanks for the suggested reading.

Good luck on Wednesday, I'll be praying for you. Please post when you can.

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I turned 70 last August and had my bypass surgery 3/26. 1 1/2 week out and I'm feeling good, lost 20 pounds so far.

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Hi everyone! I made it through the worst. Now I am struggling to get in enough Water. So hard. Body is less achy, and surgery pain is definitely manageable. Dealing with exhaustion is tough. Glad to be alive and glad to be on the downhill side of that pass. Whoo hoo!

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Hi Magic Mojo, CONGRATULATIONS! How Are you feeling? I can't wait to get my June date. By the way, I finished StraNiger Here and loved it! Thanks so much for the recommendation. Very gritty stuff, but good to read. Her next bOok comes out in Oct.

keep us updated on your successes, I'm rooting for you!

Freelee

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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