I am sitting in the hospital reflecting on life ( you know how it goes when you are ready to take on a life altering change) wondering.....Looking forward to this new path and wondering how I got here at the same time why did it take so long to get here

On a side note ..Are there any specific changes or experiences we face as being ( older/ scratch that) more mature / experienced ?

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I don't know of any specific issues because I am older. I would like think that being older/wiser/more experienced in life has helped me in my recovery and progress.

@@jersey0601

40's I'm having the best time in my life. After surgery I feel younger. My energy is amazing. Getting used to seeing my face after goal was interesting. No more fat to fill the age lines. My age shows. But I own my old fart self.

I'm excited for all the things that will change in your life. Make every day count.

ISG- There is no replacement for wisdom ; @jenn1- thanks - we earn every line - it can be nice to see them and Celebrate them !

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well, I can only speak for me, and imagine what it would have been to make such a great change younger -

but at this age, I don't care what anyone else thinks. if they were close to me I took the time and respect to listen to their opinions and then did what I knew what was best for me. that includes my dear husband.

also, being over 40 I have a better understanding of what is best for me.

and I think I also didn't care if I end up having to give up wine, or anything else. I understand more than ever as I get older that life is not forever and it has to be grabbed and lived. I want to see my grandchildren and I don't want to be robbed of experiencing life with them long enough for them to remember me when I am gone. I think when I was younger I thought - oh, I have time to try this or that to change my weight - and now I have realized that the time is now, and I needed to make it happen.

people have always thought I was a lot younger than I am, and in someways that as annoying as my experience was dismissed at times - it will be interesting to see how that perception might change as I get closer to goal weight, I am sure I will also be looking more my age. I just don't think that will bother *me* much as I don't spend much time looking at myself.

I think I am also more likely to set aside the money and time I need to take care of myself. whether that means doing less for someone else so I can make sure to get in my exercise or carving out money for the gym - spending appropriate money on good healthy food. I am more willing to do that now than I would have been when I was younger.

Ahhh. What a day to read this post!!! Today I turned 49. And you know what??? I'm ecstatic!! And what's more- I'm looking FORWARD to 50!!!

The forties- while of course there were wonderful moments mostly related to my kids- simply sucked. Two months after turning 40- and being ok with it- I was diagnosed with a life altering chronic illness that disrupted not only my life, but the lives of all those around me, robbed me of my career, and led me down the path of morbid obesity.

As I sit here today, I'm in remission, had a life-changing surgery to REMOVE my obesity, am more active 10 weeks post op than I was in the last 9 years, and embracing EVERY DAMN SINGLE MINUTE of it!!!!

I see my face!!! ( Lol, and the now-visible lines!!!) Yesterday at my youngest middle school graduation people were coming to me in droves complimenting me on how wonderful I looked. Who would not love THAT!

I look forward to the second half of my life, and am blessed beyond belief with wonderful kids and family, and the tool that this bypass procedure has provided me.

God bless all.

I am happy and proud to be 42! I've earned my stripes, my wrinkles, my lines and my new found health! I've never felt better than I do now - I can do so much more, I have more energy and I am truly happier now that I'm not over-burdened with the poor physical and emotional health being obese caused. I have been told that I look like I'm in my 20's again. And when I look at current photos of myself (because, I take them now!) I can see that spark of my true inner self shining through. WLS was the BEST decision I made for myself (aside from marrying my husband and having my children, of course!) and I'm so proud of myself for making the decision to focus on my health and happiness. I will never look back.

I hope and pray you also have the same exciting experiences on your journey.

I can't wait to see how far I've come when I turn 40 in 6 months... everyone has always thought I looked a lot younger then I am (I think a lot of it has to do with my uh child-like attitude lol), soooo when I toast in my 40th birthday - I hope that I'll finally be able to say I made it and that I'll outlive the 'curse' of my family dying young... If I leave this world because I'm supposed to, I can deal with that - but leaving it because of something I could have prevented. Not an option - I have ruggies that need me!

I'm 43, and will be 44 before I have the surgery. I looked in to the possibility of the surgery 10 years ago and then dismissed it. I do wish I'd gone ahead then, but I'm happy that it's happening now. I can't wait to feel the additional energy everyone talks about!

@@LisaMergs

Happy Birthday! I turn 49 on Saturday

Had WLS in late 40s, now early 50s. I think I am more...conscious..of enjoying the good life NOW then I would have been when younger.

@@Babbs seriously? You are turning 49? You look fabulous! I was thinking you look a bit like Anna Faris!

So for those of you that have had the surgery in your 40s - what's the scoop on the extra skin? Is it really bad? I hope to lose 140-150 lbs. I'm 291 now.

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I feel younger alot more energy ready and want to do more in life

juan phone

I was at 275 now I'm 198 and I have some not much now that I'm lifting hope to tighten up by putting muscle on

juan phone

The last year, going from 52-53 may have been the best year of my life. My first 5K in decades, first mountain climb, more sex than I have ever had in my entire life...I don't think this was all because of superficial external changes, this was because of deep mental and spiritual change resulting from finally getting control of an area which had become a problem. As I am want to say, this is a tool, not a magic wand. But in the past the only tool I had was a hammer, and all my problems looked like nails. With this tool, I am seeing many more possibilities. I wish I had known about this earlier and possibly would not be having the loose skin issues, but if that's my biggest problem, pfft, who cares.