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Initial Age at Weight Loss Surgery Concerns



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Hi, I was wondering if anyone had the gastric sleeve or gastric bypass after the age of 50 up to age 60? Were you concerned about your body healing properly after surgery because of the age considerations? Have anyone had any issues because of age? Slow healing? Any others? I am 54 and I am little scared about the healing process since I may be older than most people on the forum. Wish I had done this sooner when I was younger.

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Hi, Thanks for replying memabock. I was concerned because my mom told me that once you get past the age of 50, it is harder to heal. What are you doing for the gas because I always have issues with gas in my stomach, back and shoulder area after surgery. It usually takes a few months out of surgery to get relief totally from gas.

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I found bio freeze gel to help with spasms, just on my back... I walk some, keep hydrated and have taken zofran to keep from getting sick to my tummy. I take shots for clots too


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I had my RNY on July 2, 2013. I was 57Years old. I am now almost 61 ydears old. My PS was amazed at how fast my body healed after my Panni which was done last Sept. I am telling you IT IS SO WORTH IT. For the gas pains (I still have gas issues most of the time it is because I ate to much or the food just doesn't digest ) I have taken PAPAYA ENZYMES they have saved me so many times. They are chewable so I chew up 4 of them and lie on my left side. It works better for me than GAS X. With them you need to drink to get em down. When I have that gas going on I can't drink or eat anything. You can buy them at Walmart for less than $5.00. Plus they are 100% natural. LOVE THEM

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At age 54 I would not worry about there being an issue with healing. Many people have WLS in their 60s and do just fine.

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Hi, I was wondering if anyone had the gastric sleeve or gastric bypass after the age of 50 up to age 60? Were you concerned about your body healing properly after surgery because of the age considerations? Have anyone had any issues because of age? Slow healing? Any others? I am 54 and I am little scared about the healing process since I may be older than most people on the forum. Wish I had done this sooner when I was younger.

I just turned 53 and had the sleeve 9 days ago. I feel great! The first couple days were tough but since then each day has gotten better. I can sleep on my sides now (on my back for a couple days, then left side and finally right too). I am definitely tired and weak but have no pain and haven't since day three. Just sore. I thought the same thing but honestly it wasn't bad at all. I hope the same for you.

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My mom had vsg at 67. She's lost 95 lbs and feels better than ever at 70! Can't find her incisions. Doesnt remember any issues with healing. She is my inspiration. I'm having mine Wednesday at 47. I'm taking b,c,d, fish oil and my multi Vitamin just to fortify.

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I'm 55 had the sleeve 4/4/17, the 1st week was hard, pain, nausea, and vomiting but each week got better, went back to work after 3 weeks, was tired and struggled to get my daily Protein and Fluid in, but each day got easier. June 2016 292 lbs today 222 lbs, no longer diabetic, blood pressure Medicine was cut in half and now half again, I feel great, have stuck to my food intake,

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I am 68 years old and had RNY gastric bypass surgery 4 years ago. My age did not seem to impede my healing. Some people say they are more energetic after surgery. I wouldn't say I was more energetic but rather my stamina improved dramatically. Stamina is the ability to perform physical labor. I felt like my stamina was similar to when I was 30 year old. On one of my projects around the house, on the 2nd year post op, I moved 100,000 pounds of gravel by hand along with around 60,000 pounds of concrete blocks and the next year I moved about the same amount of material.

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I was 65 when I had the surgery in March and am 66 now... no complications. I am doing just fine. I had no health comorbidities just a high BMI and I am happy to say, the BMI is going down steadily!

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Hi, I was wondering if anyone had the gastric sleeve or gastric bypass after the age of 50 up to age 60? Were you concerned about your body healing properly after surgery because of the age considerations? Have anyone had any issues because of age? Slow healing? Any others? I am 54 and I am little scared about the healing process since I may be older than most people on the forum. Wish I had done this sooner when I was younger.


I'm 51 and was sleeved in May. No complications and I feel great.


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Thanks for all of the feedback. I am so blessed to have found this forum and the people on it. I am also on blood thinners so I have that concern also. I will have to take Lovenox days before, during and days after and then bridge back to my blood thinners to keep from having another clot. Another major concern. I guess I just getting antsy because I have been going on and off trying to get to the surgery for a year and a half now. So many requirements to meet with the insurance company and now I am waiting for a surgery dates. Thanks to all who responded. I pray for your continued healing and success.

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I had the surgery just 2 months after my 53rd birthday.

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I think the the speed of healing is dependent on many factors. I had surgery shortly before I turned 50. Generally, I have a positive frame of mind, I was in good health considering my weight and I am not someone particularly prone to anxiety/depression. Mind, body and spirit are key to healing as well as success in much of what we are doing here. Concentrate on that and healing will be a non-issue even if there are issues. Most issues early on resolve themselves as you heal. Worry and stress would probably prolong the healing process.

Just my two cents. Take it how you will:-)

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    • Doughgurl

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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!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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.

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