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Hi! This is my first post here. I am 65 and 275 pounds. I have finally made the decision to change my lifestyle after being morbidly obese for 10 years. I have chronic pain from spondylitis and nerve damage. I know the weight is a big part of the pain I am living with. I have gained 20 pounds since the pandemic started because I am alone at home, generally on the couch. I look forward to being able to walk without a limp when I get lighter.

I am a little nervous about doing this but I want to live a longer and fuller life.

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I was 62 when I had bypass, and it was the best decision I ever made. I have my life back!!!!!! With no pain now in the hips, knees and back. All my co-morbidities have resolved. I can hike, bike, ride my horse, and get down (and up) on the floor with my grandkids. I've done a triathlon and a 50 mile bike race. Woo hoo! Who would have thought it even possible? My next goals are a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike and ultimately to finish the 830 mile Arizona Trail.

I think being older gives a deeper perspective that this is the last chance. We've tried everything else for literally decades, and there are no more options. And there are no more games. It is this or nothing. We are all in or all out. We don't worry as much about Hair loss or saggy skin or looking great in a bikini - it is about health and quality of life. We are also past menopause, and so don't have to worry as much about hormone fluctuations or about slowing metabolism - it's already slowed for us and things can only get better, right?

I am seizing every day with joy and gratitude that I am now able to live again, because what I was doing before was just slowly dying. Best wishes to you! You have every chance to be successful at this, regardless of age.

Edited by AZhiker

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I'm in my late 40s, but just wanted to welcome you [emoji4]

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I was 62 when I had gastric bypass. I followed my plan as prescribed to me. I tried not to compare myself to others that seemed to be losing faster than I was. I wasn't able to do much exercise because I had so much pain from an arthritic hip that has since been replaced. I was on 2 BP meds and prediabetic. Except for the pain I had when I woke up in the recovery room I can honestly say I never had any pain from this surgery. I did have nerve blocks on both sides though and walked early and a lot!. This was truly one of my best decisions! My walks are now 5 miles, pain free. My BP is normal and the only meds I take are my Vitamins, Calcium and extra Iron. I made a complete lifestyle change, including moving to a more "walkable" community and breaking my addiction to sugar, diet coke and unhealthy foods.

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lots of us have it in our 50s and 60s - and we even see people on here occasionally who've had it in their 70s - so you're in good company! (I had it at 55)

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I am currently 56 and I am having surgery on October 19, 2020.

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52. Having it done next month

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66 in Nov sched for 11/02 - scared due to covid

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I'm 67, also scheduled for 11/2. Also scared about Covid, but I'm planning to talk to my doc at my pre-op about it. I have to have a covid culture 3 days before surgery. I plan on bringing a mask and wearing it when anyone is in the room, and will also bring hand sanitizer since I won't be jumping in and out of bed to wash my hands.

Sent from my SM-T710 using BariatricPal mobile app

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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