Too old to sleeve?

[cbreeze]

Hi. I'm new. I'm old(er) at age 62. I'm scheduled for a sleeve in May, but I'm so worried about this decision. So concerned something can go wrong. Am I nuts? Hoping to find some reassurance here.

[bamabelle73]

You are not nuts... In my support group, I have several people over the age of 60 that have been sleeved or have done gastric bypass. It is your helath and it adds to the quality of your life.

Best of luck to you and sending love and light your way.

T

[HGfromOmaha]

I had my surgery 1 month ago today and in our group, there was a lady that was the oldest patient that the hospital had ever performed surgery on. If I remember correctly, she was 72 years old. She didn't look 72 and she was worried about her blood pressure, etc and felt the sleeve would help her. She had no problems with the surgery and flew out the same day I did.

[mkrider]

ok..I'm 62, and i've never looked back! just think..feeling so much healthier, keeping up with the g-kids and not to mention, looking good for your age!

[bird48]

66 here! Now the grandkids are my fashion police. "Yes Grammie wear those boots not the clunky ones" My husband who has only 50lbs. to loose and is an insulin dependent diabetic is going to have a sleeve also in June. He's 70, and wants the diabetes gone! Oh crap did we save enough retirement $$ to live so much longer. LOL

[BladeFox]

Your doctor will be able to tell you of your risk associated with being sleeved at 60, but I believe we have people on here that have been sleeved in your age range and older. Search the site to find out who. Good Luck!

[natex14]

From what my insurance said, under 70 is preferred, but there are people on here that have had the sleeve after 70. That was also mentioned above.

We are never too old or young to make a decision that will impact the quality of the rest of our lives. I agree with an above poster, talk through the concerns with your surgeon. Good luck.

[jerzeygirl]

I was 61 when I had the surgery, and have never felt better! I was insuling diabetic for 10 years, high blood pressure, and severe sleep apnea. I am off all meds, and my bloodwork is perfect. I'm figuring I added a few good years to my life-span. I exercise regularly, have tons of energy, and the only regret is that I didn't have it sooner, but am so happy I had it at all!!! Good luck, and you'll do fine

[denise.jordan39]

I'm 59 and was determined not to be 100 pounds over weight when I hit sixty in October. I'm almost 6 weeks post-op, down over 50 pounds. I've had some issues, but it wasn't related to age - just luck. I will say I am already in far less pain and take way less medication than before. I'm looking forward to the next 30+ ,years now.

[jmob]

I was 62 last summer when I had the sleeve. Best decision I ever made. I'm off all of my bp and chol. meds and now take only half for irregular heartbeat. Feel 200% better with lots more energy!! Joan

[Lee6Lee]

I'm 63 and I'm getting sleeved Tuesday. I don't feel too old to get it done. It will help me live longer. Diabetes runs in my family and I don't have it yet. But I do have sort of high BP and cholesterol. I look young for my age, but losing weight might make or break that.

[christine53]

If you don't get the weight off something for sure is going to happen. So get the sleeve, lose the weight and enjoy the rest of what life you have. I'm 55 and I feel I just started life.

[SharonS]

Heavens no - you are not too old! I am 59 and one month out of surgery with no problems or complications. Took a long hard look at my future and decided I did not want to spend it in a wheelchair or hooked up to an oxygen tank. Feel wonderful, have loads of energy, and starting work on the bucket list. It's never, ever too late to start enjoying life again. May your journey be everything you could wish for!

[Kodi's Mom]

I am 57 and was sleeved 15 days ago. I had no problems, complications etc. I even joked with my surgeon, asking him if he really did the surgery and didn't just make the incisions! I was released a day early.
Since being home, the only problem I had was the stairs. This lasted about 7 days, until the stitching at the incision where the stomach was removed disintegrated. Moving is already easier--knees, ankles and hips don't creak as much--and I am walking a little faster.
At my pre-surgery seminar, Melissa told us that there was a woman who had the surgery. She was 69 when she had the surgery. At 1 years time, she had lost over 100 pounds. She went into the surgery using a walker and now gets around without even a cane.
I would say go for it and don't look back.

[Kathysangels]

Hi cbreeze
I am also older 61 (62 in June) and I was sleeved Feb 11, 2014. I definitely don't feel this old - and don't usually act that old - unless I am veggin out watchin tv because I am not feeling well - which I did before my sleeve much more than now.

The fact we are older helps in some ways - we aren't afraid to try new things. We have also pretty much raised our families and have time to focus on ourselves - which we need to do - for once in our lives we need to selfishly use our time to become healthier and actively become a part of life again.

No, you are not nuts - you don't want to wait even longer to get healthy. Most of us older sleevers say we just wish we had the courage to do this years ago. Can something go wrong? Yes, at any age, not necessarily because we are in our early 60's. You are just about as safe as anyone else. The one difference is how much excess weight we have to lose.

There are a lot of older people online - in fact I read about an 80- year old somewhere on this site. It can be done. Don't spook yourself out with all the fears. Can't believe that mine was 8 weeks ago. I have lost about 62# (but am in a stall right now - every one gets them). Hopefully you will be joining us soon.

Hugs,
Kathy