Over 60 and Waiting for Gastric Bypass

[gill161]

Hi my name is Gill I am 63 with BMI 52.
I have gone through MDT and now on waiting list in Bradford for bypass surgery. This should be done in next 12 weeks or so.
I was wondering how other over 60s have managed and how they are getting on with their journey.
I would love to hear from you. X

 

[sundowners]

Snap, I'm 63 too. Having taken 3 years to get this far, my surgery is finally booked for 16th April. Won't believe it til I am on the operating table. I am with Luton and Dunstable hospital after having gone the 6 month Tier 3 with Addenbrookes at Cambridge. Good luck on the rest of your journey.

 

[Crystalrainbow]

WOW wd ladies thought i was one of the upper end age wise at 48.... good for you girls its never to late to change your lives i had a band fitted a year ago, and i feel fitter and younger, healthier and tons happier wishing you both the very best on this new journey in life x x x x

 

[Kar8858]

Hello and welcome

 

[ladilindy]

Hi there, I am 59 and having a bypass on 31st March. I am having my surgery in Belgium as my hospital set higher criteria for NHS treatment.

Hope your wait isn't too long and look forward to hearing about your journey

Lynn x

 

[dragonsfairy]

Hi Gill I am 62, 63 in 2 months and almost 6 weeks post op. I am also at the L&D sundowners, who is your surgeon?, mine is Mr Barraca he is lovely and the care at the L&D is amazing, I was booked for a by-pass but surgeon had to change to a sleeve during op. I am doing really well, BMI already down from 42 to 34 would love to chat to anyone who has had sleeve or bypass, in my age group or same hosp. Good luck for April sundowners.

 

[sundowners]

Great to hear from others in my age group - I originally thought I was going to be too old to get help from NHS, but not so. It was not until my doctor suggested me having the op. that I accepted that this was the way I was going to be until it was my time to be on the other side. So maybe a new lease of life for us oldies - watch out here we come.

Good to hear that you were happy with Luton Dunstable - I too am with Mr Marco Barreca. He seemed very nice when I saw him on my last visit.

Dragonsfairy - did they say why you couldn't have the bypass - I really would not like the sleeve due to my reflux problems.

 

[westiedog]

Welcome everyone. I'm a 48 year old x

 

[gill161]

Thank you to everyone for your great replies.
I was not sure I would be accepted when I was referred last September. However I was told they do this surgery up to the age of 65.
So looking forward to getting my pre op done then getting date for surgery. X

 

[Butterfly_lady]

I was over 50 when I had my bypass in Nov 2013 I am now half the woman I once was and sooooooooooooo glad I had the op Life begins at 40?? Nah life begins after a WL op

 

[Crystalrainbow]

i second that butterfly

 

[Leda]

Hi! I had my bypass 3 months ago and I'm almost 56 now. My gp offered it to me and I was unsure if Iwas too old! II'm Wakefield area, I'm at the higher age end but there are a few ladies older than me. I have 9 grandkids and did it for them as much as me as I was missing out on so much with them. Babysitting was really hard. I've now lost over 6 and half stone and although I still have about 5 stone to go hopefully, I can't believe how much energy I've got, wish I'd had opportunity to do it years ago, I'm really happy. Good luck older ladies
Xxx

 

[Big Dave D]

Hi Gill, welcome!

You've answered a question I had - upper age limits for surgery. I figured that as long as you met the NICE criteria, you'd be accepted. Otherwise, maybe age discrimination would come in to play? Of course, there's got to be an age where it's not medically safe to perform, for example, an RNY bypass, i'd have thought maybe 70's-80's? I dunno.....

Anyway, wishing you all the very best, you're in a good place here. Look forward to your new lease of life. From my experience, it's awesome.

Dave...x

 

[dragonsfairy]

Hi sundowners, Mr Barraca will probably consent you for bypass and sleeve he did me, he says it saves waking you up halfway through, you will find he is a lovely funny man. I alreadyn had an hiatus hernia which he was going to repair at same time but unfortunatly he discovered a prob. with my liver so he switched to a sleeve, he did say if nessisarry it can still be converted to a bypass if needed but a bypass was final. I have had a text book recovery so far and have done a lot of reading around a sleeve gastrectomy I am very pleased I had it. I would be happy to swap e mails with you if you like.
On the question of age I thought I was to old once past 60 but my son told me they are no longer allowed to turn people away for surgery on age alone.

 

[60'sBabe]

Snap, I'm 63 too. Having taken 3 years to get this far, my surgery is finally booked for 16th April. Won't believe it til I am on the operating table. I am with Luton and Dunstable hospital after having gone the 6 month Tier 3 with Addenbrookes at Cambridge. Good luck on the rest of your journey.

Hello everyone and everyone who is going to luton and dunstable. I have been to Addenbrookes for their 3 too not sure if I might have seen you or not my their 3 finished in September I really liked going to dr park he helped me loads to loose my weight. Sundowners I think you might live not to far from me I'm in norfolk near long stratton, congratulations on your bypass mine is booked for the 2nd of June, been quietly watching your progress well done hope you still progressing well. I'm 55 and I'm petrified but I know it's the only way to get the rest of my weight of. Do you mind telling me what sort of diet you had from hospital till now.
I have my pre op assessment tomorrow I can't wait.