Thursday, June 4, 2009

QOTD: am I too young/too old for weight loss surgery?

Surgeons’ and insurance companies’ age policies vary. While most won’t accept a patient under age 18, there are some surgeons who specialize in younger patients (frankly, I wasn’t mature enough at age 17 to deal with something like weight loss surgery, though it would have been nice to grow up without an obesity problem). Some won’t accept a patient over age 60, but I’ve encountered any number of older people (into their 70’s) who’ve done very well after weight loss surgery.

4 comments:

dcc121 said...

Hi Jean,
I am only 2 weeks post-op. After having some problems the first week, I asked my dr's assistant if they usually dealt with patients as old as I am, and they do not.
I am 66. I really believe that some of my problems have been related to age and to a life time of bad eating. Right now I have been nauseous off and on for the last 4 days......not sure why. I'm not eating much and not drinking enough just because when you're nauseous you just don't want to put
anything in there. I haven't been hungry and haven't wanted anything
and nothing tastes good except a popsicle. Any advice??
Dianne

Jean said...

Your general health as well as your age can influence your response to something as major as weight loss surgery. Nausea is a common reaction to general anesthesia but at 2 weeks post-op that shouldn't be a factor. You probably still have some swelling and irritation from the surgery which is suppressing your appetite. My guess is that you're not drinking enough liquid and have become dehydrated, which can be serious, so give your surgeon's office a call. They don't have to be specialists in caring for older people to know how to deal with this. At the very least they can prescribe some anti-nausea meds. Hope you feel better soon.

dcc121 said...

Hi Jean,
Thanks for your opinion. Sounds like everyone loves getting your suggestions. I'm sure with almost
2 yr. post-op, you've learned a lot.
I didn't see until after I sent the
first post that you are from Union City. I live in Memphis. My mom had a cousin that lived in Union City.....Hazel Forrester. I think later in her life she went to live with her son, Bobby and his wife, Joy, in Troy. We have a little house up at Big Sandy on KY Lake.
We have my mom's family reunion there on 7/4, and Bobby and Joy always come to that.
Small world, huh?
Dianne

Jean said...

Dianne,

Wow! We live about one mile from the Troy line. I'm not familiar with the Forrester name, but we've only lived here for 10 years - are originally from New England.

Jean