Weight Loss Surgery After Age 50: The Geriatric Bariatric Life

This memoir of one woman's fifty-year struggle with super morbid obesity (BMI of 63) culminates in lasting improvement at age sixty-two after gastric bypass surgery. Funny and devastating, it chronicles her weight war through multiple weight loss attempts, diets, support groups, regaining pounds, co-morbidities, battles with health insurance companies, and an earlier stomach band surgery that was nearly fatal.

Now at age sixty-five and 113 pounds lighter (BMI of 40) the author is living a healthier happier life with much more energy. All co-morbidities are better or much better, The Hunger Monster is under control because all of the lifelong questions about her obesity have been answered. With this knowledge she was able to create an effective fifteen-point strategy for keeping the weight off permanently without suffering, and for keeping critically important motivation at a constant high level.

Since bariatric surgery is much less common in her age group, the author wants to share her experience with those who want to know more about the before, during, and after of various weight loss surgeries. Bariatric surgery can increase the length and quality of life. Since losing significant amounts of weight means a decreased need for sleep, you can gain hours in the day, too. Procedures like RYGB (gastric bypass) and sleeve gastrectomy can be for the geriatric population because there is no upper age limit for these procedures. If you are over fifty, it's not too late to consider consulting with a bariatric surgeon.

The long-term effects of obesity create misery in the Golden Years. Suffering in silence, procrastinating, or ignoring the pain won't help. Looking for potential solutions and encouragement is the wiser course.

The 67,000-word book includes before and after photographs plus weight and size conversion charts for international readers.