What happens when people who have had gastric bands and the like reach old age?
By Fleur
@Fleura (35173)
United Kingdom
October 5, 2015 10:14am CST
Recently there has been a spate of people, including some quite high profile names, undergoing weight-loss surgery, like fitting gastric bands and the more extreme gastric bypass. The idea is to limit the amount of food they can eat at one sitting, and in the case of gastric bypass to reduce absorption as well. While a band could be removed at a later date, a gastric bypass is permanent. In many cases this is for the benefit of their health. Radio presenter Jenni Murray, for example, has had a gastric bypass to treat her obesity which is likely to have also contributed to her other health problems, breast cancer and the need for a hip replacement. Many people are likely to live longer if they can control their weight.
What I am wondering, though, is what happens if these people do maintain a healthy weight and live to a ripe old age. Many old people struggle to maintain a healthy weight. In old age the senses of smell and taste tend to fade, making eating less tempting, even off-putting, and many people lose their appetite. Problems with their teeth may mean they can no longer manage such a range of foods as previously, and some people may have trouble swallowing. Loss of a spouse may remove the enjoyment of meals together and the incentive of the other person suggesting food. Problems with mobility may make shopping difficult. All this means that people in their 80s and 90s can find it difficult to keep weight on, and they often have to add extra calories to their meals to save themselves from wasting away. So in a few decades, if the once-obese people who have had gastric bands are still alive, will they need treatment again to put weight on?
5 people like this
5 responses
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
22 Dec 15
So many of these short term solutions prove to be long term headaches.
2 people like this
@suzzy3 (8341)
•
12 Mar 16
@Fleura I have a bit of middle aged spread which I am working on. I am just lucky so far , I can understand why some people have this done. It must be really tiring carrying all that weight. It is the future they have to think about. With the surgery at least they stand a chance of having a future. .
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
5 Oct 15
I'm overweight but I'm not going to try anything as untested or drastic as gastric bands.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
5 Oct 15
What a good question, I have no idea what the answer is. A friend of mine had the band and lost a lot of weight and I think had it removed. She gained her old weight back. You are right about age, I don't have to worry about my weight anymore because of the Y and exercise and I do eat less the older i get.
2 people like this







