Post-Op Pow wow report...

Yesterday, I had lunch with some old WLS friends. A couple are over 4+ years post-op, I'm 3+ years post-op and others were in their first and second years. ..... We are an amazing bunch! We caught up on our lives; since one has moved to the East coast and the rest of us rarely see each other. Together, we represented someone who was out of her wheel chair and is walking all over the place, someone who is off several medications, someone who can bench press more than the men she works out with, someone who has been on a national comercial for WLS, someone who is training for races, etc. ......So, if you're a newbie with dreams.....just know that it takes work and that the compliant post-op can achieve amazing things! What do you want to do with yourself when you get into your healthy weight zone? Are you taking the steps to be the person you want to be? ......It definitely takes more than the teeny tiny meals and the magical melting of the first 6 months post-op. Have you reached amazing milestones already? How about sharing! Do you have some long range goals? Want to share them? Tips to share to help us all reach goals? Pre-Op questions? Come on out! Embrace the WLS Experience! Hugggz, Joyce [email protected] (East Valley support) [email protected] (AZ state support)

Hi Joyce. I have a question, Living in a very remote small town with NO exercise groups or health clubs, what would you say is the best exercise? I know I should have the answer to this question but I think we are inundated with tooooooo much info. The TV says one thing, Magazines say another, and so on and so on. I hope to have surgery in about 4 weeks if all goes as planned. I would like advice on pre and post op exercise. Thank you for your posts and inspiration and motivation! I want to be ready and successful! Sincerely Sally

Walking, walking, walking. It is really a great way to start. And something you can do forever. It is free and anyone can do it with you. I have also found that a pair of hand weights and an exercise ball can help me do alot of my resistance exercise at home. I do belong to a gym but when I don't get there, a nice walk always does the trick. As for the support group, if you know the people who have had the surgery, give them a call and see if they want to get together. If you don't know them, ask your surgeon if you can post a flyer in his office stating that a group is being formed. Melissa

another question? How would I go about starting a support group in our town. I know several people who have had the surgery and My phys says there are more on the way. We live in Page Az and I would love to get a support group started. Thank you. Sally

Hi Sally! I'm not a pro but I have been actively working out as a pre-op and post-op. So, I'll just tell you my experience. Pre-Op: Walk a little each day. I don't know your current health issues so of course you'd want to check with your doc BUT, any movement you can get consistently BEFORE your surgery will help with a safer surgery! Early Post-Op...Walk and journal everything. My first newbie walks were like just inside the house and around in circles (I had open so my healing and pain was a little more complicated). I joined a nearby gym at 6 weeks post-op but had been walking the "hood" right out of the hospital. I had a trainer and quickly outgrew the routine that he had set up for me. (1 mile on the treadmill followed by some very easy resistance machines and some floor exercises). My next trainer wouldn't let me whine and whipped my tail! ....I LOVED her! LOL! She had me doing 45 minutes of cardio (rotated between the treadmill, eliptical and bike) and another 45 minutes of resistance and weights. I actually hit my goal range within 6 months post-op using her workout. And, I had some "cut" legs and arms. My legs and arms will not need plastic surgery and I know it's cuz of the resistance and weight lifting. 1 year post-op I joined another gym (LA fitness) cuz I felt it had more to offer. It's got a more competitive feel to it that keeps me challenged. ....I'm currently getting back up to speed with my working out since I had to cut it back for a few months. If you only have 30 minutes to exercise each day then spend it walking, running, jogging with a few bands or weights when you can. My PT's have always recommended a balance between cadio and resistance. Because we have been big folks, we need to develop some muscles and strength. The increase of muscles actually increases the number of calories we burn while sitting on our bumskies watchig t.v. (MBR). One trainer I had said that you can pick out a biker, a runner, a swimmer, or a Step aerobics athlete in a line-up based on their build and their muscles structure. The swimmer is about perfect! So, consider something in the water if knees, feet or back issues are a problem. I could go on and on and on......Just keep in touch with me and I'd be happy to send you the tons of exercise links I have been studying and saving! Support Groups? 1. Find a location that can be consistent and Free. 2. Find at least 3 other committed friends that will help be the foundation. Decide on a start date (usually a month will give people enough notice to calendar it and plan it). 4. Set up a FREE yahoo group support site where the group can chat amongst themselves and where specific information can be posted. 5. Advertise: Flyers to pcp offices, your surgeon's office, run an ongoing add in the paper (most will do it for free under the community piece). Post on here. Local Radio? 4 people can have a meantingful discussion. More than that can be a great support group. Once you are set up then be committed to "babysit" the group for a very long time with logistic details, facilitator duties (whether you assign it out or do it yourself each time), guest speakers, erc. Our group traditonally goes out to eat afterwards. Some would say that is anti productive but we find it to be very educational as folks can learn from others on how to order and what to eat in different stages, etc. I know there are quite a few people in your neck of the woods who have had surgery. Getting the grads out is the most difficult of all. They have redefined themselves and have often moved on with their lives. Some have had some regain and are embarrassed. They need the groups the most!!!! But, no one can tell them that.....they just need to know that your support group is a non judgemental, inspiring place to hang! Good luck with it all Sally! Joyce

Sounds like a great afternoon Joyce. I am still 15#'s away from a normal BMI but I am not sure I can get there without PS. So for now I am focusing on the next 10# I want off before we take a cruise in August. Then I will start looking into plastics again. I am re-focusing on my eating and started back at the gym regularly. Melissa

Melissa, You looked great when I saw you last! ....A cruise would definitely be motivating! Sounds like too much fun! Good luck on those TEN! I'll be sending off fireworks from Chandler when I get rid of FIFTEEN!!!!! ......We CAN do it! ....like you said...it's about focus and right choices! Hugggz, Joyce

Hi, Joyce, I finally decided to actually write down some of the goals that I have. I am looking forward to the day that I can: go shopping with my daughter and not get winded and have to stop and rest every two seconds; travel and see the sights and go on hikes to explore the beauties of this earth; have the energy to actually clean my house and get it in order (I've been putting off having a garage sale for months because of lack of energy); and exercise and actually be in shape for once in my life! I'm looking forward to the day when these things will happen. Still a ways from surgery but have an one-on-one appointment with Dr. Newhoff to discuss specifics. And then have to take care of that psych eval. Virginia

Way to go Virginia! So, you can clean that house to have a yard sale...use the money to go shopping with your daughter for new teeny tiny workout clothes and then go on an amazing hike with energy leftover to post all the details for all of us!!! High Fives girlfriend! It will happen! Joyce