Eating Right, Working Out

Hello all, this my first post to the mens forum, i just found you guys.  I am considering the VSG sleeve or bananna.  Not really considering just trying to figure out hot to pay for it, insurance or self pay.  Once that's figured out I'm doin it.

Just wondering, currently when I eat right and work out in order to see any results I usually walk like 4-5 miles and do the weigh****chers eating.  Do you guys have to work out so hard after the surgury.  Seems like I practically have to kill myself now to lose weight.

My hope is that since I will be eating so much less that I will lose a bunch of weight just by not being able to eat so much.  Also I hope that just regular exercise, walking a mile for instance, will help me lose weight.  Then when I'm down a bunch I can start a real workout, walking farther, sit-ups, so forth.

Whats been your experience?

Well Jack,...best of luck with getting the surgery.  I've been reading about your pursuit and insurance efforts. I had Open RNY with gall-bladder removal 11 months ago and am down 176 lbs to date and losing. To answer your post on weight-loss and surgery,..it is not a clear, black and white thing. The best answer I can give is; you will lose weight and after the initial exhaustion from surgery, as the rapid weight loss occurs, and you get your vitamns and iron and B12 and all at appropriate dosages, you will start to feel energized.  Walking is certainly part of the surgery recovery process and is an easy transisiton to expand on; walking farther and farther to jogging as you get lighter and the legs and joints can handle it, if that is something that gets you going as it does for me. Weight loss certainly is improved by exercise but it really depends on your current physical condition as to the immediate results you personally experience.  Exercise tones and tightens the muscles and helps too minimize (not eliminate) the loose skin.  Exercise also helps to maintain and/or build calories burning muscle tissue if you are consuming sufficient amounts of protein (for men 60+ gms minimum to 1 gm per pound of desired body weight maximum).  However, exercise can cause your muscle mass to become more dense and efficient (which adds weight) or build muslce mass you previously lost or lacked (which adds weight).  Exercise with also burn fat abd tighten flabby area(s) which may or may not result in weight loss but ususally always results in more desireable  body dimensions (smaller waist, tighter butt, better muscle definintion, etc., etc). My personal experience has been, I lose weight then go for a while with no measurable weight movement on the scales but lose inches in my waist, feet,.butt, etc.  I can see the veins in my feet, hands and arms.  I can see the rippling muscles in my arms and legs that use to be swollen and round as I do stuff.  My family now has trouble keeping up with me rather than me watching them and asking them to bring me stuff.  Huge lifestyle improvement.  Benefits of exercise. The serious benefit of exercise is the long term weight maintenance and improved health.  The more muscle you have the more calories you burn at rest in addition to what you burn during activity.  The more youexercise the more improved your heart (a muscle) functions and better your cirulation will be which impacts your lower extremities function and lack of pain.  Exercise can also improve your blood pressure and respiratory functions.  The improvements I have experienced are mind-blowing.  I knew all of this before but didn't realize how badly I had deteriorated.  I feel 30 years younger most of the time. I'll stop here and hope that helps and hasn't become too long to read. Sorry about any typos I didn't catch. Joe

Hey Jack, Welcome to the Men’s Board! You nailed it with- “…since I will be eating so much less that I will lose a bunch of weight just by not being able to eat so much.” That’s what did it for me. I had lost much weight, several times prior to surgery. I had to starve to do so. And then I always gained it all back plus a little extra. With my WLS, I dropped 200lbs in a year. 206 total.  And now maintain 2 to 4 pounds below of the 200lb loss. Been holding there for 3 years now. Regular exercise is very helpful in not only dropping the weight But feeling good and maintaining over-all fitness. I was a 0-exercise guy before dropping my weight. Exercise is SO Much easier as a 182 lb man than it was as a 385+lb man. I’m loving the reduced gravity. There are a few guys here with a VSG. Don’t know if it’s typically covered by insurance or not. An ex-athlete? Still just under 40 years old? You should drop the weight like a rock! BMI of 38? My starting BMI was 50.7 and at that I had very little extra skin. Drop out any specific questions, thoughts, ideas… There’s likely to be some guy here with a story to swap. Best Wishes- Dx

Hello and welcome to the Men's Forum. Here's my quick 2-cents re exercise: As you lose weight, you'll get more physical and psychic energy and actually want to exercise, either cardio, strength training or a combo. It's a great perq of weight loss. and you won't have to wait very long either. Good luck with the insurance.

Thanks for the replies,  I had my gall bladder out a few years ago for other reasons.  But looks like I'm going to be a self pay which I have no problem with.  My Dr quoted me $18K which just meand I'll get a loan and pay it off like I bought a new car.  So no worries.  My Dr is still trying to pu**** thru the insurance so I'm wondering if he knows something I don't.  We'll see what happens.  I'm really encouraged and exited by reading all of your posts and cant wait to get thru the surgury and start really losing. I WANT TO BE A LOSER!

Hey Jack YOu know how people say thry spiral down...you put on weight, and that makes it hard to exercise, so the lack of exercise, makes them put on more weight, wheich make it harder to exercise, and they put on more weight...you got the picture... this surgery CAN , note I say CAN...start the spiral the other way.. you lose a few pounds, then you are able to exercise more, which helps you lose a couple more pounds...etc etc... Now adays surgery is pretty much available, first find out what the criteria fro your insurance company is....(if they have an out right exclusion) then play their game...if they want 6 months on a diet...you have already started...dig up your records... good luck...and ask away Russ

Hi Jack and welcome to the forum.   I understand your frustrations with your insurance.  I was denied flat out because of an exclusion and no matter what appeals I did they denied them every time.  I ended up paying the $20K out of pocket.   The good thing is the two follow-up surgeries I had to have (gall bladder and twisted bowel / hernia) were covered.     Regarding the eating right and losing weight...  It doesn't matter what you do, you will lost weight the first six months after surgery.   Exercising will absolutely enhance your weight loss.   At 1 year I had lost around 240 pounds and now at 18 months out I have lost around 252 which is almost where I want to be.   I posted a   message on my blog yesterday about how eating right and vigerous exercise will always help with weight loss.   I don't really count the pounds anymore though.   I calculate my fat percentage, being able to move up another notch in my belt and going down another pants size, (currently went from a sz 62 to a sz 34)  MOST importantly in my case the exercise reduced the amount of lose skin that I have.   Yes, I do have lose skin but other than the little bit I have around my belly and the saggy old man ass that's it.    I guess I expected more with a weight loss of 252 pounds but I attribute the 'snapping' back to the exercise. Good luck on your journey.   I wish you the best.  

I saw your profile the other day and boy I gotta say you are totally an inspiration to me.  I am getting the surgury regarless but it would be nice if I didn't have to shell out the money for it so we'll see.  But I am excited to get this done and start losing the weight and starting my new life as a thin guy.  I will follow my Dr's eating plan to the letter and exercise.  Thanks for your msg.