Hey Everyone ...

Hey -

I am 2 days Lap RNY Post Op. I am a little down and a little confused. What is your routine ? I am a 52 inch waist hoping for a 34. I am 310 hoping for 170. What exercises do you do ? You guys look like you have lost a lot fast and are in great shape. Any help would be great. I have noticed as men we are in the minority out here.

If you want I could call you too. Well, please let me know your thoughts as I have none and sit here and have the protein EAS staring at me to drink it.

Merry Christmas and hope to hear from someone soon!


Best,
Matthew Marshall
301-787-2910

hey matt,

i wanted to respond because we're very close in numbers and thought you might like to hear what i accomplished. i started a little less than you at 287#. same waist size and same goal from the doc. i ended up with a 32" waist and got as low as 145#. i stay at about 155 plus or minus 5 pounds. i lift so my weight changes a lot. it's getting a little harder to keep the 32" waist so i've got to get on that. your goal is totally obatainable by the way. those are perfect numbers so long as you're under six feet. i'm five eight so those numbers are great for a small guy like me. i did lose a lot in the beginning and i lost it fast because i had problems so i didn't take the normal route. i won't go into it but my weight has stabalized and now i have to watch it just like before. dang. it's easier to do though so that's a huge a plus for us.

give yourself a lot of time to recover. don't push the exercising but start walking asap. keep up the water and protein too. that's about it. oh, don't freak out about not losing for a while. i never lost steady. just 5 pounds every four weeks all at once and it never came back. we all lose differently so don't compare yourself to everyone else. take care.....carbonblob

Matthew, first off congrats on doing so well two days out.  That is fantastic and welcome to the loser's bench.  Echoing the thoughts of my friend CB, for right now your only goal is to do a little walking, then work your way up on the walking and if you like to swim, work some of that in.  Even if you don't like to swim, a good way to start on the weights is to begin in the pool doing isometrics with the water as resistance.  Do this for a couple of weeks before you start lifting weights.  It will help get your muscles primed and help you avoid the immense soreness you usually get by overdoing it.  While before surgery overdoing it just makes you sore, with the RNY if you start too soon and overdo it you can cause yourself a lot of problems.  So take the slow and sure route for the first 2 months or so and then can really step it up. Congrats once again! Greg

MM, Good to hear you are home and "on the Mend." Hang in there.  These first weeks generally SUK for everyone.

Being "a little down" is also super common. That anesthisia is a Chemical Brain Bath And can kill your attention span and ability to focus For the first few weeks. Beyond that, many have a case of Post-Surgical Depression, even from non-Weight-related Surgeries. If you notice you keep feeling a little down, Call the doc and ask for a presciption for a little something To get you over the hump. Don't just feel like you have to "tough it out." Some Pain is Inevitable, Suffering is Optional. A case of the "Blues" can grow up to be a big tough problem. Nip it in the bud when ever possible. For the exercise? Start slow, and grow from there. Check out some ideas from- Early-Exercise-Activity And yep, you've got it.  Men typically lose to goal-weights sooner and tend to embrace exercise as our bodies start feeling young again. Have a Great Christmas, and throw out any thoughts, or questions, and someone here most likely will have some experience to share. Best Wishes- Dx  

Hey Matt, greetings from sunny South Florida.  What part of Maryland are you in?  I was born and raised in the DC suburbs, College Park if you know the area.  I moved to Florida almost 4 years ago and would never leave.  I love DC, but just to visit now since all my family is there.  In fact, I'll be up there 3 weeks from now for a surprise 60th birthday party for my mom. Your 2 days out, first thought should just be recouping from the surgery.  Your body is going through a lot right now, its a big deal and its going to take time to get adjusted, both phsically and emotiohally.  Best advice is to do everything your surgeon tells you to the letter.  Only the most sucessful of us have achieved by doing that.  The biggest rule in eating is protein first, once you are able to eat, and drink all the water you can.  And excercise.  No one expects for you to be a marathon runner.  Baby steps and then move up to the big stuff.  There are alot of guys on here and alot of posts for you to get advice and tips from.  Feel free to ask. I has RNY in April 06 and lost 250 pounds in the first year.  I went from a size 58 waist to a 32 or 34, depending on the type of pants.  I work out 4 to 5 times a week.  My meals consist mainly of protein, i.e. beef, seafood, chicken, cheese, milk, eggs, a little salad here and there, one if not two protein shakes a day, lots of water.  No sugar, breads, pasta, rice.  As few carbs as possible.  I'll be 43 years old in 3 weeks and feel like I'm 16 again.  In fact, I weigh less now than I did than.  Anyway, good luck and keep your chin up.  It'll all be worth it in the end.  Feel free to PM me if you wish, always willing to help.  Be well. John

walk...walk and more walk....get used to the daily trip around the neighbourhood....try varying the route....try to 'brisk' up the pace....just walk walk walk....

sure, theres' lots here that would offer varying levels of advice....but for me the walking worked wonders!

and if you have a dog, he'll love you even more!

Jim