Weightloss surgery and exercise...
A few things have been on my mind for awhile. I want to share some thoughts about WLS and exercise. If you've had VSG, RNY, or the DS these would apply to you. After surgery the weight come off fast, whether you like it or not...It just does. You hardly have to work at it because of restriction and malabsorption issues. This does not mean you don't need to find a regular exercise program...YOU DO!! Between 6-18 months post op the "honeymoon period" is over. It becomes real work to maintain and keep the weight off. Old habits pop back up...You get busy with life and possibly start to graze eat. By taking up some kind of exercise now you will be doing many things to insure success down the road.
Even if you are just a few days post op you can do some resistance exercises. You may not be allowed to lift above a certain amount, but you can do something. If you start a walking program...Pu**** a little...further and further or alittle faster. During the rapid weightloss you probably will lose some muscle mass. By doing some core lifting (or streangthing of some kind) you can retain some of the muscle you are losing. The exercise program will improve you heart, lungs, and get the endorphins going. You may need to go from one sport or exercise to another, till you find the one that is best for you. I hate walking now...I ride my bike. I have to walk 2-5 miles a day as a security guard. Anyways...find your grove and go for it.
Would love other guys input on these things. Brian
Even if you are just a few days post op you can do some resistance exercises. You may not be allowed to lift above a certain amount, but you can do something. If you start a walking program...Pu**** a little...further and further or alittle faster. During the rapid weightloss you probably will lose some muscle mass. By doing some core lifting (or streangthing of some kind) you can retain some of the muscle you are losing. The exercise program will improve you heart, lungs, and get the endorphins going. You may need to go from one sport or exercise to another, till you find the one that is best for you. I hate walking now...I ride my bike. I have to walk 2-5 miles a day as a security guard. Anyways...find your grove and go for it.
Would love other guys input on these things. Brian
Amen to everything you mentioned Brian. I have been exercising pretty faithfully since about my six month mark and am coming up on nine months now and am at the gym at least 3 times a week and walk for 1/2 hour at lunch each week day. As I've posted around I am becoming addicted to the running thing and am now in week 5 of the C25K program. I actually ran three 5 minute intervals today with a 3 minute walk in between each. At still around 330 that is still a lot to push but I'm doing it. Loooking forward to Wednesday when I'm supposed to do two 8 minute intervals with a 3 minute walk in between. Right now I'm a bit scared but think oh yeah, I can do this!! I have also been doing circuit training a couple times of week and really am starting to love how that makes you feel. Oh yeah, forgot to mention that I do the 4 flights of stairs to my desk at work every day and every time I go for lunch or coffee. No more Elevators!!! Just think this time last year I wouldn't go near the stairs if my life depended on it. Crazy new world opening up now and I Love it! 
9/9/09: Highest Weight: 506.5 lbs 9/20/10: Tufts Start Weight: 492.4 lbs
2/7/11: Surgery Wt: 462.5 lbs. 9/16/12: Current Weight: 287.8 lbs.
4/15/12: First 5K - BAA 5K - PR 35:49
That lunch walk and those stairs are the exact thing I'm talking about. We all know we will get busy with life. Pressures come at us from all sides...family, work, finances, ect. If you physically can't do it, I understand...If you can't, you can't. If you have a bad back or have arthritis and are limited...Find something what works for you. Later with the weightloss you'll be able to take on 10-12 hour days at work...finding the extra income. But where will that leave the exercise? I know one security guard who I work with...He has high blood pressure. He is stuck on this 1/2 acre work site...watching a parking lot. He walks the parking lot for an hour!! It's not required for his job...Talk about creative...He found the time. Find the time guys when and where you can...You'll thank me later. I'll get off my soap box now...
Brian,
One thing I'm going to add that I've learned along the way and I just mentioned on another post is to support "the boys". I ended up going to a sports physican because of groin pain. As the doc told me, as obese men most of our weight is in our belly and where does that sit? Right on top of the groin area and that stretches out the muscles. He recomended I wear a jock for all activity and I do and find it much more comfortable. There are several styles on the market, just find a kind that is comfortable. I like the swimmers jock. It has narrower waiste/leg straps.
One thing I'm going to add that I've learned along the way and I just mentioned on another post is to support "the boys". I ended up going to a sports physican because of groin pain. As the doc told me, as obese men most of our weight is in our belly and where does that sit? Right on top of the groin area and that stretches out the muscles. He recomended I wear a jock for all activity and I do and find it much more comfortable. There are several styles on the market, just find a kind that is comfortable. I like the swimmers jock. It has narrower waiste/leg straps.
"Death borders upon our birth, and our cradle stands in the grave. Our birth is nothing but our death begun."
Good point...I had bladder stone surgery in January. My Urologist said to stay off the bike. Not going to happen. I bought a better bike seat and am looking for an even better one.
Something like these...That Spongy Wonder looks interesting.
Something like these...That Spongy Wonder looks interesting.
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Designed by Roger Minkow, M.D. |
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 Spongy Wonder™ Bike Seat |
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Totally agree. I work on the 2nd floor and the elevator for my half of the building is directly across from my office suite door. Prior to surgery, I took the elevator EXCLUSIVELY. In a stroke of fate, a week after returning to full activity at work, the elevator broke and I had to start taking the stairs or walk all the way to the other side of the building to get to the other one. It took them 3 weeks to get the parts in to repair "my" elevator, and I have yet to try it out again. I only take the stairs and am loving it.
On top of that, I have never been an active guy. I have joined LA Fitness (gym down the road from my house) and started going 3x a week like my Dr told me to. Now I am finding that on days I don't go, I feel guilty... even if I have already done my 3x that week. Last week I was there 6 out of the 7 days. When I got home from the gym tonight, my wife informed me that I got a call while I was at the gym asking if I would keep my beautiful god-daughter on Thursday after work for a couple of hours while her Mom and Dad are busy. I said "ABSOLUTELY" because I love spending time with her. But at the same time, thought... maybe I will see if I can get off work an hour early so I can still make the gym... What a change in mentality!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!
I guess this is my long winded way of saying, I think it makes a huge difference to get as active as possible as quick as possible. I will gladly admit that I was lazy at first, and waited a full month after surgery before getting into the gym. However, I am already feeling the difference even with just losing weight, the difference in endurance and energy level has shot up since going to the gym regularly to supplement my weight loss.
Thank GOD for this surgery!!!! Now just to make sure I take advantage of the opportunity afforded me.
On top of that, I have never been an active guy. I have joined LA Fitness (gym down the road from my house) and started going 3x a week like my Dr told me to. Now I am finding that on days I don't go, I feel guilty... even if I have already done my 3x that week. Last week I was there 6 out of the 7 days. When I got home from the gym tonight, my wife informed me that I got a call while I was at the gym asking if I would keep my beautiful god-daughter on Thursday after work for a couple of hours while her Mom and Dad are busy. I said "ABSOLUTELY" because I love spending time with her. But at the same time, thought... maybe I will see if I can get off work an hour early so I can still make the gym... What a change in mentality!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!
I guess this is my long winded way of saying, I think it makes a huge difference to get as active as possible as quick as possible. I will gladly admit that I was lazy at first, and waited a full month after surgery before getting into the gym. However, I am already feeling the difference even with just losing weight, the difference in endurance and energy level has shot up since going to the gym regularly to supplement my weight loss.
Thank GOD for this surgery!!!! Now just to make sure I take advantage of the opportunity afforded me.
HW: 429 SW: 380 Height: 5'08"
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