mi75

so happy for you! I think that it is so often misunderstood that these surgeries are mostly to get our lives back, and regain our health, and not typically anything to do with vanity.
sure, the fact that we look great is a huge added bonus, but I look forward to playing with my son, and teaching my 11 yr old daughter how to become a runner!
i'm still pre-op but pretty close to getting everything submitted to insurance and I am so much looking forward to saying that I am medication free, breathing normally again, have some actual energy and can be totally involved with my kids!

Lot of great posts.
I love running, have ran my whole "fat" life. When I was getting ready to do my first marathon I got a book that I loved. It is called Galloway's Book of Running. It had a lot of awesome information.
From a personal perspective, I only noticed this after running a long time, I am a shuffler so I dont actually lift my feet of the ground that high, so I was not using a pounding type action or bend my knees to much. This is what really saved my knees I think as my stride was a bit differnt than "normal runners" :-)
Does it get easier? You betchya as long as you enjoy it. I think and again just my humble opinion, the secret to fitness is to find something you like and don't think of it as exercise but it just becomes another habit you love and don't want to live without.
One of the things I use to do was while walking, I would walk for about 5 minutes, then pick a spot and jog to it. Slowly decreasing my walk time and increasing my run time. The C25k I think uses the same type of principle, walk and jog building you up to eventually running the full time.
For shoes I agree a specialty running store is great. I use mizuno beast because my feet are pretty wide and they come in a wider shoe plus they are built for heavier runners.
Good luck on your journey.

I wholly agree to have a gait analysis done. there are great stores out there JUST for runners, and they will help walkers too.
I am a die hard MIZUNO brand devotee right now. actually have been for many years. they are pricey but worth it. i'm a nurse and overweight and on my feet all day. these shoes save the day and I can still function when I get home.
New Balance are supposedly a brand that were designed for the walker, however I don't really care for them too much. I didn't feel like I got great support from the shoe. my parents love them though, and they are pretty avid walkers.
Since everyone's feet are so different, all the suggestions in the world may not be helpful unless you get a gait analysis, and best of luck!

I was a runner in my previous life (before I became overweight)...I started in jr high and just dove right in because I joined the Cross Country team.
I agree about GREAT running shoes. and don't pick them yourself. go to a store that specializes in running if you can find one, have a gait analysis done and get the shoes that your feet require for success. Asics are an awesome brand, and I wore them in school. these days I prefer Mizuno but everybody's feet are different!
I broke my leg shortly before I got married almost two decades ago, and that morning was the last time I ever ran. I had extensive leg and ankle surgery and my ortho guy tells me once I lose my weight I can run again. but since it has been SO many years, i'll be starting from scratch, like you.
I would consider starting at a track, like at a school. the distance to start is VERY finite. once around. then when you can do that well, twice around, etc. the bonus to that is that you can park your Water bottle at the end and rehydrate often. also, most school tracks are made with some pretty good shock absorbing powers under them, and the only audience there are kids.
once you are doing some decent distance, then take to the parks, outdoors, etc.
best of luck!

I've been a nurse since Noah built his arc and I can just say this form of snobbery is what we like to refer to as RNitis. SERIOUSLY????? As stated, its still the medical field.

keep breathing and know that it will likely grow back...I truly am at peace with losing my hair if I look smokin'!! i'll just cut it VERY short and spike it a bit and hope that I look so healthy and thin that nobody bothers looking at my hair! lol...

I am also an RN with my BSN and almost done with my MSN (WHOOP!!)
I believe that the best RNs are those that first worked as a nursing assistant. it helps you truly appreciate the TEAM that you are part of, and taking care of the patients. After all, that is what we do, we take care of patients. titles aside.
I work in a huge private practice with multiple docs. The MA's and NA's in our practice do a huge brunt of the work rooming patients, independently titrating meds, triaging nursing calls, etc. The other RN's and myself couldn't provide the advanced levels of care that we do without our MA's.
In my practice, our MA's are absolutely a huge part of our team, and for sure in the medical field. I went to a nursing school where they really encouraged team delegation, RN leadership, etc. That was awesome and really important for learning how to be a nurse, but at the end of the day, we are all in this together.

I am also an RN with my BSN and almost done with my MSN (WHOOP!!)
I believe that the best RNs are those that first worked as a nursing assistant. it helps you truly appreciate the TEAM that you are part of, and taking care of the patients. After all, that is what we do, we take care of patients. titles aside.
I work in a huge private practice with multiple docs. The MA's and NA's in our practice do a huge brunt of the work rooming patients, independently titrating meds, triaging nursing calls, etc. The other RN's and myself couldn't provide the advanced levels of care that we do without our MA's.
In my practice, our MA's are absolutely a huge part of our team, and for sure in the medical field. I went to a nursing school where they really encouraged team delegation, RN leadership, etc. That was awesome and really important for learning how to be a nurse, but at the end of the day, we are all in this together.

I am also an RN with my BSN and almost done with my MSN (WHOOP!!)
I believe that the best RNs are those that first worked as a nursing assistant. it helps you truly appreciate the TEAM that you are part of, and taking care of the patients. After all, that is what we do, we take care of patients. titles aside.
I work in a huge private practice with multiple docs. The MA's and NA's in our practice do a huge brunt of the work rooming patients, independently titrating meds, triaging nursing calls, etc. The other RN's and myself couldn't provide the advanced levels of care that we do without our MA's.
In my practice, our MA's are absolutely a huge part of our team, and for sure in the medical field. I went to a nursing school where they really encouraged team delegation, RN leadership, etc. That was awesome and really important for learning how to be a nurse, but at the end of the day, we are all in this together.

just wanted to throw out there this info...on youtube there is a great show from the UK called Fat Doctor. MANY episodes uploaded and no commercials. It is similar to 'my 600 lb life' however these people weigh anywhere from about 275 up to 450, so it is way more comparable to many of us getting surgery.
I have been watching the episodes this weekend as I am really focused on educating myself as MUCH as possible as I prepare for my surgery. FYI- there are VERY graphic scenes of the surgery itself but it is also a great view into what exactly happens-being a nurse it didn't bother me at all.
Just wanted to pass this along as I thought that it was really great to find such a wealth of info from the shows. btw, 1 stone=14 lb.

keep breathing and know that it will likely grow back...I truly am at peace with losing my hair if I look smokin'!! i'll just cut it VERY short and spike it a bit and hope that I look so healthy and thin that nobody bothers looking at my hair! lol...

keep breathing and know that it will likely grow back...I truly am at peace with losing my hair if I look smokin'!! i'll just cut it VERY short and spike it a bit and hope that I look so healthy and thin that nobody bothers looking at my hair! lol...

I am convinced we are all going to be the HOTTEST bald women around. Look out Sinead O'Connor. You're a hasbeen.

fyi- refried Beans, yogurt are ok which I LOVE both of so that is ok...oatmeal too, but it has to be very thin. so 3 things I can stomach.
any other recommendations or ideas are VERY much appreciated!!!!!!

I am pre-op but asked my surgeon specific to this question. PCOS for 10+ years, blood SUGAR levels normal, however free blood INSULIN level generally from 55-75 and VERY insulin resistant even with metformin. He told me that most women with PCOS will normalize their insulin levels within a month or two of surgery AND that I can expect normal monthly cycles for the first time in my life..

I am still pre-op but I have a close friend who is 1 yr post-op and she taught me how to mix it into Soups, to start with powder and small amounts of cool liquid and gradually work in more liquids...I am curious to try it! she also did a mashed banana and choc mix to make a sort of 'ice cream' which I tried and was good!

I am pre-op but asked my surgeon specific to this question. PCOS for 10+ years, blood SUGAR levels normal, however free blood INSULIN level generally from 55-75 and VERY insulin resistant even with metformin. He told me that most women with PCOS will normalize their insulin levels within a month or two of surgery AND that I can expect normal monthly cycles for the first time in my life..

wayne- great advice! I am sadly still pre-op, preparing for June surgery. however, I have read book after book and watched ALL the episodes of Fat Doctor on youtube so I feel like I am well informed. my surgeon will not allow gummies of any sort, including Viactiv Calcium (BOO!!) so in my case, liquid Vitamins...
the only other thing I can add is to prep some of your 'blended' foods and freeze. I watched a lot of patients do that on Fat Doctor. They made things like a meat sauce (without pasta), Soups, shepards pie, etc and froze them in ice cube trays which worked really well!

there's no law that says you have to have traditional (Western traditional) "breakfast" foods for breakfast! I usually have a romaine lettuce wrap - about two ounces of meat (sirloin, chicken, etc.), slivered up and heated with some sauce and wrapped in the lettuce leaf. Or just heat it up, and add a flavorful mustard and some sugar free pickle relish to sirloin and wrap it up in a romaine lettuce leaf. This breakfast is just about always under 90 calories, gives you about 12 - 13 grams of Protein, and some Fiber from the lettuce as well!
Another favorite of mine is a quarter cup of refried Beans heated up with some cheese and topped with a poached egg - you are sick of eggs, so maybe do some spicy jalapeno sausage instead?
And sometimes I just have something like leftover salmon and some green veggies for breakfast - very healthy and delicious.

thanks to everyone for your kind replies and honesty! I have always been bigger busted and that is one of the things I am really looking forward to ! I have been in an underwire since about age 13 and really won't be sad to let those go! I am pretty sure that I WILL need bust work done simply because I really needed a lift even already when I was young and thin. your honest replies are very helpful!

I started out a 44H and ended up a 34D before I had my lift. Before my lift I had been left with something resembling a tube sock with a ball in the bottom. With a lift I am a 34C.
I had enough breast tissue left to have proportionate and perkier breasts - but they don't have the amount of volume in the upper breast as implants. I do prefer that about implants -that your breasts can appear to be those of an 18 year old... However, given the lower cost and that I had enough breast tissue left to look somewhat proportional I ended up with the lift.
I retained normal sensation, it was a far easier recovery than my other plastics, and I would do it again.

There seems to be a fairly common misconception that surgery patients have a long list of foods that they will never be able to eat again. That is simply not true in the majority of cases. A more important question than what you will never be able to eat is what foods will you choose to eat. Or not eat. With a very short list of exceptions (white rice, eggnog, and only small amounts of bread), I can eat anything I choose to eat. By whatever means, surgery profoundly changes the choices you make. It's amazing. And as Baconville pointed out, a bite or two of favorites is more often than not, totally satisfying. I can't explain it but that's what happens and when you get right down to it - how cool is that?!!

Honey you know what is really great? After this surgery you dont have that strong crazy urge for certain food anymore. Given, right after surgery you do, but it is in your head - you crave the comfort of these foods.
But after time of not eating it and getting comfort from other non-food options, you dont need the same fix anymore.
It is wonderful! So so so exhilirating!
I was a hectic emotional eater.
I was a zombie to go get a bacon and cheese sandwich and TEN samoosas every day at 11 at work.
I would hate myself and promise myself i wouldnt do it the next day - but in the end i would give in and go. I couldnt help myself. It was horrific.
And the coolest thing now, it is like shackles was removed - i have no craving or need for those foods whatsoever and dont even care that i dont eat it anymore. It is like a weird reprogramming that happened.
And can i just say - i am one of those women that have tried everything under the sun to lose weight and be healthy. Every diet, every gimmick, pills, everything. Nothing worked for me. This is the first time ever.
On another note, after about 6 months you will be able to eat those foods again. But only a little. And also test it one at a time, because people and their pouch react differently to certain foods.
Some things make me dump, and others not.
Good luck and enjoy the journey!

I think that the opinion you should seek is that of your surgeon. just because they know your ENTIRE medical history, comorbidities, physique, etc. Some pre-existing diagnoses make one or the other surgery more desirable too. example- if you are insulin resistant, diabetic or metabolic syndrome, generally insurance will only reimburse for RNY.
if you have any form of GERD or have had hiatal hernia or a positive EGD in the past, insurance will generally only reimburse for RNY.
even if neither of these are an issue, your insurance still may dictate which procedure you have. I have some background in billing/coding and you wouldn't believe some of the hoops that are placed for bariatrics. good luck!

just wanted to throw out there this info...on youtube there is a great show from the UK called Fat Doctor. MANY episodes uploaded and no commercials. It is similar to 'my 600 lb life' however these people weigh anywhere from about 275 up to 450, so it is way more comparable to many of us getting surgery.
I have been watching the episodes this weekend as I am really focused on educating myself as MUCH as possible as I prepare for my surgery. FYI- there are VERY graphic scenes of the surgery itself but it is also a great view into what exactly happens-being a nurse it didn't bother me at all.
Just wanted to pass this along as I thought that it was really great to find such a wealth of info from the shows. btw, 1 stone=14 lb.