kemo46

The good news is it gets easier. Keep a glass with you and sip,sip and sip some more. I too was a big water drinker before surgery, it took a couple of months before I could drink like I used to. I like the idea of setting an alarm, anything to keep you hydrated. I was instructed that staying hydrated was the most important thing, more than protein, more than anything. I read horror stories about the issues caused by dehydration, you do not want that. I actually became obsessed with making sure I got enough liquids in because I did not want to have the issues with dehydration. The one thing that helped me was since I could not drink with my meals, I made it a priority to drink one 20oz glass of water 1 hour before and 1 hour after my meal. If I did this, I was assured that I would get plenty of water.

Paul, that is amazing. You have proved that regardless of the amount of weight loss needed, it can be done. I bet you feel like a different person. Congrats to you.

Fantastic job, keep it up.

That is awesome, I can only imagine how you must feel. I have never been a runner but getting ready to do a 5k ( baby steps). Right now, I cannot even imagine me running 13.1 miles but then again, I never would have thought I would have lost 90 lbs in less than 6 months. How did you train, what were the steps you took to get up to a half marathon?

You are doing great. Even though a 5k is only a little over 3 miles, you should still start slow and build up to it. I am going to participate in a 5k as well but I learned something, I can only jog a little over a quarter of a mile and I have to slow down to a walk and then jog another quarter a mile. I found a great training program for a 5k, it is called couch potato to 5k. It shows you how to start training for a 5k without killing yourself. Google it and you can print it off, it is the best I have seen to help increase the stamina. Good luck.

Please reconfirm with your surgeon about the heavy activity. Most surgeons do not want you doing any heavy activities for at least 6 weeks. I was only allowed walking for 6 weeks and then I gradually built up my exercise program. I think I would have ripped my guts out at 2 weeks. Just confirm there is not a miscommunication between you and your surgeon, better safe than sorry.

Like CPA said, start slow. I had some good conversations with my trainer before I hired him. It is very important that you prioritize what you want to accomplish. I am almost 6 months out from surgery and less than 30 lbs. from my goal weight. My number one goal is still WEIGHT LOSS. We have a short window, generally within the first 8 months after surgery when we lose our weight and reach our goal. Even though I do cardio and weight training at the gym, we put together a program that the weight loss will still be the priority. If you start taking in more carbs and doing more weight training, you will build muscle faster but your weight loss will be almost non-existent. I have increased my calories and carbs for my exercise program and I have been toning up nicely but I have to make sure I do not over do my carbs and calorie intake to maximize my weight loss. This seems to be working very well for me. My body fat percentage has been dropping at a good rate, my weight loss has picked back up and I am stronger than I have been in years. I have very little loose skin, even after dropping 90 lbs. I have been doing weight programs that are working on the toning and that seems to be working out as well. Now to answer your question. Talk to a certified trainer and build a plan around your priorities. Your ticker shows you are still about 95 lbs. from goal and 3 months post surgery. It seems that weight loss at this point should still be your main goal and you should really watch the carbs for that. Let me know what the trainer tells you. Good Luck.

You have to be careful doing workout videos at home because you can over do it. You need to start slow and increase your time or weights each time. The good news is after a couple of workouts, you will not be as sore. My trainer told me that when I am working out on my own, take a 4x6 index card with me and write down the time, weight or reps that I complete and try to improve on it each time I go to the gym. It is like a little game and competition now and it helps me. The best motivation is results so get to the gym and get started, it works wonders.

Rick, it has nothing to do with having the skills or experience to work around a slick or fatty liver, it is more dangerous and raises the complication chances. Some patients have a low enough BMI that there is no need for a pre-op diet, there is room for the surgeon to work. If a surgeon puts a patient on a pre-op diet, it is for a reason. I know Surgeons here in the states and in Mexico that have performed thousands of WLS and if the patient's BMI is high, they put them on the pre-op diet. These surgeons have plenty of skills and more experience than most. I had an in-depth discussion with a Bariatric surgeon a couple of months ago about this topic. I was under the impression that the diet was just to shrink the liver where in reality, it is more important to change the texture so it becomes less slippery and easier to manage during surgery.

Hey Becca, we have all been there. The way I handled the big family dinners is I tried everything and anything I wanted. The 4 ounces still does not do too much damage. I exercise before the meal to get my metabolism up and I exercise after. I did not deprive myself from anything I wanted to try. I actually lost two lbs. at our last big get together just because of the quanity that I had eaten and the exercise. Enjoy family and the great food.

The pre-op diet is not to just shrink the liver, it is to change the texture. The purpose is to make it less slippery during surgery so they can easily move it out of the way during surgery. Please be honest with your surgeon even if it means rescheduling your surgery, let your surgeon make the call. I do not know your situation including your BMI, some patients do not even have to go through a pre-op diet. This is a call your surgeon needs to make, it is your health, do not keep anything from them.

Way to go Noel, it is amazing that we started this journey just a few months ago. I cannot imagine only being 5 lbs from goal, it would make me want to run 10 miles a day to drop that 5 lbs. Keep us posted on that last leg of your goal. Way to go buddy.

Keep researching. I too was considering the Lap Band, I am so happy I went with the sleeve. A very large percentage of the sleeve surgeries the surgeons perform are LAP-BAND REVISIONS. The corrosion, the slippage and people get tired of the on going maintenance that is required with all of the fills are the main reasons for the revisions.

Welcome David, there is a wealth of information on the forum. Dive right in and ask questions, there are plenty of people capable and willing to help answer anything you have.

I had my surgery on 5-25-2011 and I have lost 88 lbs. Thank God for this fabulous tool.

It is a sickness, my wife says I need an intervention. I love nice high end clothes. I refuse to pay retail, especially until I reach my goal weight. I am hooked on thrift shops and Goodwill. I buy like new Polo, Tommy Bahama, Hilfiger, Eddie Bauer and Banana Republic shirts for 4.00 to 5.00 dollars. At this rate, I might not ever buy new clothes again, like I said, it is a sickness. Since I am no longer limited to big and tall sections, this has opened up a whole new world to me.

You are so right. I was having a terrible time with these areas, my personal trainer has me doing core exercises like the planks and the bicycle ( not riding a bike), it is an ab building crunch of sorts. It has reduced my love handles and lower belly a lot. Cardio is always good but if you work on the core and abs, your lower belly will go away.

I wish I would have measured but I did not. My personal trainer just measured me a couple of weeks ago but I was already down over 80 lbs. I did go from a 52 pant to a 40 ( currently) but getting close to a 38. I went from 4x shirt to XL and some of them are getting big. It is so nice to be able to shop anywhere again, I will NEVER go near a big and Tall store again.

Amanda, you are so right. I am a little over 5 months out and my weight loss had slowed to a crawl. I exercise every day and could not understand it. I thought I was still eating close to what I was two and three months ago. I have been a member on My Fitness Pal for many months so I could go back and view my meals and calorie intake. I was still eating very healthy but my calories went from the 500-700 range to 1200. Over the last week, I changed my diet and lowered my calories back down to about 700 and my weight loss has started up again. Normally 1200 to 1500 calories would not hurt me but in this stage of my weight loss, I have to take advantage of this critical time and drop my weight. As of today, I am about 28 lbs. from goal. I told my personal trainer that getting in shape and toning up was important but the weight loss is still my # 1 goal. You are correct about the numbers, it was a protein bar here, a smoothie there and before you know it, you have added 500 more calories to your daily intake. MFP is a great website not just for the number crunching but for exercise and putting a plan together.

Life changing and Life saving.

Most of the time, my wife and I split a meal. We have saved so much money and we do not waste any food. When we cannot agree or want something different, I order off the kids menu if there is anything healthy on there. We have cut our food bill down well over 50% over the last 5 months. We also take advantage of the 2 for 1 specials so we get 2 entrees for the price of one.

Hello all, what type of heart rate monitor do you use while running or exercising? There are so many on the market and they range widely in price. I do not want to spend too much on one but I want one that works well and is user friendly. I like the watch style and I do not want a chest band. Any input would be appreciated, thank you.

I had my sleeve done on May 25th, 2011, I was 46. I just turned 47 in September. It has been great, I wish I would have done it years ago but timing is everything.

The price should be the same. Something does not sound right. I had my surgery in Mexico as well. I have sent you a PM.

Hello Yecats, I just sent you a PM.