aroundhky

When a few months after the sleeve, a typical spring gust that used to end and dissipate when it made contact with my body, now nearly blows me of my feet and pushes me around. When this happened a few months after my sleeve, I think it was the first time the wind physically moved me since I was a teenager.

Easy Andrew..... slow that roll just a bit.
It's true that alcohol is empty calories, but I think the amount and frequency is the determining factor. If one indulges in a glass or two of wine every other week, not sure that's really going to make a difference. If someone is drinking say.....every other day or a few times a week, there's probably going to be problem with extra cals. You're lumping everyone together it seems. And by the way, my Dr AND Nut said that an occasional drink after a few months will not hurt. I can't speak for others on here, but the message you and I received may certainly differ from other messages from other bariatric teams. So if someone is complying with what they were told, it's hard to throw them under the bus.....even if it differs from what you've been told.
With that said.....for those who may be alcoholics or recovering, it's probably best to not partake again.

When a few months after the sleeve, a typical spring gust that used to end and dissipate when it made contact with my body, now nearly blows me of my feet and pushes me around. When this happened a few months after my sleeve, I think it was the first time the wind physically moved me since I was a teenager.

Easy Andrew..... slow that roll just a bit.
It's true that alcohol is empty calories, but I think the amount and frequency is the determining factor. If one indulges in a glass or two of wine every other week, not sure that's really going to make a difference. If someone is drinking say.....every other day or a few times a week, there's probably going to be problem with extra cals. You're lumping everyone together it seems. And by the way, my Dr AND Nut said that an occasional drink after a few months will not hurt. I can't speak for others on here, but the message you and I received may certainly differ from other messages from other bariatric teams. So if someone is complying with what they were told, it's hard to throw them under the bus.....even if it differs from what you've been told.
With that said.....for those who may be alcoholics or recovering, it's probably best to not partake again.

Thanks Pdxman! I lifted some last week (fairly light). I just got back from the gym today working shoulders and triceps and feel pretty good. I didn't go crazy, but lifted heavy enough to where it required some mild effort. I may be way off, but it seems like I'm only slightly weaker than I was before I started my pre-op diet. I can tell that looking at myself and feeling my flabby arms and legs that I lost a lot of muscle mass itself, but just a little strength-wise. I thought for sure after seeing my muscles wither away for the past 5 weeks, that I would be so weak that I could hardly lift anything. For example: military presses before pre-op I could do about 185 pounds behind the neck press for about 5-8 reps. Today I did the same lift with 135 pounds for 8 reps (2 sets). I know there is some strength loss, but not nearly as much as I would've thought by looking at me. I feel a lot better now! I'm thinking maybe some "muscle memory" will help me as well to gain back some of my original strength.
Sleeved 11/3/2011

Easy Andrew..... slow that roll just a bit.
It's true that alcohol is empty calories, but I think the amount and frequency is the determining factor. If one indulges in a glass or two of wine every other week, not sure that's really going to make a difference. If someone is drinking say.....every other day or a few times a week, there's probably going to be problem with extra cals. You're lumping everyone together it seems. And by the way, my Dr AND Nut said that an occasional drink after a few months will not hurt. I can't speak for others on here, but the message you and I received may certainly differ from other messages from other bariatric teams. So if someone is complying with what they were told, it's hard to throw them under the bus.....even if it differs from what you've been told.
With that said.....for those who may be alcoholics or recovering, it's probably best to not partake again.

Had my first drink probably 2 or 3 months after surgery and absolutely hit me faster and harder than it did before. So much so that I mostly abstain from it except on the rare occassion. Ease into it and see how your body reacts before diving into shots.

Even though I'm about 2 and a half years post op, I've been up and down the past year or so. But not the kind of up and down (mostly up) that I was before the sleeve. By up and down now I mean maybe 12-15 pounds, which seems to be related more to my workouts and muscle gain or loss for the most part. Not the 20-40 pounds like before the sleeve. I'm still very happy I went through getting the sleeve over 2 and a half years ago.....hope I can still say that 10-20 years from now. The first one I was almost at my heaviest....320-ish. The second one I was about around my lowest (low 220's I think) and the last one was a week ago in the mid 230's.

Can't speak for everyone, but mine went from 9" to 11+".
Just kidding, I really haven't noticed much of a change, if any.

Easy Andrew..... slow that roll just a bit.
It's true that alcohol is empty calories, but I think the amount and frequency is the determining factor. If one indulges in a glass or two of wine every other week, not sure that's really going to make a difference. If someone is drinking say.....every other day or a few times a week, there's probably going to be problem with extra cals. You're lumping everyone together it seems. And by the way, my Dr AND Nut said that an occasional drink after a few months will not hurt. I can't speak for others on here, but the message you and I received may certainly differ from other messages from other bariatric teams. So if someone is complying with what they were told, it's hard to throw them under the bus.....even if it differs from what you've been told.
With that said.....for those who may be alcoholics or recovering, it's probably best to not partake again.

When a few months after the sleeve, a typical spring gust that used to end and dissipate when it made contact with my body, now nearly blows me of my feet and pushes me around. When this happened a few months after my sleeve, I think it was the first time the wind physically moved me since I was a teenager.

Even though I'm about 2 and a half years post op, I've been up and down the past year or so. But not the kind of up and down (mostly up) that I was before the sleeve. By up and down now I mean maybe 12-15 pounds, which seems to be related more to my workouts and muscle gain or loss for the most part. Not the 20-40 pounds like before the sleeve. I'm still very happy I went through getting the sleeve over 2 and a half years ago.....hope I can still say that 10-20 years from now. The first one I was almost at my heaviest....320-ish. The second one I was about around my lowest (low 220's I think) and the last one was a week ago in the mid 230's.

Had my first drink probably 2 or 3 months after surgery and absolutely hit me faster and harder than it did before. So much so that I mostly abstain from it except on the rare occassion. Ease into it and see how your body reacts before diving into shots.

Can't speak for everyone, but mine went from 9" to 11+".
Just kidding, I really haven't noticed much of a change, if any.

I think a lot of those pre-workout supps are made of caffeine and L-arginine as well other ingredients. On a rare occasion I may have just a little caffeine to get my butt there and wake me up, but that's maybe once a month on the rare instance that I just can't get going. Usually once I'm in there working out, I'm alert with plenty of energy. And I usually do it on an empty stomach. It's weird, but I have my best workouts on an empty stomach. I don't know if being hungry makes me angry which results in a good workout or if it's because my body is not using its resources trying to digest food and I can devote all of my energy to the workout. I'm really not sure why working out on empty stomach works for me. If I do have anything before a workout, it will maybe be a banana and I make sure it's at least an hour or two before my workout. If I eat a complex carb right before my workout, I feel sluggish and lethargic and I've learned the hard way that method doesn't work for me. But everyone is different, especially if one has sugar issues. Some people absolutely can't get a good workout in without some carbs before exercise. I would try different things to see what works best for you before taking those high dose caffeine supplements.< /p>

What specifically do you hate about it? That may help you see what exactly gives you the negative outlook towards exercise and maybe there's a way to get around what you hate, find something you like and thus be more motivated. Is it a public thing and you don't like being around other people while you do it? Is it because maybe you don't have much time due to a busy schedule and stress about finding time for it? Is it the actual physical exertion involved and you don't like or the sweating often involved? Is a combination of some of these or something entirely different? If you can, let us know what specifically you don't like about it and maybe there's something you can do to still get exercise in and not hate it.

Cococat......cold Water and message received. I appreciate the concern and I know this world is full of crooks and shysters and I try to reasonably block them out without being paranoid or constantly watching behind my back....all while trying not to give up my liberty and the pursuit of happiness. For me, it's good to be careful...... within reason. All I can say is if they try to use my image or likeness for their gain.....I want a monthly royalty check from their portion of their proceeds. If they do something worse, I posess a particular set of skills that I have acquired over a lifetime of training, skills that make me a nightmare for people like them. I will look for them, I will find them....and I will end them.

Jersey...you can do it and I think you'll be glad you went through with it. Like Indianaman said.....it can be done.

Just getting started back with weight training.
It's a bit dicey since I have a torn rotator cuff in my right shoulder and a failed abdominal hernia repair.
Anyway.....excuses notwithstanding......here is a pic taken today:

This pic taken one day before my sleeve surgery in October 2015:

Getting there.....in spite of not being able to really blow it out like I want to.

26 months post-op VSG and LOVING my life now.
So much energy and vitality - i had no idea life could be this way! <3

You give me hope! I was in a 26 and 319 at surgery, I am 4 months out and 80lbs down so far. This was a few weeks after surgery then a week ago.

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing

New before/after..

Jersey.....it looks like you have a great foundation for muscle from what I can see. I was fairly similar. Had lifted for years and I had lots of strength/muscle from those years of lifting. But I was overweight and unhealthy, had a lot of additional fat with the muscle. With hard work and just the right nutrition, you'll get back to your original strength/muscle levels after your initial rapid weight and muscle loss. That's my guess anyway since we're so similar.
Ex:.... I was deadlifting 475 for a single rep and 405 for 5 reps before surgery. About oh.....maybe 7-8 months after my sleeve, I was back to those levels....minus the fat. In total from highest weight to lowest, I lost around 80-90 pounds. I have most, if not all of my original muscle, but with the fat loss, I'm just more cut now....or as I like to say....."ripped". Well at least in my own mind anyway.
It's a long process and you'll probably be like me....discouraged the first 1-4 months post op and really missing the strength. Just hang in there, keep lifting during the weight loss phase, and you'll eventually get back the strength months down the road. Lifting during losing is really important. You cant really build muscle while losing a lot of weight, but you can certainly maintain it or lessen the rate of muscle loss by lifting. It signals to your body that you need the muscle.....and more of your weight loss will be fat and not as much muscle loss. With that said, ease into lifting again as your body needs to adjust and you don't want to injure yourself and have a set back. Listen to your Dr to release you. I would urge you to stay the course....I think you'll be happy you did. Wish you the best man!

Hey, I just saw this. Sorry, I don't visit much. It's a good topic, so I hope this thread can be helpful and if I can help with anything I'll be glad to. 4 year sleeve veteran here that lifts a lot.