SleeveSoon

I have also been hitting the swimming pool at the gym a few times a week. Its been tough getting all of this exercise and physical therapy in, but I have made it a priority. Swimming laps indoors is not my favorite, but I am looking forward to the outdoor pool opening up after Memorial Day.

About 2 months ago I took a fitness assessment (Active Metabolic Assessment) that involved taking measurements (heart rate, etc.) while on an elliptical machine. I did 15 minutes on the machine to establish a base line, had a short rest, and then did another 15 minutes at increasing resistance every 2 minutes. With 20 seconds to go my knees buckled and I was not able to continue. After 2 months of almost daily exercise the same thing happened about 45 minutes into a group fitness class today. I was on an elliptical machine doing interval training and my knees buckled again without warning. I am hoping to avoid this happening again and don't have any history of problems with my legs or knees. I am not sure if this is being caused by diet (currently averaging 1,200 calories and 100 grams of Protein per day), simple exhaustion, or possibly orthopedic issues. Looking for suggestions on whether I should see my PCP, my nutritionist, an orthopedic doctor, or simply avoid elliptical machines.

Here is an update. I went to my PCP who reminded me that I was treated for osteoarthritis in my left knee 5 years ago and that the pain in my right knee could be the same problem. He ordered an x-ray of my right knee and referred me to an orthopedic doctor. The x-ray showed a mild case of osteoarthritis in my right knee. The orthopedic doctor didn't find any other things wrong with my knee and referred me to a physical therapist. The physical therapist noticed that the muscles in my right leg were weaker than the muscles in my left leg and has set up a program to strengthen the muscles in my right leg and to increase flexibility. I have been working with the physical therapist for the past few weeks and he is going to have me get on an elliptical machine tomorrow during our session. I am a little apprehensive about getting back on the elliptical machine, but I am glad to be making progress.

If you have any left I would be interested. I was just in Sandy Hook Park last weekend. I live in South Jersey (Moorestown).

I also worry about muscle loss while trying to get to my goal of 200 pounds. I need to hit that goal before getting my doctor to order another sleep study for sleep apnea. I just started working with a physical therapist for a knee issue caused by weakness in my leg muscles. I am still losing weight (slowly) and hitting the gym on a regular basis lifting weights and doing cardio. Good luck to you.

If you are apprehensive about joining a gym, I would suggest visiting some local gyms at around the time of day that you would normally go to the gym. The visit would give you some idea of the culture of the gym and some gyms will even let you use the facility on a trial basis for a week. Some of the different gym cultures I have seen that were not a great fit for me include: - Gyms with a focus on free weights and involve lots of grunting, chalk dust, and steroid use. - Gyms where the women wear jewelry, makeup, and the latest outfits to workout. - Gyms with a focus on children's programs. (My kids are grown) - Gyms that sign up 3 times the number of people who can reasonably use the facility. When I was over 300 pounds I found a gym that I liked. It was affiliated with a local hospital, the staff all had college degrees in some exercise area, and it shared the space with a cardiac rehab unit. There were people of all sizes, ages, and levels of physical fitness. After my sleeve surgery I participated in a 60 day medical integration program where they set up a program for me and tracked progress along the way. As my fitness progressed I left the hospital affiliated gym and joined a gym that had programs and facilities that I would use. It has a large pool for swimming, tons of cardio equipment, and I have been participating in small trainer led fitness classes. Its pretty expensive, but I go 6 to 7 times per week and at least for now it is working for me.

I haven't had whiskey since being sleeved, but my experience with vodka and rum is similar to yours. The quick initial buzz and then fading after about 45 minutes. I now mostly drink red wine which agrees with my stomach and doesn't take me on the rollercoaster ride.

I am relatively new to formalized training and my niece (a college athlete) has been helping me. My medium term goals are to reduce body fat % and lose about 25 pounds. She convinced me to get an "Active Metabolic Assessment" where you get on a piece of cardio equipment and they measure "key cardiovascular training markers" used to develop a customized training plan. I wear a heart rate monitor during group training and get a report of my heart rate after each class. Based upon the assessment, five heart rate zones were determined ranging from low (weight loss - green) to very high (aerobic - red). The instructor monitors everyone's heart rates during the session and asks us to increase or decrease intensity based upon the goal of the class (i.e. weight loss, etc.). I am about a month into this training and am still skeptical. The plan is to keep it up for another two months and then retest for VO2 and body fat. Hoping for the best and hoping I am burning fat and just not money.

I can no longer tolerate carbonated beverages (beer, soda, etc.) after my sleeve surgery. I can tolerate most foods - in moderation.

Done. Good luck!

One of my primary goals for having the sleeve surgery was to resolve my sleep apnea and no longer need my Bi-Pap machine. My sleep doctor said that because I had severe sleep apnea (AHI of 125), it was possible that surgery might not completely cure my sleep apnea. Apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) ■ Number of apneas and/or hypopneas per hour of sleep (or study time) ■ Re ects the severity of sleep apnea AHI = 0–5 Normal range AHI = 5–15 Mild sleep apnea AHI = 15–30 Moderate sleep apnea AHI > 30 Severe sleep apnea My surgery was Sept 1st and I participated in the sleep study on Dec 30th. My weights have been: - 327 Highest Weight - 314 Weight I Started the WLS Process - 290 Surgery Weight (9/1) - 235 Sleep Study Weight (12/30) - 226 Current Weight The result of the sleep study was an AHI of 17, which puts me in the moderate sleep apnea category. This was a significant reduction from my prior AHI of 125, but unfortunately I still need to use the Bi-Pap machine. The doctor said that if I could get down to a weight of around 200 by June 2016, he would order another sleep study and hopefully the results would be an AHI of 5 or less (the score I need to get off the Bi-Pap machine). So now my goal is to lose another 26 pounds or so by June to hit my new goal of 200 pounds. Weight loss has slowed recently, but I am confident that I will be able to hit this new goal by June.

With some recent knee problems (osteoarthritis) I have been advised to add swimming to my exercise routine to replace the elliptical machine and treadmill. I finally got in the pool today and swam some laps. There were no issues with my knee while swimming - Yaaah! It's been a while since I swam for exercise and I need some advice on how to add swimming to my routine. For example: - Can I swim after lifting weights? - Should I swim before lifting weights? - Should I swim only on days when I am not lifting weights? - On days when I swim should that be the only exercise of the day (i.e. not added to other cardio like rowing)? - In the pool I noticed people holding onto styrofoam floats just kicking and not using their arms. What's going on with this? - In the pool I also saw an older gentleman walking for about half a lap and then swim for the rest of the lap. This may be my speed these days. Has anyone ever tried this and what are the advantages of this technique? Sorry for all the questions, but I really am clueless about swimming.

Swimming seems to be a good replacement for the treadmill and elliptical machines that I need to stay away from. Today I used a kick board with swim fins for some variety. Hopefully I can make swimming a regular habit.

I never learned to do the fly. I do get your point about mixing things up a bit to avoid overworking body parts. I am still at the early stage of including swimming as part of exercising and will figure out what works best for me.

The skinny buffalo chicken dip would be a good choice on a cold Winter day. I can prepare this in advance and then reheat it. Thanks for the suggestion! I found the full recipe and it will be easy to prepare.

I need to bring a dish to a winter campfire cookout event at a local Winery. Other people are already bringing chili, can anyone suggest something that I can cook ahead of time and then reheat on the campfire (i.e. gas grill) at the Winery? I was thinking about something like shredded chicken, but would love to hear other suggestions.

I googled the pool toy I saw and it is called a KIEFER SWIM AND THERAPY PLATFORMI'm still not sure how it works. You have been very helpful so far. I can't do fly and don't want to do back. I can do breast and freestyle with my head in the Water. My preference is for warm salt water and white sandy beaches (heading to the Dominican Republic in February), but I will give chlorine pools a try.

I am not a strong swimmer. As a child I took red cross swimming classes, classes at the local Y, and classes at the swim club in the Summer. However, now at 58 y.o. I have some knee and foot issues that will keep me from participating in triathlons. My hope is that swimming along with physical therapy will help my knee and keep me from needing surgery. My gym does have a whole assortment of pool toys. I may try the kick board the next time I am in the pool. They have a pool toy made out of white PVC pipe and I have no clue what to do with it. I may sign up for an aquatics class to get better acquainted with the pool. I appreciate you sharing your swimming knowledge.

I have been working with trainers for the past several months and we have used both dumb bells and kettle bells. Both can be used for weighted squats focused on your legs. Kettle bell swings focus mainly on your core, but can work your arms if you extend your swing to lift the kettle bell over your head. Most of the exercises involving dumb bells focus on the arms and chest. If you are just starting out and interested in working your upper arms, I would buy the dumb bells first.

You are right about putting our limbs under strain. I had some pain in my right knee walking up stairs yesterday after the gym and just remembered I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my right knee about 5 years ago. I have had no issues (until now) after completing physical therapy back then. I called my insurance company's 24 hour nurse hotline and the nurse suggested starting with my PCP to rule out other issues and to discontinue use of treadmills and elliptical machines in the meantime. I was hoping to take a break from doctors in 2016, but I guess that is not going to be possible.

Hopefully you will find the support group meeting helpful. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions.

My vitamin levels were just checked a few weeks ago and my surgeon said everything looked good. I always bring my Water bottle to the gym and drink about 32 oz while I am there. Its really odd because nothing hurts when this happens, my legs just give out. I sat down for a few minutes to rest and my legs started working again. I even finished the rest of the fitness class (rowing machine and stretching).

I couldn't agree more. I have absolutely no idea what is causing this problem and will make an appointment with my PCP who has been very helpful with other issues. In the meantime I will limit my use of the elliptical machines and hit the pool instead. Thanks!

You may want to consider going to WLS support meetings if they are offered in your area, or by your hospital. I attended some of these meetings when I was pre-op and found them to be very helpful. I am located in South Jersey (Moorestown), what part of NJ are you from?

After Sleeve surgery my doctor told me not to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for a month. However, for the 1st month I could do cardio that did not involve my core (walking and stationary bike). After the 1st month I was told I could begin lifting moderate weights and add cardio involving the core like elliptical machines and rowers. After the 2nd month I was cleared for swimming and all types of exercise in moderation. I am just over 4 months out from surgery and have avoided any injuries, even with daily exercise. My only exercise limitations at this point are related to some foot issues that are unrelated to the sleeve surgery.