MaineDoc

First off, your personal experience is incredibly inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing the specifics of your exercise routine. What you describe is essentially where I'm at now, pre-surgery. I don't necessarily do the same exact types of activities, but I'd say overall my activity level is similar and I just want to maintain it. Knowing that you feel that you're able to keep up with this and have found a way to make it work in terms of getting adequate nutrition is really reassuring. Also, I like that you use the WFPB diet--I haven't actually heard that term before, but I don't eat meat (save for very occasional fish) and so my protein sources now consist primarily of beans, nuts, and soy products. Also, I feel similarly to you about the yo yo-ing. I'm just getting tired of it. I've probably gained and lost at least 500 lbs in my lifetime and I'm just tired of going back and forth. I guess my mentality has been that the surgery is my ace in the hole and will help finally push me over the top to help me maintain/lock-in the changes that I've made. I haven't disclosed my decision to pursue surgery with anyone other than my significant other. She has had some trepidation about it and just says, in so many words, "you obviously can lose the weight, you just have to maintain the changes that you make long-term so that you don't regain the weight." Over the years, I've said to her "that's the whole point! that's why this is so hard for me." And turning to this forum and answers like yours I think has been illuminating for both of us. She is now on board for me going forward with this, which is great. Anyway, sorry for the long somewhat rambling stream of consciousness reply--I'm just grateful for your insights!

Hi all, I have been participating in a medically supervised weight loss program for the past 5 months and I've nearly completed all the pre-op requirements to qualify for bariatric surgery. I've been really lucky and have already officially lost about 50 lbs (at my last weigh in a few weeks ago, it's probably closer to 60 now). My BMI is now probably 31ish. I have adhered to their guidance fastidiously and have made major changes to how and what I eat. I've learned a lot from these boards and I'm leaning towards going the surgery route. Far and away, my primary concern is my ability to be physically active short- and long-term after the surgery. Exercise is extremely important to me and has been for most of my life. Even at my heaviest and unhealthiest, I've still maintained some degree of regular physical activity. And for a lot of the time, I've been able to engage in quite vigorous exercise regimens (running half marathons, weight lifting, vigorous cardio 5-6 times per week). My weight gain has been almost entirely due to poor eating habits as opposed to anything else. Given the considerable calorie restriction post-op, should I expect to have enough energy to exercise vigorously? I understand if it may take some time after surgery to build up my conditioning to where it's at now given that I'll have to take time off and given how little I'll be eating, but say a couple months after should I expect that I'll have enough energy to work out intensely? My other question is how useful/effective is bariatric surgery for those who have been able to lose (considerable) weight historically, but haven't been able to keep it off. As part of doing my homework in preparing for the surgery, I actually obtained all of my medical records for the past 10 years. I charted my BMIs and weights (attached here). It was really eye opening for me to see the true "yo yo" that I've lived. I've definitely been able to have success losing weight, the issue always has been maintaining whatever changes I've made to keep it off. From what I can tell, the surgery seems immensely helpful for initial weight loss but it isn't as clear to me from what I've seen how helpful it is for those who've lost weight as part of the medical supervised plan (and who've been able to lose it historically) to help keep that weight off. I greatly appreciate any insight, advice, or guidance you can offer. Thank you!

Hi all As you can see, I am a brand new user on this forum. However I have been lurking for awhile. I want to use my first post to share how grateful I am for your candidness and how truly impressed I am with your courage sharing intimate details of your personal journeys. I have learned so much from you all, not just about the basics of WLS etc, but about inspiration, motivation, determination, and compassion towards ourselves and others. If ever I’ve needed a pick me up or some words of encouragement, I have found it here. Thank you all and I look forward to becoming an active member of this community!