HashiHope121

These are all amazing responses! I strongly second doing something you love- I’ve never enjoyed the gym but I love my yoga studio & the community there. I also love walks in my neighborhood and skiing. The best tip I ever heard was go for 10min, if you still don’t want to work out after 10m then you are free to go home. But 99% of the time you are going to want to continue.

These are all amazing responses! I strongly second doing something you love- I’ve never enjoyed the gym but I love my yoga studio & the community there. I also love walks in my neighborhood and skiing. The best tip I ever heard was go for 10min, if you still don’t want to work out after 10m then you are free to go home. But 99% of the time you are going to want to continue.

These are all amazing responses! I strongly second doing something you love- I’ve never enjoyed the gym but I love my yoga studio & the community there. I also love walks in my neighborhood and skiing. The best tip I ever heard was go for 10min, if you still don’t want to work out after 10m then you are free to go home. But 99% of the time you are going to want to continue.

These are all amazing responses! I strongly second doing something you love- I’ve never enjoyed the gym but I love my yoga studio & the community there. I also love walks in my neighborhood and skiing. The best tip I ever heard was go for 10min, if you still don’t want to work out after 10m then you are free to go home. But 99% of the time you are going to want to continue.

First of all, you are not lazy! Humans are literally genetically programmed to save energy whenever possible. You have to keep in mind that historically it took a lot of physical energy to procure food, so by default humans looked for ways to conserve energy as a survival mechanism. It's not a natural thing for actually look for ways to expend energy (a.k.a. workout). This only became common very recently in human history when food was no longer scarce and we didn't have to spend our days actively looking for or working for food.
My point is that your body is doing exactly what it was programmed to do.
So I guess your next question is what to do about this and why are some people more successful at overcoming this genetic programming? My belief is that you have to find a "why" beyond something vague like "I know I'm supposed to workout". For most people that are very active, they have found something that motivates them to overcome the inherent desire to conserve energy. If the motivator is stronger than the genetic programming, you'll be successful.
For example, for me as an older person, dying an early death is, or at least was, a strong motivator to start being more active. As I progressed down that road, I've found that I actually enjoy some things that I never expected to like the "feeling" of being fit. Even at 60, I feel so much more capable and strong than I ever did when I was younger. That feeling is now an extremely powerful motivator for me to continue to improve physically.
For you, the thing that might trigger the desire to be more active might be completely different. Only you can determine what that is. Who knows, it might be something simple like proving others wrong, or maybe because you want to look better naked! Shoot, it could even be to make sex more enjoyable!
Searching out your why and making sure you really understand that first is really the most important step.
Once that's locked in, then you can start eliminating barriers or stumbling blocks that prevent you from activity. For example, finding activities that bring you joy, adding your chosen activities to your schedule and setting out your workout clothes ahead of time can all really help.
Best of luck.

I’ve tried various things through the 5 years since my surgery. Regular gyms, kickboxing gyms, walking, running, yoga. What I’ve found works for me is just doing activities I enjoy. I discovered (once my butt was small enough to fit in one) that I love kayaking. And in the last year or so I’ve been getting in to cycling. I don’t walk a ton for exercise anymore, but have found I love to walk around cities I visit when traveling, and walk my dog several times a day. Once the weight came off all of these things became easier and more enjoyable.

Weight loss success is roughly 80% or more about your nutrition and 20% or less about exercise. No gym required! So if you don't like the gym or can't fit it into your schedule, really hone in on the nutrition for now and add whatever body movement you CAN manage every day. Meet yourself where you are, not where you think you should be. If you only walk 1500 steps a day, set a goal for 5,000 a day and don't expect yourself to be running a marathon next month. If you're already good about walking, kick it up by putting on some ankle and wrist weights while you do a 15 minute dance video on YouTube to get your heart rate up and build some strength. Or buy a set of resistance bands and do those a few times per week. Culturally, I think we've become convinced you have to "go to the gym" to see results, and it's really not true. And if you only have the energy to focus on one thing in these early days, start with nutrition because that's where you will see the most lasting results. You're still healing right now and your body is not ready for grueling workouts at this stage.

Starting small really helps!!! walking on your lunch break no matter how fast or slow but not stopping for a 20-30min, you build up from there, I was the same until I started seeing results then I became obsessed with the results! Then I got really into it

I think you’ll be OK. I was happy to be alone & just rest after surgery. My surgeon sent a visiting nurse a few times, which made me feel safe. I slept in my bed but with some body pillows to help. I hear the medical lazy boy style chairs are awesome to sleep in & can be rented. I didn’t take the pain meds, I didn’t need them & the constipation wasn’t worth it. As for standing, I don’t think you’ll need help but, I would slide off the couch or bed and stand from my knees. You can do this, it’s not bad. The dentist is worse IMHO. Good luck!

Hey there! I started with a lower BMI and had lots of success! I am 5’ 5”, started at 209. Within 6mo I was WNL and a year later I was about 145lbs & am happily staying there.

I have actually heard that lower BMI (30-35) has more long term success with the sleeve, in part because folks at that level tend to not have as many food addiction or unhealthy habits. There are some studies going on to demonstrate the success of lower BMI folks, with the hope that eventually insurance will cover lower BMIs more often. (I just eeked in at BMI of 35 at my highest- may have purposefully gained a few to do it.)

IMHO the trick is to track what you eat and have a balanced diet (not another low carb, highly processed fad nonsense diet that’s just going to fail long term.)

So, yes! Lower BMI patients absolutely have a ton of success. And potentially have greater long term success. So go for it! You will do great.

Hey there! I started with a lower BMI and had lots of success! I am 5’ 5”, started at 209. Within 6mo I was WNL and a year later I was about 145lbs & am happily staying there.

I have actually heard that lower BMI (30-35) has more long term success with the sleeve, in part because folks at that level tend to not have as many food addiction or unhealthy habits. There are some studies going on to demonstrate the success of lower BMI folks, with the hope that eventually insurance will cover lower BMIs more often. (I just eeked in at BMI of 35 at my highest- may have purposefully gained a few to do it.)

IMHO the trick is to track what you eat and have a balanced diet (not another low carb, highly processed fad nonsense diet that’s just going to fail long term.)

So, yes! Lower BMI patients absolutely have a ton of success. And potentially have greater long term success. So go for it! You will do great.

Yep! No problem, I would have been bored otherwise. I was actually on an important project with HQ at the time and I don’t think anyone noticed. I went back to work 2 days after surgery, working from home. It was totally fine.

My team/ Dietician is VERY balanced. Nothing is off limits. They only stress to hit your protein and fluid goals before eating other things.
Some days I eat 150g carbs and some days I eat 30g carbs. Just how it works out, not with any extra efforts.

Most insurance won't pay since typically they use a BMI of 35 with comorbidities, or 40 with no comorbidities as their cut-off.
If you're self pay, there should be more options open to you. I do think a lot of those tend to use a BMI of 30 as their cut off, but I'm no expert there. Your best option might be to talk to a few different clinics about what they can do for you.

Hey there! I started with a lower BMI and had lots of success! I am 5’ 5”, started at 209. Within 6mo I was WNL and a year later I was about 145lbs & am happily staying there.

I have actually heard that lower BMI (30-35) has more long term success with the sleeve, in part because folks at that level tend to not have as many food addiction or unhealthy habits. There are some studies going on to demonstrate the success of lower BMI folks, with the hope that eventually insurance will cover lower BMIs more often. (I just eeked in at BMI of 35 at my highest- may have purposefully gained a few to do it.)

IMHO the trick is to track what you eat and have a balanced diet (not another low carb, highly processed fad nonsense diet that’s just going to fail long term.)

So, yes! Lower BMI patients absolutely have a ton of success. And potentially have greater long term success. So go for it! You will do great.

Hey there! I started with a lower BMI and had lots of success! I am 5’ 5”, started at 209. Within 6mo I was WNL and a year later I was about 145lbs & am happily staying there.

I have actually heard that lower BMI (30-35) has more long term success with the sleeve, in part because folks at that level tend to not have as many food addiction or unhealthy habits. There are some studies going on to demonstrate the success of lower BMI folks, with the hope that eventually insurance will cover lower BMIs more often. (I just eeked in at BMI of 35 at my highest- may have purposefully gained a few to do it.)

IMHO the trick is to track what you eat and have a balanced diet (not another low carb, highly processed fad nonsense diet that’s just going to fail long term.)

So, yes! Lower BMI patients absolutely have a ton of success. And potentially have greater long term success. So go for it! You will do great.

Like some of you I was lower BMI. I was healthy but I had struggled for 10 years, my deciding point was when I realized that I didn’t want to suffer for another 10 years and then get the surgery. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself & recommend it to anyone struggling. Good luck!

Hey there! I started with a lower BMI and had lots of success! I am 5’ 5”, started at 209. Within 6mo I was WNL and a year later I was about 145lbs & am happily staying there.

I have actually heard that lower BMI (30-35) has more long term success with the sleeve, in part because folks at that level tend to not have as many food addiction or unhealthy habits. There are some studies going on to demonstrate the success of lower BMI folks, with the hope that eventually insurance will cover lower BMIs more often. (I just eeked in at BMI of 35 at my highest- may have purposefully gained a few to do it.)

IMHO the trick is to track what you eat and have a balanced diet (not another low carb, highly processed fad nonsense diet that’s just going to fail long term.)

So, yes! Lower BMI patients absolutely have a ton of success. And potentially have greater long term success. So go for it! You will do great.

Yep! No problem, I would have been bored otherwise. I was actually on an important project with HQ at the time and I don’t think anyone noticed. I went back to work 2 days after surgery, working from home. It was totally fine.

Like some of you I was lower BMI. I was healthy but I had struggled for 10 years, my deciding point was when I realized that I didn’t want to suffer for another 10 years and then get the surgery. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself & recommend it to anyone struggling. Good luck!

Yep! No problem, I would have been bored otherwise. I was actually on an important project with HQ at the time and I don’t think anyone noticed. I went back to work 2 days after surgery, working from home. It was totally fine.

It’s all about what you eat that will determine if you can feel your restriction. If you eat slider foods - then you can definitely over eat.
if you eat Chicken - I guarantee you can’t over eat. I’m 15 months p.o. and the restriction is definitely still there. I always focus on protein first.

You should call your insurance company and get clarification on what the requirements are. My insurance was 35 with at least one co-morbidity (I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in my pre op sleep study) or over 40 w/o any co-morbidities. At time of surgery my BMI was 41. A agree with a previous poster...check your height. I had always been 5-'5'" but turns out I was 5'-3.5". Since everything was virtual until time of surgery I just rounded down to 5'-3".

Hi Bluemoon, no I don’t mind saying. It was $25K at Cleveland Clinic (CC), including all the pre- and post-op nutrition, psych, etc. appointments. I could have found a cheaper place, I know, but I had had a heart valve replaced at CC two years earlier, and just felt comfortable there. I had initially gone to CC looking to get a gastric balloon, but the surgeon said they didn’t do those any more there. He recommended a sleeve or bypass (I hadn’t realized that was an option, even as self-pay), and the rest is history. Worth it? Absolutely! Wish I’d done it years earlier!

Hey there! I started with a lower BMI and had lots of success! I am 5’ 5”, started at 209. Within 6mo I was WNL and a year later I was about 145lbs & am happily staying there.

I have actually heard that lower BMI (30-35) has more long term success with the sleeve, in part because folks at that level tend to not have as many food addiction or unhealthy habits. There are some studies going on to demonstrate the success of lower BMI folks, with the hope that eventually insurance will cover lower BMIs more often. (I just eeked in at BMI of 35 at my highest- may have purposefully gained a few to do it.)

IMHO the trick is to track what you eat and have a balanced diet (not another low carb, highly processed fad nonsense diet that’s just going to fail long term.)

So, yes! Lower BMI patients absolutely have a ton of success. And potentially have greater long term success. So go for it! You will do great.