JerkyGirl

Its funny, or not but I didn't have any fold/skin rashes before surgery..but boy am I getting them now! No matter how much I shower, powder and keep dry all the extra skin on/under my pancake butt and thigh creases - ouch!! Its making walking painful. 😔
On a side note..I fit in the MRI easily now, before WLS I touched the edges.

Watching an infomercial that popped on doe an exercise machine you can do while seated. It’s called ELLIPSE. I searched Amazon and it’s like $250 BUT a couple other brands come up from $75 that look like the same concept (and a pedal one for $49). They were talking about people using it on the lower speed after knee and hip surgery so I thought of you.

I just read that climbing stairs helps develop the muscles that help with bad knees and thought of this post. May be something to look into?? I know I have seen some people at the high schools climbing the stairs to the bleachers if you don’t have any. I think I would probably run this by your dr first. This wasn’t an official source. Just thought it’s be worth asking some questions about.

I am almost 60, but I had my roux-en-y back in 2000 when I was much younger. I wish I had some wisdom for you, I'm here in search of my own.....lol

Reformer PILATES.
All the benefits of cardio and strength without the stress impact on joints. Its actually touted as great for mobility (joints, rotations, etc).
I have recently become a reformer pilates addict so i may be biased. I started about 6 or so months ago going once a week, then twice a week, and for the past month i have gone 4 or 5x per week (i bought an unlimited plan at a local studio).
i feel stronger (legs and core...my arms still need work lol), waaaaay more flexible (i was already pretty flexible, but now i could probably join a circus), and my abs are pretty frickin awesome to look at these days.
it can get expensive, but studios do offer starter packs at a heavily discounted price for first time visitors...a friend of mine just studio surfs and gets starter packs everywhere lol.
I also second swimming for low impact exercise...i used to go lane swimming much more before, but now maybe go once every couple of weeks with my Kid. while i love the actual swimming, i hate the changing/showering/etc afterwards, boo.
there is also tai chi (never tried), yoga (love!), elliptical (not my cup of tea), cycling (also not for me as it hurts my butt).
but the most important thing is to find something you actually enjoy as you will be more likely to continue doing it
Good Luck! ❤️
But seriously, try reformer pilates!!

Total Vs net carbs aren't really a thing this side of the pond. Disclaimer - I am writing this post with a glass of wine (completely useless carb) beside me, so make of it what you will.
While you're in the active phase of weight loss post op IMO you should be minimising carbs. If you're not quite full after your Protein and veg then have a little more veg. Or protein. Carbs are what make people fat - what made US fat.
There are NO essential carbs (there ARE essential amino acids - i.e. protein - AND essential fatty acids - ie fats). Nobody needs refined carbohydrate to survive. If you absolutely have to incorporate carbs into your diet while still losing then keep them healthy. Carby veg, fruit, oatmeal, wholemeal bread/crackers, wholemeal Pasta, brown rice, etc.

So many great responses.... thank you for your input!!! ❤️

I had this same question. I talked to the dietician and forgot to ask her about that too. I am contemplating the Sadi which is low carb. She told me to get 45 from starch and 45 from fruits and veggies then says 1/4 to 1/2 cup of each per meal but didn’t specify net or total carbs. I’m thinking my requirement is total carbs though because if 1/2 cup of pineapple has 15g which is a higher carb fruit so even that three times a day is only 45 total grams of carbs. If it was net carbs it would mean I should be able to have more than 1/2 cup I would think. I think where it really matters is on processed stuff. Hopefully I remember to ask the surgeon on Monday.

Thanks to all responding.... I do spread out the Calcium and I did initially ask about taking a gentler Iron because I was worried about it bothering my stomach...... then I was pointed in the direction of these multivitamins which already had iron included made specifically for bariatric patients.... I spoke to my team and they recommended a cap of Miralax daily (which has also been suggested in the forums here) so that is where I am now.... today was day 1 of doing that.... I was using Benefiber which bulks up while Miralax softens..... fingers crossed..... again thanks for the support.... ❤️

I feel so defeated.... it feels like every time I try to improve my health I make things worse. A small bit of back story first.... I had my WLS back in 2000, and was never told a lot of what they tell people now. I was simply told to take Calcium, stool softeners and a multivitamin.... not what kind or what it should include etc. I was then told years later I was anemic, but after 2 years with that (PCP) doctor she never addressed it even though I inquired. Due to an extremely large hernia and pain I was having, I went to the bariatric doctor and he said to fix the hernia I would need to lose weight. I was losing weight again (after many years) and was feeling tired all the time. I asked my team about the low iron/anemia and asked if should I address it. I was advised to take 18 mg of Iron daily so I bought the Multivitamin with it included.... I bought a year's worth.... several days in, I became painfully constipated. Nothing worked but suppositories. I also increased my Water intake and Fiber both in food and with Benefiber. I was finally able to go without extreme pain after 2 days. One day of not using the suppositories and I am right back to not able to go again. I don't know if this is something that my body just needs to adjust to or if I messed myself up with all the years of taking stool softeners (that I don't even know if I was getting benefit of because I took soft gels)... I did message my team to ask advice, but with so many here going through similar stuff I thought I'd rant here also! I hate to think I wasted over $100 on the Multivitamins that I can't take now. I'm a retired teacher with limited funds.....lol....

For some reason “Janet Witness” was so funny! Thanks for making me laugh. I’ve had luck with them too lol.

At the beginning of my fitness journey, I joined a national chain gymnasium for a little over $10 per month. It rhymes with Janet Witness, and had a variety of low impact and muscle building machines to try out. Pushing towards 300 pounds, I had to work up the courage to be there but soon found that everyone was in their own little zone, paying me no mind.
I took advantage of their membership benefit that allows one to meet with a trainer to plan a custom routine. Three years later, I am still a member of this gym and am grateful for the healthier lifestyle seeds that they helped me plant.

8 months out and 191 pounds dropped, and it is still rough. Knees still ache, I am due for both to be replaced, but I have to be under 250 pounds, which is my goal. I can say that I do move better and can walk further, pain is still there but not as bad and they recover faster. I may attempt to try some light hiking this year. Swimming for sure, stationary bike, and even the elliptical is low impact on knees.

All the above posters have shared many useful activities I have enjoyed that work. My latest has been to get a rowing machine from Amazon. There’s many kinds and price points. I picked a magnetic one so I’m quiet. I started dancing around with more upper body movements in my house during lockdowns. My son called it “flopping around “ but it worked and was a good starting point. I just did one or two songs every hour, short bursts.

I say any kind of Water exercise and also riding the exercise bike. My brother has severe knee and hip issues and wears 1 1/2 pound ankle weights all day. He doesn't specifically go on walks with them, just wears them throughout the day and not only has he lost some weight with them, he's also built up a little bit of leg muscle and his joints are slowly getting stronger. He said it doesn't take a lot of weight to do the trick, just a smaller amount of weight over a longer amount of time. He said his joints don't hurt at the end of the day, but his legs are tired and feel like they got a decent work out.

I also suggest checking out you tube - exercises for those with mobility issues. I don’t have knee issues but I have lower back problems. I do my stretches & use my resistance bands sitting or lying on the ground. (I have an inch thick foam mat to protect my bony back 😉.) Also you didn’t have to do 20 - 30 odd minute sessions. I do 4 sessions of about 5 minutes (6 days a week). And I sometimes do some extra random stretches - like calf stretches when cooking or prepping a meal. You may find these short bursts less stressful on your knees.

Aqua fit is the best fun and exercise for old knees but like you, after 10 years of doing it, my pool has closed. I cried. Now I just walk. I keep to the flatter areas. I also find shopping in the city is quite good because I walk miles, in and out of stores and all around the markets. I buy very little but enjoy the browse.

I don't have great knees and had to do PT for a very messed up knee. They always had me on the bike for a warmup.
I bought one for about $150 that folds so it doesn't take up too much space and you can adjust the tension and go at your own pace. Easy to just set up in front of the TV or throw on some music.
YouTube also offers some free chair exercises while you are waiting on the DVD versions. There are tons actually. Chair yoga etc for all activity levels. Also if you can manage, there are low impact walking type workouts that usually don't involve much in the way of bending.

I, too, take Water fitness classes. Anything in the water is easy on the joints.

I have bad knees, no cartilage in either, which I have been told will need to be replaced in the years to come.
I see you don't have a pool close by that is not cheap but I do aqua aerobics once a week and feel the benefit of it so if you could even afford a class once a week it might do you the world of good. I am lucky that my hospital run the class so I just have to pay about €100 by way of membership for the year and the classes are 50 weeks of the year.
I also have an exercise bike that I go would go slowly on for about 20 minutes three times a week. Now that I have lost more weight and the weather is improving I find I can do short walks of about 20 minutes/1.5km. My knees do ache afterwards at night but not as bad as before when I was heavier so I feel it is worth it, put a bit of gel on them and it helps me sleep easier.
I now also do the Svelte 'One and Done' exercise program, just the beginner level, three days a week. There are some exercises I can't do as they require knee movements I can't do but from what I have seen so far there is always an alternative exercise shown if movement is not possible. You could always check out their YouTube site as they have plenty of exercises that you don't have to pay for. Even though my weight loss has slowed down I can see where I am still losing cm's.

As I read through your comments I am wondering if my weak hands are also from the surgery. I always thought it was carpal tunnel and old age (almost 60). I just keep on learning as I read posts.... 🤯

I taught Kindergarten for 23 years, first for 5 years & also technology for 5 years.... a total of 33 years. But in this order.... 1st/K/1st/TRT/K

Hello! My name is Christine. I am 23 years post-op and due to how long ago I had my surgery and all they have learned since.... there is so much I need to learn. I have to keep telling my doctors "I wasn't told that..." I am now in the process of losing weight to repair hernias from my initial full cut surgery. I had a Gastric Bypass/Roux en y, back in 2000 (before so much was known and so many products were available). I thought I was ready with the proper mindset to have the surgery and be successful. I lost 95 lbs., but hit a plateau and became very discouraged. Over the years I put the weight back on plus some. I am now retired and realizing I need to get this weight off, not only to fix the hernias but to improve my quality of life in my "Golden Years".

Thanks! I am hoping it works... my whole abdominal wall is atrophied and my "guts" just hanging out (but still inside) so my belly is lopsided. It will be nice to have my insides back inside again...lol....

As I read through your comments I am wondering if my weak hands are also from the surgery. I always thought it was carpal tunnel and old age (almost 60). I just keep on learning as I read posts.... 🤯