loridee11

Hi Tek,
The hike itself was pretty amazing. I did an 8 day Lemosha route - the longer route allowed for greater acclimatization to the altitude which caps out around 19,500 ft on Summit day. Most days we hiked between 5-8 miles with lots of elevation gain --- hike high and sleep low. You pass through 5 different climate zones, from cloud forest to artic, so each day looked a little different. You are camping, so tent sleeping in mummy bags the whole trip which was it's own challenge.
Summit day was definitely the hardest. They like to have you hike it at night, so they woke us up at midnight to eat a little something (you are already at 15,500 ft so not much of an appetite) then start hike around 1:30 am. It's cold --- I think when we went it was around 15 F and windy as you get higher. It's only a little over 3 miles, but due to the steep climb and elevation, we didn't reach the summit until around 8 AM and we were a pretty fast group. The sunrise on the mountain was just beautiful (see pic). Once you reach summit you stay just long enough to get pics, then they hurry you as they don't want you at that elevation for too long. The climb down was really hard --- you are already tired and it's steep and hard on the joints even with hiking poles. Once you hit base camp, you rest then hike down further. I think we did another 6 miles and stayed at high camp that day. Last day was about 7 miles down which was again pretty hard on the joints, but at that point you just want a shower and a bed so it's not too hard to push yourself.
I was fortunate to be able to stay in Tanzania and do some safari's and go to Zanzibar to relax on the beach for a few days before coming home. Definitely a once in a lifetime trip.
In terms of training, I did lots of local hikes, but I'm in Northern California so while I could do distance (10+ miles) elevation was hard. So in addition I joined a gym about 4 months before the hike and started taking weight training type classes and yoga classes to build strength and stamina. Then after the hour class I would do an hour on the treadmill at a 12-15 incline. I feel like I was in pretty solid shape for the hike.

I had RNY on 12/31/2019. Since then I've lost over half my body weight. I've focused on exercise and building strength and stamina. And in June, I went to Tanzania where I successfully summited Kilimanjaro on June 24th. I truly believe the surgery made this possible. I just wanted to share with others who may understand.
Next up is plastics and then I need to figure out my next big challenge. Any suggestions?
Lori

I had RNY on 12/31/2019. Since then I've lost over half my body weight. I've focused on exercise and building strength and stamina. And in June, I went to Tanzania where I successfully summited Kilimanjaro on June 24th. I truly believe the surgery made this possible. I just wanted to share with others who may understand.
Next up is plastics and then I need to figure out my next big challenge. Any suggestions?
Lori

I had RNY on 12/31/2019. Since then I've lost over half my body weight. I've focused on exercise and building strength and stamina. And in June, I went to Tanzania where I successfully summited Kilimanjaro on June 24th. I truly believe the surgery made this possible. I just wanted to share with others who may understand.
Next up is plastics and then I need to figure out my next big challenge. Any suggestions?
Lori

I had RNY on 12/31/2019. Since then I've lost over half my body weight. I've focused on exercise and building strength and stamina. And in June, I went to Tanzania where I successfully summited Kilimanjaro on June 24th. I truly believe the surgery made this possible. I just wanted to share with others who may understand.
Next up is plastics and then I need to figure out my next big challenge. Any suggestions?
Lori

I had RNY on 12/31/2019. Since then I've lost over half my body weight. I've focused on exercise and building strength and stamina. And in June, I went to Tanzania where I successfully summited Kilimanjaro on June 24th. I truly believe the surgery made this possible. I just wanted to share with others who may understand.
Next up is plastics and then I need to figure out my next big challenge. Any suggestions?
Lori

I had RNY on 12/31/2019. Since then I've lost over half my body weight. I've focused on exercise and building strength and stamina. And in June, I went to Tanzania where I successfully summited Kilimanjaro on June 24th. I truly believe the surgery made this possible. I just wanted to share with others who may understand.
Next up is plastics and then I need to figure out my next big challenge. Any suggestions?
Lori

I had RNY on 12/31/2019. Since then I've lost over half my body weight. I've focused on exercise and building strength and stamina. And in June, I went to Tanzania where I successfully summited Kilimanjaro on June 24th. I truly believe the surgery made this possible. I just wanted to share with others who may understand.
Next up is plastics and then I need to figure out my next big challenge. Any suggestions?
Lori

I had RNY on 12/31/2019. Since then I've lost over half my body weight. I've focused on exercise and building strength and stamina. And in June, I went to Tanzania where I successfully summited Kilimanjaro on June 24th. I truly believe the surgery made this possible. I just wanted to share with others who may understand.
Next up is plastics and then I need to figure out my next big challenge. Any suggestions?
Lori

I had RNY on 12/31/2019. Since then I've lost over half my body weight. I've focused on exercise and building strength and stamina. And in June, I went to Tanzania where I successfully summited Kilimanjaro on June 24th. I truly believe the surgery made this possible. I just wanted to share with others who may understand.
Next up is plastics and then I need to figure out my next big challenge. Any suggestions?
Lori

I had RNY on 12/31/2019. Since then I've lost over half my body weight. I've focused on exercise and building strength and stamina. And in June, I went to Tanzania where I successfully summited Kilimanjaro on June 24th. I truly believe the surgery made this possible. I just wanted to share with others who may understand.
Next up is plastics and then I need to figure out my next big challenge. Any suggestions?
Lori

I had RNY on 12/31/2019. Since then I've lost over half my body weight. I've focused on exercise and building strength and stamina. And in June, I went to Tanzania where I successfully summited Kilimanjaro on June 24th. I truly believe the surgery made this possible. I just wanted to share with others who may understand.
Next up is plastics and then I need to figure out my next big challenge. Any suggestions?
Lori

Collarbones --- I really love my collarbones now. Such a wierd thing to notice, but I didn't have them/they weren't visible for so long.

Thank you so much for all the great advice! I live alone so I am worried about trying to do much. I'm trying to find someone to stay for the first couple days, and my plan is to have at least a week worth of meals cooked and in the fridge. I'll also have someone come in to walk the dog for the first week or two (fortunately I have a backyard so it's just for exercise). I will move a small step stool into the kitchen and invest in a shower stool ( and probably use dry Shampoo for the first couple of days at least).
And yes, I'll share pictures when I get closer

Thank you so much for all the great advice! I live alone so I am worried about trying to do much. I'm trying to find someone to stay for the first couple days, and my plan is to have at least a week worth of meals cooked and in the fridge. I'll also have someone come in to walk the dog for the first week or two (fortunately I have a backyard so it's just for exercise). I will move a small step stool into the kitchen and invest in a shower stool ( and probably use dry Shampoo for the first couple of days at least).
And yes, I'll share pictures when I get closer

I am getting a fleur de lis Tummy Tuck, arm lift, and breast lift (no augmentation). Paying 24k out of pocket in Portland, Oregon. I’ll update as I get closer to the day of surgery!

This was my favorite arm compression garment. So comfy! I started with a medium, but as swelling went down ended up ordering a small.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07B59QGY3?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Well, I've officially scheduled an extended arm lift as well as breast lift with replacement of my implants (going down from DD to C) at the end of July. This is likely step 1 as at some point I think I'll want a Tummy Tuck and maybe thigh lift, but my arms bug me the most, and my chest just feels out of sync with the rest of my body now that I'm down (not to mention they have a TON of extra skin).
Very excited but also very nervous!
For those that had these surgeries, recommendations? I know I'll need a couple good garments that cover me from elbow to waist but open to additional feedback too!
Lori

Collarbones --- I really love my collarbones now. Such a wierd thing to notice, but I didn't have them/they weren't visible for so long.

One thing I try to be really conscious of is avoiding "dieting". I believe fad diets, eating too little, etc... can destroy your metabolism and I think that was part of my problem pre-surgery. Years of yo-yo diets meant my metabolism (aka Calories Out) was destroyed. I am really trying to not do that this time around. I did have a little weight gain over the holidays and am trying to eat around 1700 a day with working out and the little I gained is slowly coming off in what I hope is a healthy way.

Collarbones --- I really love my collarbones now. Such a wierd thing to notice, but I didn't have them/they weren't visible for so long.

One thing I try to be really conscious of is avoiding "dieting". I believe fad diets, eating too little, etc... can destroy your metabolism and I think that was part of my problem pre-surgery. Years of yo-yo diets meant my metabolism (aka Calories Out) was destroyed. I am really trying to not do that this time around. I did have a little weight gain over the holidays and am trying to eat around 1700 a day with working out and the little I gained is slowly coming off in what I hope is a healthy way.

Hi whispers, I lost most of my weight with band (333 to 183) but then I gained it all back. When I started my weight loss pre- RNY I was back at 333. I'm now down around 160 and I lost it over a little over a year.
What made bypass better for me: food doesn't get stuck. I don't throw up. I don't have acid reflux (well, much. I'm one of the unfortunate ones that still has some). At 2+ years out I eat a "normal" amount --- normal for normal weight people, not my pre-surgery normal. That can be good or bad as if I eat the wrong things I will get too many calories. But it is better than with band. With band, if I was retaining Water, or on my period I may only be able to eat a bite or two some days. Other days it felt like I could eat anything.
For what it's worth, I also really embraced exercise and walk almost every day, hike multiple days a week, and hit the gym a few times a week now that they are open again.

Hi All,
I know oral NSAIDS are not permitted. Does anyone know about Topical NSAID? I injured my back yesterday and the Urgent Care doc prescribed one and I can't find a clear answer online. I'll check with my surgeons office tomorrow but would like to use it today.
thanks for sharing!
Lori

Thanks all! I used the topical NSAID for a week and it greatly helped with my back pain. I am slowly nursing my back back to health. First week I walked (first couple days I couldn't even go 1/2 a mile, but eventually got back up to my regular 2). This week, I have been swimming and also using the stair machine/treadmill on an incline (training for Kilimanjaro). Next week I'm going to attempt some yoga again and hope by end of week 3 I'll be back to full strength and can add some weights back in.
It's odd for me to say, but 2+ years out from surgery, I am itching to get back to working out. Pre-surgery the back injury would be an excuse to stop working out and just eat too much. Still not perfect, but its amazing to come so far in both physical and mental ways.