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Has Anyone Prepped For Sleeve By Exercising Months Pre-Op?



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The whole people not exercising pre and/or post surgery drives me nuts.

Spending time obsessing about post-surgery complications and weight loss, yet not fighting half the battle...the vast majority of us can get in decent shape and walk 30 minutes 5-6 days a week in the few months before surgery. Best preventative and proactive measure you can take.

Now that I'm on my own journey, I also think a lot about "skinny fat people": people who are thinner, yet are out of shape and/or look like crap because they have no muscle or tone. Not gonna be me.

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Good luck with that. Life isn't fair. Maybe if it was, even you wouldn't need WLS!

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So...how many different diets, exercise programs, diet pills, hypnosis, etc. etc. etc. has everyone tried?

So...which ones worked? Helped us take off, and keep off the pounds?

So...what caused obesity for you? I know for me there has been a few things - a strong family trait, combined with low metabolism, throw in some emotional eating, add asthma, let it sit...ferment with some depression fueled by unsuccessful wt. loss attempts and there you have it - tadaa! A moderately obese 46 year old RN, mother of 2. Oh, did I mention - my skinny husband and daughter eat probably twice as much as I do? I probably forgot, too, that I go to the gym 3-6 times a week , and although my asthma keeps me from doing as much or as brisk a cardio workout as my daughter who plays volleyball and is on the track team (I can probably spend no more than an hour on the elliptical)' I can still lift and press more than her (as well as at least half the teenage boys that come?)

I think what I am getting at is this - just as there is more than 1 simple explanation for why we are obese ( for everyone it is usually the result of many factors,put together) so too is there more than 1 treatment for it, and anyone who thinks they can go and have surgery and voila, their problems are over, are in for a real and sad surprise. You will see it said all over this blog, and in any credible literature on the subject - the sleeve is a TOOL for weight loss, a powerful one if used correctly, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. It will help us control portions, but we still have to make the right choices in what we eat to stay healthy. So too we must exercise - exercise keeps the body running. Would u let a car sit for 2 years and expect it to run properly? No, and neither would it look good!

I will not be having surgery until January due to staffing issues at work, so I am looking at this as a gift - a chance to get in the best possible shape before my surgery, so I can hopefully recover quickly , and get on with my life.

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I agree wholeheartedly! I joined a gym n got a personal trainer in March to prepare for Friday's surgery. I do believe it will all pay off. I have a routine that I am going to miss for the next 4 weeks and the coming back part is what scares me!

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Just my opinion, but I strongly believe that if you start exercising pre-op, it will make for an easier post-op recovery. You need to be up and walking hours after your surgery and then as part if your daily routine going forward. I didn't want my body to get its first dose of exercise fresh out of surgery or when my only nutrition was coming from Clear liquids etc. I truly believe this played a big part in my super easy recovery.

Sent from my mobile productivity killer.

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So...how many different diets' date=' exercise programs, diet pills, hypnosis, etc. etc. etc. has everyone tried?

So...which ones worked? Helped us take off, and keep off the pounds?

So...what caused obesity for you? I know for me there has been a few things - a strong family trait, combined with low metabolism, throw in some emotional eating, add asthma, let it sit...ferment with some depression fueled by unsuccessful wt. loss attempts and there you have it - tadaa! A moderately obese 46 year old RN, mother of 2. Oh, did I mention - my skinny husband and daughter eat probably twice as much as I do? I probably forgot, too, that I go to the gym 3-6 times a week , and although my asthma keeps me from doing as much or as brisk a cardio workout as my daughter who plays volleyball and is on the track team (I can probably spend no more than an hour on the elliptical)' I can still lift and press more than her (as well as at least half the teenage boys that come?)

I think what I am getting at is this - just as there is more than 1 simple explanation for why we are obese ( for everyone it is usually the result of many factors,put together) so too is there more than 1 treatment for it, and anyone who thinks they can go and have surgery and voila, their problems are over, are in for a real and sad surprise. You will see it said all over this blog, and in any credible literature on the subject - the sleeve is a TOOL for weight loss, a powerful one if used correctly, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. It will help us control portions, but we still have to make the right choices in what we eat to stay healthy. So too we must exercise - exercise keeps the body running. Would u let a car sit for 2 years and expect it to run properly? No, and neither would it look good!

I will not be having surgery until January due to staffing issues at work, so I am looking at this as a gift - a chance to get in the best possible shape before my surgery, so I can hopefully recover quickly , and get on with my life.

[/quote']

I have tried weight watchers, phen phen, Portion Control on my own, exercise on my own, gyms, workout at work, everything numerous times. I believe what worked the most was portion control and exercise. Now, it's not a matter of looking cute, it's a matter of health. I am on roughly 17 meds and it is not fun. I may not look extremely overweight but I sure feel plenty aches and pains. Diabetes alone is not fun. I want to live to see my teenagers be successful men with families. I want to have all of my body parts. I want to enjoy life again and with God by my side I will achieve my goal. I have been exercising since May. I plan to continue post op even harder. I am also dealing with issues that contributed to me gain in weight over and over. Digging deep to the core of what has been eaten at me emotionally and mentally only to destroy me physically, is not easy. God is making it possible for me to let go of my bitterness against many people who have hurt me time and time again. Our obesity is not about eating, it's much, much deeper than that. Only ignorant people see the outside. Wise people know better. Gastric sleeve is just one tool that will be given to me soon. I am blessed to have all you ladies to express myself with, which is another tool. I also have my nutrition, support, and exercise group. I have my bible study group. I have my some coworkers, some family, some friends that boost me up. Last but never least my Lord, Jesus Christ. I plan to write a book about my life. All of the ups and downs and how hard it has been to finally get to the new, improved, feeling free, feeling beautiful, feeling loved new body and soul Nancy. Stay tuned!!! :-)

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Yes, I did a lot of pre surgery working out. My surgery was last February, and I started exercising earnestly in December in hopes of getting my heart in shape and just really get a running start at this thing. I wanted to be up and around asap, and I really think it helped more than I know. I did cardio as much as I could until surgery (which wasn't much, being that I weighed 349, but i was improving every day), and that motivated me to want to do my walking after surgery was done. It's hard to get up EVERY hour and walk after you've been cut on, but it really really helps the healing.

So yes....pre surgery work out= GOOOD!!

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I had my surgery on sept 6! Prior to, my mom brought me a treadmill so I started working out before surgery... I had surgery on a Thursday and started bk walking on my treadmill the following Monday. Tomorrow will make two weeks postop. Had my first check up on Monday and down 23 lbs already! With that including the weight ii lost being on the 5 day liquid diet! Exercise is needed in this journey! Your results will be much greater and you'll feel much better!

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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