I really believe that exercise is going to be a key component of my weight loss when I have my gastric sleeve surgery in September. I know that walking and moving about is encouraged immediately after surgery to help with the healing process. But longer term, are there any impediments to more vigorous exercise? What about weight lifting? I'm wondering if anyone not only lost weight, but got into awesome shape.

Generally your surgeon will advise you wait 4 to 6 weeks before you lift weights. After that you are free to lift heavy, do vigorous cardio, etc. Plenty of people run post sleeve, or take high intensitity classes like cross fit or do high impact aerobics if they choose! I'm still working on the awesome shape part, but I go to the gym 4 days a week and generally squeeze in almost 2 hours there - close to an hour of cardio and 45 or so minutes of weights. I think eventually I will be doing more weights and less cardio as I get further along - I'm only two months out!

That's great! I see that you have already lost 71 lbs. Great job! I'm still a couple of months away from my surgery date but I'm trying to do things now to prepare myself. I'm trying to eat better and get back into the gym. I'm very excited about the prospect of losing the weight.

I lost some of that pre-op. I've lost 40.5 lbs since the surgery two months ago. So that is 20 lbs a month average. It's good to make changes pre-op. That way you get used to doing things differently. Just make small changes. Don't try to go all "whole foods veggies are awesome!!!" and burn yourself out. Just get rid of pop. Swap out ice cream for sugar free popcicles. Start going to a gym and get used to it (okay lets be honest I don't know if I will ever be 100% used to it but I can go to the gym and use the weights and not be all freaked out by the muscley dudebros). And log your food. There is nothing quite as eye opening as seeing that you have eaten 600 calories in french fries written down on myfitnesspal.com for posterity.