Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

So impatient!!!



Recommended Posts

I'm 2 weeks post op, and I can ride the exercise bike on resistance level 9 (out of 15) and I can walk on the treadmill at speed level 3.5 (out of 5) for 20 minutes each. But I'm impatient because I see so many others doing all kinds of awesome workouts and lifting weights and doing all kinds of things I've only dreamed of being able to do. But I'm still restricted from lifting anything and I can't run just yet (still too heavy, and again, was told not to try before 6 weeks post op). And I have to be honest, I'm so impatient!!! I'm already off 4 meds and stable and I just want to build muscle and strengthen my core and lose even more weight lol I know, I know....I have to take my time and let my body fully heal and follow my surgeon's advice. I know, and I will. But have any of you felt this way? Like before you were totally cleared at 6 weeks? Were you impatient and excited and chomping at the bit to get started seeing what your new body can really do??

Edited by SleeveDiva2022

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was... but I went too fast and managed to pull one of my incisions which kept me out a bit longer. So even though you're champing at the bit, go slow. And once you're cleared, don't go crazy. It will take time to build back up.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

I'm 2 weeks post op, and I can ride the exercise bike on resistance level 9 (out of 15) and I can walk on the treadmill at speed level 3.5 (out of 5) for 20 minutes each. But I'm impatient because I see so many others doing all kinds of awesome workouts and lifting weights and doing all kinds of things I've only dreamed of being able to do. But I'm still restricted from lifting anything and I can't run just yet (still too heavy, and again, was told not to try before 6 weeks post op). And I have to be honest, I'm so impatient!!! I'm already off 4 meds and stable and I just want to build muscle and strengthen my core and lose even more weight lol I know, I know....I have to take my time and let my body fully heal and follow my surgeon's advice. I know, and I will. But have any of you felt this way? Like before you were totally cleared at 6 weeks? Were you impatient and excited and chomping at the bit to get started seeing what your new body can really do??

That is horrid vikingbeast. A very good word of caution to us.

I am 10 days PO. There are a few twinges and aches happening. I am not champing at the bit. I also had a hernia repaired so I am loathe to push myself before my body is ready.

The procedure that you had will be in place for the rest of your life. You have the time to go as hard as you need when your body is ready. It is the surgeon that have seen lots of people and how long our bodies take to recover. Walking is a really good thing to do to get your body headed in the right direction.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wouldn't jump into things your body isn't ready for. For one thing, I wasn't cleared to do anything other than walk for the first four weeks - and I had to wait eight weeks for strength-training. Plus you want whatever fitness routine(s) you select to be sustainable.

When I was still over 300 lbs, my fitness routines consisted mostly of walking and water-related stuff (swimming and Water aerobics). I can now do pretty much everything, but at that weight, some exercises were too hard on my joints. I eventually was able to do them, though.

so wait until your body is ready - and pick things that are enjoyable so you'll be likely to keep up with them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you are impatient and want to do more then my advice would be to walk, walk, walk. That is pretty much all I do is walk and ride bike. I am not big on the exercise bike, I find I get more out of actual road cycling and road walking than on the machines. As you lose weight, you are pulling around less weight with you so you either have to exercise a little more to get the same benefit or....as silly as it sounds, weigh yourself down while you are walking to get the same calorie burn as before. I have heard of people putting weights in backpacks and walking to achieve this. I just walk an extra half hour or so in the evening to get the additional calories.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Agree with others - if you are impatient to do more, focus on walking. I was working out with a trainer 2x a week even at my heaviest/right before surgery and used to do a lot of ab work (you'd never know looking at me, haha), heavy weights, all sorts of things most people wouldn't think I could do. But, I stopped all of that for a good 2 months after surgery. I did NOT want to pull anything or set myself back long term, so I was very careful. Even when I started back, we began with much lower weights and the ab work was very light for a while to ease back into it.

Also, I would caution that if you weren't doing more intensive exercise before surgery (I'm not sure if you were or not), that once you are cleared for taking on more, you ease into it. It is very easy to over train especially when we are in our post surgery high. 🙂 I'd recommend a few sessions with a trainer if that's in your budget. It really is helpful because they will be mindful of balancing your muscle groups, form, and also challenge you (safely) in ways you may not challenge yourself. Also, as we lose weight, the way we move changes which can cause different kinds of strain on the body you may be surprised by, as it adjusts.

I'm now 100 lbs down, and I am on an exercise high, having started adding in a lot more cardio on non-training days. I discovered the joy of streaming exercise video services!! But, I still have to mindful of what feels good for me at this weight, because even if I feel spry and want to hop around like a bunny rabbit, I'm still too heavy to be doing high impact work. That means modifying exercised to be low impact (lo-jacks vs jumping jacks, that kind of thing). 🙂

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, Tony B - NJ said:

If you are impatient and want to do more then my advice would be to walk, walk, walk. That is pretty much all I do is walk and ride bike. I am not big on the exercise bike, I find I get more out of actual road cycling and road walking than on the machines. As you lose weight, you are pulling around less weight with you so you either have to exercise a little more to get the same benefit or....as silly as it sounds, weigh yourself down while you are walking to get the same calorie burn as before. I have heard of people putting weights in backpacks and walking to achieve this. I just walk an extra half hour or so in the evening to get the additional calories.

I was actually thinking about getting those 1 pound wrist weights and 3 pound ankle weights from Walmart or Target and using those when I walk. I'm not allowed to lift any weights or run until after I hit 6 weeks, but I'm wondering if wearing those would be ok just for walking. I definitely am not looking to do any damage by jumping the gun on what my surgeon said is ok, but I want to keep making progress and get in the healthiest shape I can.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Queen ApisM said:

Agree with others - if you are impatient to do more, focus on walking. I was working out with a trainer 2x a week even at my heaviest/right before surgery and used to do a lot of ab work (you'd never know looking at me, haha), heavy weights, all sorts of things most people wouldn't think I could do. But, I stopped all of that for a good 2 months after surgery. I did NOT want to pull anything or set myself back long term, so I was very careful. Even when I started back, we began with much lower weights and the ab work was very light for a while to ease back into it.

Also, I would caution that if you weren't doing more intensive exercise before surgery (I'm not sure if you were or not), that once you are cleared for taking on more, you ease into it. It is very easy to over train especially when we are in our post surgery high. 🙂 I'd recommend a few sessions with a trainer if that's in your budget. It really is helpful because they will be mindful of balancing your muscle groups, form, and also challenge you (safely) in ways you may not challenge yourself. Also, as we lose weight, the way we move changes which can cause different kinds of strain on the body you may be surprised by, as it adjusts.

I'm now 100 lbs down, and I am on an exercise high, having started adding in a lot more cardio on non-training days. I discovered the joy of streaming exercise video services!! But, I still have to mindful of what feels good for me at this weight, because even if I feel spry and want to hop around like a bunny rabbit, I'm still too heavy to be doing high impact work. That means modifying exercised to be low impact (lo-jacks vs jumping jacks, that kind of thing). 🙂

I never thought about a trainer!!! I will definitely look into that once I hit 6 weeks and I'm off all exercise restrictions. For now I'll just keep walking and doing the bike and maybe add those 1 pound wrist weights and 3 pound ankle weights from Walmart or Target while walking.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yep, sit on your proverbial hands until you're physically cleared, otherwise you'll injure yourself and set yourself back even longer.

Even though I was patient, at 4 months out I started the None 2 Run program and screwed up my knee, which is still giving me grief at almost 8 months out. And I weighed less this time than I did when I did the same program way back before surgery when I last lost weight the old-fashioned way. So I was not only nursing an injured knee, but confused as hell as to why a lighter me couldn't nail the program like I did when I was heavier! But the answer is easy - I lost a lot of strength in the pre-surgery months when I was at my absolute heaviest. Everything hurt, so my activity was almost non-existent). Post-surgery recovery took a long time, and I lost even more tone during those weeks. So I bruised the bone jogging on weak leg muscles.

So now I concentrate on the gym, doing low impact cardio and weight training to build strength. My partner and I had to run the other night to catch a show we were running a little late for. The run was fine on the night, but the next day, my knee was tender again. I want desperately to run, but may have to accept that it's going to take some time with physio to do it.

So small steady steps. Enjoy the other small victories as they come. The process is a long-haul.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I’m 13 days post op and I too want to work out (re: lift weights) so bad! But alas, I’ve always been a rule follower to a T so until the magic 6 week mark, I’m walking the dogs 🐕 🤣

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • trinzic

      Hi there!  Just wanted to gain some perspective.  Out of anyone here who had the gastric bypass, can you give me info on your journey?  How much weight did you lose in the first month, 3 months, 6 months after surgery?  I'm working on getting my clearances so that I can have surgery in late summer.  My friend, who just had GB, told me "your new life doesn't start the day of your surgery, but right now, so take care of yourself!"  So, I'm trying.  But hearing what others have experienced will give me some perspective and I'm big on that kind of thing. 
      · 1 reply
      1. BabySpoons

        I lost 25 pounds in 3 months before surgery and your friend is right. Putting off losing weight till surgery date just reminded me of all the excuses I made before. I'll wait till Monday to start or after the holidays.

        I'm 8 weeks out from Gastric Bypass and lost another 25. So I'm averaging about 3 pounds a week post-surgery. That's the most I've ever lost consistently over time without regain so I'm happy. Good luck on your journey!

    • BabySpoons

      Lost 3 pounds this week. I'll take it!!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • JenniferLilly36549

      Waiting for surgery date…still undecided sleeve vs. RNY
      · 2 replies
      1. Jodi74

        I had the sleeve 9/13/21 and just had a the sleeve to bypass revision on 5/3/23. My HW:321 (I'm 5' 8" tall)and I went down to 254 while doing my 7 nutrition appts required by my insurance company. So just changing the way I ate, I was able to get those pounds off w/o surgery. I have many Co morbidities mixed hyperlipidemia, diabetes, htn, MI due to covid. I had read and done quite a bit of research so I could choose the best surgery for myself and learned previous to my sleeve that someone as heavy as I was and all the Co morbidities I have, it was better in my situation to have the bypass but, my DR. Kept saying I would have the same results with the sleeve. Every time I would see him and say to him that I felt it would be best to just get the bypass, he just shot me down and said the sleeve would produce the same results! Why he kept asking me which surgery I wanted at each visit just to tell me the sleeve was all I needed still a mystery to me????? Let's just say, my Dr. Was wrong you see, the surgeries are both about the same price, but the sleeve is easier for the surgeon to perform so I think my DR. Just wanted the easier since he would get the same pay no matter what. After sleeve surgery I did go from 254 to 226 BUT that's just because you are healing from surgery and can't eat anyway as soon as I recovered! I was starving non-stop. I went right back up and stayed at 248. Still had to take cholesterol meds, blood pressure meds, diabetes meds etc. I'm now almost 4 weeks post op the bypass and feel great. I'm not starving all the time, went from 248 to 220 and doing great! Not only what you just read about my story, you also hear about a lot of people needing revision after the sleeve due to acid reflex like severe acid reflex all the time. So the bypass surgery is the only way to stop This reflux if you acquire this condition after sleeve surgery. The regain possibility is higher with sleeve than bypass so just think about all these factors before you make your decision. I wish I would have just had the bypass and saved myself from having to have 2 surgeries in under 2 years. The bypass surgery was also less painful for me lol! I don't know if the new surgeon was better or what but, I was home the next day. After the sleeve I had to stay an extra night due to the nausea and vomiting all night and for pain control.

      2. BabySpoons

        After doing the research between the sleeve and bypass, I chose the Gastric bypass for quite a few different reasons. Thankfully my surgeon told me I was a perfect candidate for it after he examined my health history. Oddly enough, his nurse tried talking me into getting the sleeve too. Like your doc said, she thought it was easier and just as good. But I'm not looking for easy. I'm looking for more effective. Just the reflux alone was enough for me to say no thanks.

        Sorry you had to get 2 surgeries and wishing you all the best!

    • BabySpoons

      Who knew Filet Mignon would make me so sick. Leftovers from Mother's Day.  On the upside..next day I started walking outside a little over a mile without stopping or back pain. That's a bit deal for me considering how inactive I've been for years. Woot woot!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BabySpoons

      Five-week follow-up for gastric bypass and now on lifetime food plan. No restrictions.  In all that time I was fortunate to get sick only one time, week 1, on Easter. Chicken broth...go figure.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×