PdxMan

My Dr wanted 6 weeks. Got to be sure the staple line is healed. He did clear me for swimming 3 weeks post, which was nice to do, but I didn't do laps or anything like that.

Don't mean to be a nay-sayer ... but I have read sooo many posts from folks here who, IMO, weren't ready to be sleeved. I'm sure they told the Drs what they wanted to hear, too, and passed the exam. But they weren't ready mentally for the journey they were embarking on. It is a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. Your relationship with food is going to change. If you are not ready for that, then you SHOULD wait until you are. I'll never forget the post a couple weeks ago from the lady, sleeved 3 weeks earlier is complaining about pizza hurting her tummy. IMO, somebody eating pizza 3 weeks post-op needs to take a serious look at their eating habits. I recall another complaining about not losing weight 3 months post op. They are drinking with their meals and eating portions comparable to pre-surgery. Admitting to eating candy and fried foods. IMO, not ready for the surgery. I think you need to be honest ... to a point. Admitting doing drugs 40 years ago ... no ... I think you can leave that out. But if you are currently dealing with any demons, you need to be forthright about it. The sleeve is not a magic bullet and deceiving your Dr could be a symptom of other issues ... Am I perfect, God no. I have had my struggles with alchohol, smoking, drugs, food ... The only addictions I haven't had yet are gambling and sex. (I'm working on getting the latter ) I have worked on each of these over the years by addressing them head on when I was ready. Key point there ... when I was ready. For me, the sleeve was a Godsend. It was just what I needed. But I feel that I was ready for it and the commitments to the lifestyle that it requires. I just don't want anyone to not be ready for this, get sleeved and make that discovery. I know after failing dozens of diet attempts, I was at my wits end. I don't want fail here and don't want anybody else to, either.

I live in Portland, OR and I am a man ... AirportCodeGender

I was not checked for a leak. He basically told me that even if he checked for a leak while on the table or before I flew home, it wouldn't be conclusive as there is so much swelling. I was told to keep an eye on myself and go to my PCP if anything was not feeling right. I ended up fine, but there are several posts on here from those with leaks. Search for them, but don't make yourself crazy. Just do what you are supposed to do and don't push yourself too much.

Thanks, Mass. I ate Pasta, graham crackers (huge carbs and calories there), crackers, bananas, pretzels, apples, Cereal and oatmeal. I try putting everything in My Fitness Pal, but I find I am not 100% compliant with my entries. I am trying to get better.

Hey all, So, I ran the 8K Sunday and it went great!! Actually, beyond belief. I actually won my age group, 45-49. Overall, there were 241 runners in the 8K and I finished 14th. My time was 38:30 which is an average of 7:44 minute per mile. Pretty wild. I felt prepared and nutritionally, this is what I did: Wednesday/Thursday - Stopped protein supplements (shakes, bars) but ate normal meals, just larger quantities, so it did take a bit longer. I did drink with my meals so I was able to get more in. Did run 3 miles Wednesday, 5 miles Thursday. Friday - Doubled up on vitamins and fluids. No cardio. Still no protein supplements, but also reduced protein in meals. Still drinking with meals trying to get carbs/calories. Saturday - Avoided protein, drank lots of liquids (clear urine), doubled up vitamins and ate carbs all day long. I thought I was going to burst. I'm not kidding. Drinking water definately relieved the restriction. I don't understand how some people post that they cannot feel the difference in their restriction whether they drink or not. I guess the bottom line is that we are all different, but I can DEFINATELY eat more when I drink with my meal. I wasn't going to do any cardio, but my running group meets Saturday mornings. I went because we start with a 20 minute speaker and the topic was about injuries and foot striking which I really wanted to hear. Plus, the coach talks for a bit about what's going on and blah, blah blah ... I dressed thinking I would maybe just go out for a mile or two but then I looked down at my Garmin and I was at 2.5 miles ... and I still had to run back!! So ... I ran 5 miles the day before a race. Not smart ... and one of the reasons I crammed so many carbs in. I knew I hit my energy stores hard. Morning of the race I woke up two hours early and had a bowl of oatmeal and orange juice. I continued hydration moving to electrolyte drinks and a GU energy gel about an hour pre-race. The energy gels are in a form easily converted to glycogen. You can look them up and research them and see if they are for you. On the way to the race, I stopped and grabbed a tripple expresso and pounded that (I am not a coffee drinker). 10 minutes pre-race, I cracked open a Roctain, which is an energy gel used by marathon runners/endurance athletes. I figured with our limited ability to get energy, this would top me off. Gun sounded and we were off. I started right at the front and the elite runners took the lead and I fell in behind them at a 7:15 pace (They were zooming at sub 6) I have a running belt and had it filled with electrolyte liquids as well, though I didn't need any until the 4 mile mark. I slowed my pace, as I was afraid of bonking, back to 7:30 at 2 miles and held it there for another mile. I felt good. At mile 4, I was beginning to feel a little winded (and over-heated ... I need to assess my clothing for races), so I drank some. Let me tell you, running and drinking with my little sleeve is not easy. I ended up getting a bunch of air in and belching and ... eesh. I gotta figure out a drinking system. I had slowed to a 7:50 pace and felt good after finally getting some liquids in and stomach settled, so I picked it back up. I could see the finish line a quarter mile away, so I sprinted (if that is what you could call it after 4 3/4 miles) the rest of the way. I felt great. Did some stretches ... grabbed a banana, orange and drank my protein drink. So, what did I learn? Nutritionally, I felt right on. I probably could have even maintained my 7:15 pace longer. Hydration ... I am going to have to work on this. Researching this says you shouldn't need to hydrate during a race of this length (<45 minutes) but I think we are in a different bucket here. But, I know I also over-heated, too, so I had some extra liquid loss there, which ties to what to wear for a race. I have never had this issue during training, but racing is far more rigorous so I need to have a different clothing plan there. Thanks for reading and good luck to any and all who decide to take up running. I have to say I am loving it and couldn't have done it without my sleeve.

I just want to echo RickM's comments. I do about 15 minutes cardio prior to weight training to warm up. Rotate through the muscle groups and stay active during the weight lifting session. Stretch before and after. Early on, I started with machines. This supported basic form and strengthened the muscles I needed to do free weights with better form. With the exception of thighs, I do free weights exclusively now. As far as losing/gaining weight ... at this point, you are below goal. I would remove that from my mind completely. What does it really mean if you gain 5 pounds? Do you think it is an unhealthy 5 pounds? Do you expect to gain muscle mass but not gain weight? And what if you lose? Does this mean you are not gaining muscle mass ... ? I can see your head starting to spin now. If I remember correctly, head spins is one of the reasons you changed to a weekly weigh-in. Don't curse yourself by falling back into the slavery of the scale. Work-out ... do cardio and strength training ... listen and do what your trainer tells you. Trust in them and yourself and it all just might work out the way it is supposed to. Good luck! Keep us posted. I'm also interested in how you feel your nutrition effects your training. If you make any adjustments and how you feel.

I assume you have expressed your goals to your trainer and have revealed your sleeve and the nutritional challenges surrounding that. I would say trust your trainer and give it a try. I'm guessing you are looking to tone the muscle sitting under the loose skin, so as to reduce the amount of loose skin ... right? In that case, you need Protein to build muscle and you want your energy focused on that, not on the elliptical.

Hey all, I made a post about the race over on my blog here on VST. Here is a link to it. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/blog/992/entry-2697-race-day-valentines-day-8k/

As soon as I was off pain meds ... about 4 days.

Yup, that's what I did after a week. Worked for me.

Well, I'm not going to lie to you. I lost a lot of muscle mass early on. Pre-sleeve, I could bench 150, no problem. Now, 125. Fly, 45# barbells, now, 40. But early on, I had no energy and the Protein drinks were tough as it took me awhile to find one that worked for me. Once I upped my carbs, my energy came back and I was able to workout again. Now, I run 4x a week and do Tabata/weight lift 2x a week. My numbers have been increasing and my wife says she can see definition. So, I think it is difficult not to lose some muscle especially if you drop quickly. I wasn't trying to drop quickly at all, but it happened that way. But it does come back, so I think you will be fine in doing whatever activities you want.

Do a search on the site for slimes. Lots of posts and experiences.

Alas, Fern, it is Vancouver, WA, though I wish it were BC. That area is stunning. I am signed up for the 1/2, but talked to my coach about moving to the full. With the distances I am running now, he feels I should be in good shape for a full, but I don't think he understands the nutrition issues we face. I have an 8K this weekend and am carb loading right now for it. I will post after and tell you how it went and how I felt my nutrition affected me and my run.

I am not a coffee drinker and needless to say, I don't drink sodas, so my caffeine intake is near zero. Dragging @ss was my operatus modi for a few weeks post surgery. I upped my carbs and for me, it was like a veil lifted. I had energy, I could think clearer and was motivated in so many ways. That is when I started exercising more and one thing led to another and ... well, look at my stats and check out my blog. Like Diva says, carbs and exercise are great for getting energy. But they go hand in hand. The more carbs you increase by, the more you should be moving. The more you are moving, the more carbs you need.

I had the same issue. I spoke to my NUT and she told me to increase my carbs. I added cooked veggies and basically stopped worrying about my carb intake. It TOTALLY worked for me. About 2 days later I felt like I was *back*. We had 85% of our stomach removed. We will lose weight. Add some carbs back and see how your energy levels change. Can't hurt to try.

So, I'm also not cooking meals that often. I make huge batches of soup and freeze them in pint jars for lunch. I buy ready chopped salads, throw some canned tuna and whatnots in and VOILA! dinner. Want something more, grab the individually wrapped frozen tilapia filets from costco, drizzle with olive oil and seasonings. 30 minutes later, yum! Don't have to thaw them or anything and they are tasty and easy on the tummy. Caitlyn's advice is spot on, too.

Well ... my 2 cents here, and just my opinion and I hope I don't come across as harsh, I want you to succeed. It seems that you need to address your relationship with food with a therapist. It is not the sleeve's fault that you are not eating correctly. It is not going to make you eat the foods you are supposed to. The same is true for bypass. That is why you hear so many stories about people with bypass gaining it right back. You have to address why you are not eating right. These should have all been brought up prior to your surgery. The sleeve is not a magic bullet and neither is the bypass. I wish you the best in this.

HERE!

I always told my wife that I would hate to see what size I would have been if I didn't exercise. (pre-surgery) I think in my head, exercise gave me an excuse to eat more. I don't know ... It's all in my past, now and my sleeve doesn't let me make those kind of excuses anymore. THANK GOODNESS!

Duodenal Switch = DS Bougie: A thin cylinder of rubber, plastic, metal or another material that a physician inserts into or though a body passageway, such as the esophagus, to diagnose or treat a condition. A bougie may be used to widen a passageway, guide another instrument into a passageway, or dislodge an object. Basically, it is something they put in through your mouth into your stomach to use as a guide to sew the staple line. Don't worry too much about size, the difference between a 32 and a 40 is VERY small.

Yup, same for me. I was on broths a week longer than suggested and mushies as well. I started eating canned tuna REALLY mushed up at 6 weeks and could only eat a bite or two. It was uncomfortable and I was afraid to move on. I did, though, so know it does get better. I am 7 months out yesterday and I can eat pretty much anything, but in real small quantities and I chew, chew, chew. Meats are the toughest, for sure. Salads and sliders go right on in, no problem.

For those researching, I think a good question to ask your surgeon is how tight to the bougie do they sew. Just because they use a 34 bougie doesn't mean your stomach will be that size. It is merely a guide and keeps them from accidently sewing the stomach too tight or closed all together. If they stay an inch away from the 34 bougie ... guess what? You have a size ~70 stomach. Enough to do a re-sleeve, for sure. Vickie, I'm sorry you have to go through this. Good luck.

That's just it. I don't think I have overcome it ... yet. I have an 8K race this weekend. My coach suggested I elimanate my supplemental protein (I have one shake and 1 bar daily for 60g) and focus on carbs for the 4 days leading up to the race. It is difficult for VSGers to carb up enough while maintaining normal daily activities. I'll let you know how it goes.