NewLifeFinny

Hi all! I had RNY on 11/15/15. HW: 349. SW:337. CW:217 (Down 132 lbs.) I got really into exercise around February of this year: HIIT strength training, cardio dance, spinning, etc. I was working out 6x a week and feeling so strong and healthy. In mid-May I had emergency ovarian surgery. I was cleared to work out again one week later, so of course I hit the gym as hard as before. Three days later I was in agony with back pain. I think the stress of abdominal surgery put more strain on my back, and my body is changing so quickly anyway, that it got to be too much for my goofy spine. I have DDD of the L4-S1 vertebrae, as so many of us do, with zero discs left in that region. The pain has been more intense and lingering than ever before and it's really affected me physically, mentally, and emotionally. It's been a long road of stops and starts trying to get back to "normal." Here's what I'm doing now: physical therapy exercises to start my day, every day. My personal training (HIIT strength training) twice a week, avoiding "triggering" exercises. (My trainers know the limitations.) Just started restorative yoga 2x a week and felt amazing after the first session. Can't wait to go back. Walking a 20 minute mile for 2-3 miles at least 4x a week. Going to the chiropractor as needed for adjustments and massage. And of course I sleep on my back with a knee bolster. I would love to go back to my old training style and schedule but suspect that will be out of reach for a while. For those of you out there also dealing with DDD, herniations, stenosis, etc - what works for you? Have any tips or tricks? Did you also experience worsening back pain after surgery? I heard that we used to have more insulation around the spine, and weight loss naturally causes instability because of the lack of "cushion." Also, our back muscles get super strong because they're used to carrying around a lot of weight in front, so when we become lighter they're still in "flex mode" and prone to act up. I am not medical professional - does any of that make sense?! My chiro and ortho didn't really have theories on this.

Thanks for your input, gowalking! That's a good point and something I forgot about - the Ortho did recommend core strengthening. I've added about 5 min of core to the end of my personal training sessions (they say any more than 10 minutes is too stressful for your abdominals.) Wishing you all the best with personal training! It has truly transformed my life. I think a knowledgeable trainer is worth her/his weight in gold.

Thanks for your input! I will order Peggy's DVD. Do you feel any different since taking glucosomine?

So sorry to hear about your spine issues, Djmohr. That sounds very painful and difficult. Hope all goes well and I'm wishing you relief and rehabilitation! Glad to learn you would still go through with bypass. I agree that despite the setbacks, it's been worthwhile.

Thanks Waler! Love the tens unit. Wonder if those OTC ones sold at drugstores work as well as the real thing.

I'm in Chicago too! Doing the Brookfield Zoo 5k this weekend and excited for more beautiful weather. I can't walk 26 miles yet (you flippin rock star!!!) but this is so much more than I was capable of doing before.

I LOVE strength training. I was doing cardio on my own before joining a training gym and it's transformed my life. I also notice that my skin has firmed up and my loss has increased significantly (which makes sense because that bit of extra lean muscle mass burns calories throughout the day.) I have orthopedic issues, so if form is one of your concerns like it is to me, I highly recommend a trainer. They can really help with injury prevention as well as keeping it interesting. If you start lifting at home, I'd invest in 5 lb dumbbells, 10 lb dumbbells, a 15-20 lb padded weight bar, and some grip gloves (I have Valeo gloves and they help so much!) That's enough for most "beginners" to work with. And if you're not ready to lift yet, you can do some knee lift punches with the weights and some squats with the weight bar to elevate what you're already doing. Good luck!!!

Hi everyone, I have RNY surgery tomorrow and am super nervous about pain. I've heard of people being discharged the next day and getting back to their routines shortly thereafter, and I've heard of people who are in agony for weeks after. I'm 30 and healthy outside of degenerative disc disease affecting L4 - S1, arthritic knees, and a dislocated kneecap that's always giving me pain. I think I have an okay pain tolerance; kidney stones were rough at times but I got through it better than most, and I've thrown my back out about a half dozen times (worse than kidney stones, in my opinion!) What was your experience after surgery? What are your tips to coping with pain? Does anyone else have DDD - if so, how was your back? Thanks everyone!

Jealous, jenjen16! I had surgery the same day, have been following the plan to the letter, and have only lost 15.

Has anyone tried this? My husband just bought some for me on the recommendation of a colleague who had bariatric surgery. Each half gallon contains over 150 egg whites, sucralose, and other natural/artificial flavors. It's allegedly delicious and comes in something like a dozen flavors. You can also bake with it. It's 25g of Protein per 8 oz serving, with 1g sugar and no fat. Considering that it's packed with protein, I'm sick of (and sick from) protein shakes, and these 2 half gallons were hella expensive, I'm drinking them even if they taste like garbage! I have one in a vanilla cupcake flavor and another in chocolate caramel. Anyone have experience with these?

Had surgery on 11/16 and, all things considered, am feeling fan-frickin-tastic. This app/forum has been a phenomenal resource for me and I truly believe that reading about the pain really helped me understand and prepare for it. Anyway, now that I'm only a couple days out and clearly an ~*expert*~ (feel free to laugh here) these are my stray observations: - There is something living in the lower left side of my tummy. I feel it stabbing, clawing, and itching me from the inside out. It gets its kicks by pulling out a little feather and tickling me until I want to roll on the floor for release, not unlike my dog. I fully expect a little alien head to pop out that cluster of incisions soon. What's up, a new buddy! - My skin looks bomb. It just might be the copious hydration and feline sleep schedule (you think?!) but I've finally kicked the pesky breakouts that have lingered since, um, whenever "regular" acne became "adult" acne. - I am harder to put down than a Gillian Flynn novel, but once I get to sleep, just watch me go! I will resist a nap like a recalcitrant toddler then sleep with an intensity you've never seen. Also, I'm sleeping about 10 hours a night and relishing every moment of it. I feel like I spent years in sleep deprivation and now it's basically my job, guys. - Walking never appealed to me and now it's my favorite thing (outside of sleeping and touching my now-smooth face, of course.) I live in the suburban sprawl of Chicago where, unless someone is clearly jogging or out with kids and/or a dog, you wonder what the heck they're up to. Who is this adult? Why are they alone? Where are they going? Don't they want to run there, or at least take a Pomeranian with them? I now love exploring my neighborhood, getting fresh air, and realizing that everyone else's grass looks kinda patchy up close too. That's okay, snow will cover it soon. *voice cracks as a single tear rolls down my cheek* - Speaking of cheeks, I'm still carrying around excess Fluid and am 4 lbs heavier than surgery weight, but I can tell the fat is melting since my cheekbones are thawing out. Maybe I can stop "Kontouring like a Kardashian" in a few months, hooray! - Also regarding cheeks (can you believe I have TWO cheek-related points? Impressive) I've taken to calling myself "Chipmunk" on account of my drinking strategy. That strategy is "Think about hydration nonstop, sip for a while, forget about your lil' pouch and take a huge swig, then hold that Water in your cheeks for a while like a panicked forest animal." Every time I do it I swear that will be the last time, then 1 hour later my face is full of chamomile tea that I'm carefully dripping down my throat while resisting the urge to giggle. - What is binge-watching, and how do I do that? TV shockingly doesn't really appeal to me right now. I used to enjoy marathon TV weekends but all I have patience for at this point is reading or scribbling in my "adult-friendly" coloring book. Perhaps I won't regret failing to catch up on this season of Scandal when I'm gazing upon the gorgeous artwork lining my walls. *Looks up at the gallery of crudely torn coloring book pages featuring improbably colored hummingbirds and decides to fire up the Netflix* What is your post-surgery milieu? Any fun facts you learned about yourself after WLS?

Whoa, 20 lbs? You go, rking! You're slaying it. In the same boat: start work Monday (the first week is working from home, thankfully) but I've gotten used to the life of leisure. If only we could be independently wealthy! Rich and skinny haha. Stay warm and congrats!

Gigs, no way! I'm about 8 blocks from Mariano's... are we in the same neighborhood too lol?! This is blowing my mind! BTW I finally caught up on Scandal per your recommendation. Worth it!

Ooh, might be soft foods! Exciting. Keep me posted.

Same here! Two weeks out and feeling pretty much normal (besides being extra sleepy and missing food. :/) When do you start "normal" foods? I have another week of full liquids left. Before surgery I never appreciated the great variety of light Yoplait yogurt flavors lol.

Are you a writer? I feel like I am reading a novel.. Definitely not an author, Niki, but flattered you'd think so! Just supremely bored with walking, reading, and watching junk TV in my Snuggie.

Sorry your tummy buddy has a poker instead of a feather, sketcher! How are you feeling now?

Thanks so much for your kind words, Gigs! And I love hearing about how this post-surgical experience has been for you. You are my role model for being able to cook, bake, and not eat! My husband fried an egg this morning and I was watching him like hungry dog. I'm in Oak Lawn and my surgeon is Dr. Gerald Cahill. Where are you? Small world!

Thank you TinyTink!

Wow, congratulations! You look beautiful and best of all, you look SO happy!

Wow, congratulations Jasmine! You're amazing. Best wishes to you! You can do it.

Update - now "on the other side" and feeling great! Yesterday after surgery I was in a lot of pain, but it was well managed by morphine. By evening I was in a chair, dialed down to Loritab, and feeling so much better. I also slept in the chair since it felt more comfortable for my stomach and back. The incisions and pump don't hurt too bad; like others said, its like doing a hardcore ab workout and feeling tight the next day. The gas is causing me the most discomfort so I can't wait to take a stroll. My back is sore but nothing out of the ordinary, and nausea rolls around every couple hours but there are meds to take care of that too. Haven't thrown up yet (knock on wood) and once I coughed up some mucus, the spirometer (the breathing tool) got a lot easier. Thanks for your support and feedback, everyone! Excited to start this journey.

Thanks for the comments so far, everyone! Appreciate you sharing your experience.

One week of shakes only, fitting the 21+ g of protein and >5 g of sugar guidelines. The last day is clear liquids only.