Bypass2Freedom

Prior to weight loss surgery, I could barely walk 5 minutes without stopping from the pain. I think the last time I actually tried jogging was with my mum when I was about 17, so like 11 years ago! And back then it was this Couch to 5k app so you would walk for a few mins, and then jog for 30 seconds and boy did that almost kill me off! Anyway, I was in the gym today on my lunch break, and I always do 20 mins of cardio on the treadmill after my weights workout. I do 5 minutes at a 12 incline, and then lower it by 4 every 5 mins, and increase the speed (hopefully that makes sense). So during the last 5 mins of cardio, the gym was empty, not a soul apart from me, so I decided to do something I was too scared to do with others there. I put the speed up so that I was jogging...full-blown jogging. At first I just expected my lungs to give out like they would previously, but they didn't...I was breathing fine, I was not in pain, and I realised I can do this! I did the last 5 minutes at that pace, and I left with only a little bit of a sweat on, and no pain in my legs or lungs. I just called my dad to tell him because I think this is perhaps the first time in this journey I have felt like I love my body, and I love what it is capable of. My NSV, that I didn't even know was on my NSV list ❤️

Thank you lovely!

Thank you so much!! It's such an insane feeling!! Even when I was at my lightest when I was 20, I didn't feel this capable! I genuinely never thought I'd enjoy running 😂 but I'm gonna add that last 5 minutes of my cardio to be a jog each time now! And I've signed up for actual classes at the gym too just to see how I can progress! How have you progressed with the running bug? What do you do? Such an inspiration! I keep reminding myself of that and I think at the moment exercising is the only hobby I have, and I'm okay with that 😂

Thank you!!!

Congratulations!!

The time has come in my journey where I have had a little weight gain - about 3lbs in 10 days. I know it is to be expected it is just a little frustrating! For reference, my typical day of eating includes some protein porridge for breakfast, a sandwich or a salad with some chicken/avocado for lunch, some soy marinated boiled eggs as a snack, and then for dinner is usually some form of meat for protein, some veg and some carbs (I'll eat the veg/protein first). I try to aim for 2.5L of water a day - usually manage anywhere from 1.5-2L if I am honest! I do drink tea & coffee, and I go to the gym 3-4 times a week, mostly doing a range of weight training, and also 20-30 mins of cardio: my go to cardio at the moment is on the treadmill, on a 12 incline, speed at 4.8-6 and walking for a set amount of time. ANYWAY - just feeling a little disheartened!!

I have been upping my water intake, and I did have the hormonal coil put in last week on Monday! maybe it is the hormones! the universe is cruel haha

I definitely felt that! It is such a big change and one that shouldn't be taken lightly, so it is normal that you have these feelings, but know that you are making the right decision for yourself, and you are putting yourself first ❤️ Surgery is always a scary thing, but you are in the best hands. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

281 lbs vs 175 lbs 🖤

Thank you!

Definitely take a picture every month or so, just so you can look back and compare! Honestly it has really helped me currently where my weight loss has slowed down and I am in a bit of a stall! Congratulations on your journey so far - you have already smashed it out of the park! I was in so much pain daily pre-WLS, lacking energy and hip pain as you say! Honestly both of those things went for me around the 2-3 month mark, so I hope that you soon feel that too! Thank you ❤️

Thank you! They've gone from a 38GG to a 34FF, and trust me, without my bra they are a state 🤣🤣 The loose skin is intense!

Thank you everyone! ❤️

Thank you so so much lovely 😍

That's beyond true! I think especially in times like now where I'm feeling my loss slow a bit, reflecting on just how different my body is really does help. Thank you so much ❤️

SO I had the wonderful experience of having my IUD (hormonal coil), removed & replaced yesterday. Knowing how painful it was being fitted the first time, and having not experienced having it replaced before, I decided to take 2 30mg codeine/500mg paracetamol tablets, as pain relief for women during such procedures really is just forgotten about. I'd eaten some protein stick things too. Pre-surgery I'd taken these tablets fine, no side effects, but OMFG, as I was sitting in the waiting area before my procedure it hit me like a brick **** house. I was sweating, nauseous, my stomach was cramping and pain was radiating into my back, I felt spacy and woozy and I was clearly very pale in my face and lips as the nurse went to get me a sick bowl 🤣 Needless to say, instead of actually giving me pain relief, it actually made the entire experience so much worse 🤣 I will not be taking them again! Does anyone else have any experiences with medication effecting them differently? Note to add: this medication was given to me by my surgeon for post-surgery!

It is so interesting the different advice that various surgeons give - mine has advised against NSAIDs but I suppose one here and there couldn't hurt if I needed it, though paracetamol does seem to do the trick for the most part! I definitely should have eaten something beforehand 😒 Probably (definitely) too high a dose! I took that x2 so I should have really thought it through, but I think I was just real anxious for the procedure and just wasn't thinking! Wow - that sounds like a really weird experience! I bet you have steered clear of that since! To be honest, I definitely got that spacy feeling!

100% agree with you there! I think I am just going to give it a miss - I don't rate just getting a headache 🤣

Definitely not an ideal day, @ShoppGirl! I'll be smarter next time and make sure I test meds before taking them 😭😂 though with that being said, I don't see myself taking cocodamol again! It's definitely a really interesting topic on how our body absorbs things now, and I think @SpartanMaker had a really valid point in that my body is probably absorbing things a lot quicker! It is a conundrum for me, because I fully expected that alcohol would be absorbed quickly post-bypass, and was warned about this by everyone but all it does is give me a headache, no drunk feeling at all! So it's pointless for me 😂

Note to self: don't accidentally OD on codiene again 😅🤢

Definitely agree with you on that one! What happened to your friend sounds so awful!!! I can't believe she had to go through all of that with no pain relief!

@ShoppGirl It is so frustrating isn't it - I think pain has been so unfortunately normalised for women in terms of childbirth, periods etc, that we are just expected to be able to handle it and get on with it. They only usually recommend paracetamol and I am not kidding, it does nothing for the pain you are actually in during the fitting of the IUD! I don't understand why it isn't better medicated. That is genuinely it though - you have hit the nail on the head - birth will always be the comparison! And what about those of us who have never given birth? The IUD fitting is worse because of that, and yet we are still told to get on with it essentially. So infuriating and belittling! My bf tried telling me that it is only temporary and it won't be that bad...I was just like...do you have to take any form of contraception? Most men I have encountered whine and moan about having to use a condom which is painless, let alone even having to consider more painful contraceptive alternatives!

Definitely based on what is best for you. When I had my consultation with my surgeon, I was pretty sure I wanted the sleeve as I thought it would be 'easier' (I was thoroughly misinformed haha), but when I spoke with my surgeon, ran through my medical history (which included a high BMI, an underactive thyroid & PCOS), he advised that the bypass would probably be more effective for me. BUT, at the end of the day, it is your decision

Celebrating the little wins today - getting into the overweight category in the dreaded BMI! Considering my BMI pre-surgery was like 46, to have now got down to 29.8, I feel chuffed! ❤️ I remember when I checked my BMI pre-surgery and the little X on the scale wasn't even registering on there, and the advice the webpage gives you is to 'see your Dr about your weight'. Now the X is comfortably on the scale, and seeing my Dr is only a suggestion 🤣 Anyone else celebrating wins today?!

Thank you everyone for the comments and the positivity! I really needed that today! My weight is so up & down at the moment (I'll be 8 months post-op on the 14th), and its the first time I am seeing a small gain which is annoying me! I have a feeling it could be because I am in the gym weight training a lot more, but I am trying not to overthink it!