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I am struggling to keep up with my 3 day workout (walk on treadmill) a week. I'm just feeling lazy n blah. Is everyone working out? Also I was adviced no strength till 2 months post op! I feel once I am back to work and can actually join the gym I'd have a routine.

everyones pain tolerance is different. so it really depends on what YOU can handle. i did not take any pain medication after i left the hospital for WLS. but after plastics (tummy tuck, arm lift and breast lift), i finished the entire 2 week Rx i was prescribed in said 2 weeks. i would have taken more if i had any, and i was too lazy to see my doc to get more, so i just left it at that. but yeah, plastics recovery pain was a bee-yatch compared to wls, and the meds helped tremendously. but thats me...i know others who felt the opposite (i.e., wls was more painful)...so yeah everyone is different. i would say if u are suffering then maybe consider getting an prescription, even if just a couple days. good luck! ❤️

I sometimes date the bag as to when I made it but generally up to 6 or so months. I found some lamb cutlets (raw) in the depths of the freezer that were about two years old (I think from memory). I made soup with them. Tasted fine, just ensure the food is room temp when you freeze otherwise you’ll get ice build up. This degrades the food most & more quickly I feel. I did a clean out last week and threw out some egg muffins that were a good 16 months old and some mystery meat I’d cooked but didn’t label. As @SpartanMaker said - the mystery meat just looked grey and unappetising. oh, sometimes double bagging helps with freezer burn. Zip lock the individual portions of a certain food and then bag them together in a larger plastic bag (I sometimes do this and recycle my fruit & vegetable bags).

Finally starting to feel “normal” again with food prep and meals after being in a funk the past few months. Went to a conference a couple weeks ago and this was the lunch. The salmon was good. The rice and soup? Not so much. And I didn’t even grab dessert. 😂

Today was my one month post op appointment and I gave her my phone with the summary of all my macros for the past week since I’ve been on soft food and a “normal” portion size (3/4 cup) and told her my current steps and she was really happy. I was worried that since my stomach was not operated on and I can tolerate foods and the larger portion of the range that I was eating too much for a month out and she said that with my level of activity I actually need to increase my protein a bit and the carbs as well and that my calories were fine to go up with that. She said that my loss is excellent and to keep doing what I’m doing just to increase my protein to 90g. She even said that I can add more veggies and some other foods as tolerated. I was worried about trying like asparagus and corn or rice paper (I’ve been craving spring rolls since I seen a recipe while on purée). I had already done my grocery order for this week and was going after there to pick it up so I added them rice papers to my cart for next weeks grocery run. I went ahead and scheduled my appointment for next month but she said that if I am still doing this well I can reschedule to my three month for my labs. I’m pretty excited! I did not feel like this after my sleeve. I feel like I have a handle on this, I am actually enjoying the healthier foods and the exercise. My energy's and my mood have improved tremendously. .

Yes I'm so glad! Exactly it is pretty funny and I need to remember that whenever someone comments..my sister does that too she thinks I should already be skinny by now! 3 weeks post op! Let's just hide till we reach our goal weight lol

I got mine and I didn’t weigh it but it comes with the batteries separate (not installed). I wonder if that’s the difference. Just three AAA’s though.

A new week beckons… Laid in bed this morning, just taking stock of how I’m feeling and I actually feel happy. It’s been a long time since I’ve had that happy feeling for no apparent reason. The first part of my WLS journey is completed and now out of my hands for now so I’ve mentally put that to one side. I’ve started back at the gym and I’M LOVING IT!! I know the gym isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I truly enjoy it. I found something that works for me and can sustain it, which is really important for anyone trying to improve their fitness. I’ve been 3 times this past week and I’m not pushing it as yet, no matter how much the little devil on my shoulder is telling me to 😈 I’m aiming to go every 3rd day at the moment but will re-visit that in a few weeks time. Granddaughters party went as well as could be expected with other little kids there! I didn’t go mad food-wise - a burger, handful of mini sausage rolls, 1 Jammie Dodger, a cupcake and a small piece of cake. I actually threw a piece of quiche away which is a first for me and left the crisps, coleslaw etc alone! I know it may seem a lot but compared to what I would shovel away previously, it’s actually quite restrained! My body shape is changing, even if the scales aren’t particularly moving right now. I went through my gym stuff and tried on a pair of leggings that are size 18/20 and they fit! That was a bit of a surprise, especially as I couldn’t get them up my thighs previously 😮 Various other items are now ether too big or now fitting whereas before they were too tight. The jeans that were fine a few weeks ago? Can now get them off without unfastening them! I actually had to buy some smaller things this week. I’m not a fan of bras, they dig in and I find them uncomfortable. So I prefer the crop-top bralette type things (I’m a C cup at most) I’d noticed that I wasn’t feeling as ‘secure’ as I had before so decided it was time to update. I got a couple of vest tops with built-in support and a 3 pack of bralettes from M&S, all in smaller sizes and all fit - yay! It’s the simple things really that can give such a boost 🙂 Hairdressers tomorrow. I’m having a bit of a crisis with my hair at the moment. When I was accepted on to the Bariatric Pathway, I decided to grow my hair (all part of the ‘New Me’ vibe) Previously I had pixi-type cut and now it’s a short bob, just about at the bottom of my ears. However it’s lacking any body and looks really thin. I know my meds can play havoc, especially as I started a new injection back on November which can cause hair thinning after a few months. My hair hasn’t come out in clumps or anything, I’m just finding lots of stray hairs on things. I know that WLS also causes hair loss, so I’m now floundering a little. I’m going to have a chat with my hairdresser and see what she comes up with but I’m really erring on the side of ‘chop it off’…sigh…it’s not easy being a woman at times is it?? I plan to tackle more of my wardrobe this week and get that thinned out. Has anyone else gone through their clothes and thought to themselves “what were you thinking?” Yeah, I’m having a bit of that. However it’s more of a case of I’ve bought something previously and it has remained unworn. This is what happens when you’re the size of a a house - you buy something because it fits, not because you actually like it. I definitely will be a damn sight more discerning moving forward. Have a fabulously productive week everyone 😉 Onwards and Downwards!

I wouldn’t trust any signals now either. Simply because many nerves were cut during the surgery, so signals either aren’t getting through, aren’t the same or maybe off. You won’t start to get these signals again until you’re fully healed (about 6-8 weeks). This is why it’s so important to follow your plan in regards to portion sizes and frequency of meals. Many do find their signals change. Well may be not change more you learn to identify and recognise what the signals really mean. Like a signal for being full (or had enough) might be sneezing, hiccups or a runny nose. We also learn to differentiate between head hunger (which usually used to drive us to eat ) and real hunger .Generally if you are craving a specific texture, flavour or food. Like many want to eat something crunchy during puree stage - that’s head hunger. Your desire for coffee is head hunger. Like @SpartanMaker said real hunger has different and unusual signals. I get restless and think something is wrong and then I realise I’m hungry. And yes, most times a grumbling tummy (hunger pangs) are just your digestive system working properly. It takes time to learn what these things mean to you. Just tread slowly and stick to your plan.

I agree with @SpartanMaker, @ShoppGirl. You can’t spot lose weight/fat. But be careful building muscle in your thighs as they could end up bigger. I have three pairs of slim legged pants I can’t wear anymore because they became too firm in the legs. Weight hadn’t changed. Pants still fit perfectly in the waist & around the butt but the thighs, and calves in one pair, nope. Waah! And no they didn’t shrink in the wash. (Remember when we used to use that as an excuse -lol!)

What are you taking your MV with. I always take mine in the morning AFTER an ENtIRE protein shake. Anything less and I vomit immediately. It’s the iron. If you are only 3 weeks it’s likely you are not yet eating enough solids to stomach it. Try it with a shake if you haven’t and if that doesn’t work see anoint getting one with a lower iron content and taking a separate iron at a different time during the day to make up for it. For the waking try breaking it up into smaller spurts. Just five minutes at a medium pace ks like a quarter of a mile. It adds up quick!! That’s why I love my Apple Watch. I already had it but hadn’t worn it in forever but I updated it and other than the battery which means I have to charge it in the evening if I’m still exercising it works. Thinking about asking Santa for a new one 😉 Anyways it logs any little spurt of exercise and it shows you how quick it adds up, helps you track your heart rate and tells you exactly how many calories you burned based on that heart rate and your personal info if you enter it.

Checking in! I'm a little over 3 weeks post op but it feels like longer! I've started making lists of what foods sit well and what absolutely doesnt. I'm doing great with eggs, turkey salad, cheese, strawberries, watermelon, and soups. I rejected chicken. I've also had trouble with my MV. It was sitting really well until one day I just got extremely ill after taking it. I don't know what the secret sauce is of taking it where it won't cause nausea. I'm thinking of changing brands. I've been able to go out to events and I'm getting better at refusing to put myself in positions where I'll have trouble with food. Yesterday my friends wanted to go to Asian Buffet, i explained I couldn't eat anything there but they were persistant. I got in the car and my daughter rolled down her window and told them all she didn't feel good. I didn't want to ruin their evening by making them choose something else, all in all I wasn't mad. It's just different. My other bari gals I'm friends with get it. Still having trouble getting all my water in. I think that will just take time. I'm at 50oz a day. I also need to priortize walking because I'm only doing that once or twice a week due to being so busy.

I know how you feel! I was hoping I'd be more active but tbh I just made realistic short goals Like my goal now 3 weeks post op to walk 30 mins 3x aweek Then increase the goals slowly. I work better with short term goals and also when I'm allowed to go to the gym I'll get a membership for like 1 month then ill def feel guilty for not going but if I have 1 year membership I'll also say I have time. I'll go tomorrow! But that's just me teehee!# Don't feel so bad as long as u r sticking to Yr program of eating right! It's 80% food and 20% working out! WE GOT THIS!

When was your ur op? But as I know it is pretty normal as @ShoppGirl mentioned it could be leftover food or water or if ur aunty flow is around the corner.. I decided to stop weighing weekly and check in 2 weeks at my 1 month post op appointment! And I'm hoping to see a good decrease and avoid disappointment with the daily or weekly checks!

Find something you enjoy doing. While I have been a gym rat forever, I always take up things that I look forward to and it has to always be sustainable for me. So some years ago I took up tennis and would go twice a week, I also took up Taekwondo, martial arts and now Pilates. My two Pilates classes a week are the highlights of my week, I look forward to them and I shop cute workout outfits weekly because I like to look good when I go. It is much easier to build on the workouts (movement) you enjoy, so if you enjoy a certain activity (swimming, cycling, tennis, padel, Pilates, yoga, hiking, dancing, whatever it is) you will always feel a bit more motivated to build on that. So for me, I go for Pilates twice a week and I lift and do strength and conditioning another 3 days a week to add to my classes. I love jogging, HIIT and plyos and do that for my cardio, but even brisk walking is really really good to maintain weight loss. Keep it simple. Also, I find it much draining to workout after work, so I workout at 5:30 AM before work (except for my Pilates classes because my studio doesn't run classes that early), this allows me to get it out of the way and have my evenings free to do what I like (which is be with my kids, bake, chill). It also helps that I have a fully equipped gym at home that I have built. I always kept weights, a bench, jump rope and resistance band at my old house and would mostly workout at home early in the morning, if you can keep some weights, a walking pad and some resistance bands at home (if it is an option) do that, it works great for busy days or mornings where you don't have time/the will to go to the gym. This is what has worked for me. It has to be enjoyable and sustainable for you.

Wow! This reminder is so helpful. I'm only 4 days PostOp and I am already overwhelmed with the thought of...getting up at 5AM, to get to gym and workout, be showered and ready to for work by 8AM at minimum 4 days a week... like OMG! But you are so right, having something you enjoy doing makes it less of a "chore". I really love yoga; I mean truly love it. I remember going to classes and having the ability to do poses that were "potentially questionable" for my size and thinking how much more amazing it would feel and benefit me to do the poses at a smaller size. This goal was and remains on my list of experiences I am looking forward to. I will say, remember @Bypass2Freedom it's about healthy movement so to me... any and everything counts.

Hello everyone! I discovered this forum a couple of weeks ago and have found it really helpful (so thank you!) but this is my first time posting. I’m scheduled to have a gastric bypass on September 12, and I’m really anxious and somewhat doubtful. I’m half way through my 2 week pre-op diet (2 shakes, 2 snacks, 1 meal, no carbs); I started 2 days late but still, I haven’t lost a thing. Anyone else experience this? what if it’s the same after the surgery? What if my body’s just broken from gaining and losing so many times? a little context: I’m female, 39 years old, and weigh 266.4 lbs. it’s the biggest I’ve ever been. I have three children, but after my second son passed away at birth in 2020, I was put on antidepressants which I take religiously. Early this year I was also diagnosed with ADHD and put on meds, and the loss of appetite and focus cut my food intake in half— still did not lose any weight.

This may kind kinda crazy but have you tried just walking in your house. I have been doing an outdoor walk too now but I started with little five minute walks back and forth in my house from one end to the other. At first I wasn’t really logging them, just trying to prevent blood clots but I decided to start wearing my watch that logs my activity and five minutes is a quarter of a mile!! Work up to four times a day and that’s a mile right there. If you get to where you can do 20 minutes at once then you can probably make it around the block. It is hot but I have been going just before it gets dark and I walk in and jump in the shower. I’m telling you it feels so good to get started and being outside and the endorphins from the activity are so good for your mood. I talked to my therapist today and she is amazed at how great I am doing. I know that I’ve still got a ways to go and I may need encouragement to stick with it since one week it isn’t exactly a habit yet. But I am so proud of myself and that is an amazing motivator. This is coming from someone who hasn’t exercised at all in YEARS. You just have to get past that first time and it gets so much easier. Just set small goals so that you can achieve them and that should keep you going. If you don’t have one, these watches are pretty great too. It’s almost like a game trying to beat yesterdays goal.

Today was one week since I started out walking and I have been slowly increasing. I hit 10K steps just now. I did a few short indoor walks and a 43 minute outdoor walk (twice around the block) before it started pouring) it has added up to 4.64 miles according to my watch!! I basically decided that everytime my alarm goes off to take my vitamins I would walk back and forth from one end of the house to the other for 5 minutes at least. Ooh and I dropped two pounds today!!

Had my surgeons appointment this afternoon and all went well. I’d dropped another kilo since my dietitians’ appointment a couple of weeks ago - yay! The surgeon was lovely and very approachable. The surgeon asked if I’d chosen a particular surgery and asked my reasons for it. I told him “Bypass please” and explained my thinking. He was happy and didn’t see any reason why I couldn’t have the Bypass. He then explained absolutely everything to me as we went through the consent form plus drew a couple of diagrams for me so he was extremely thorough! I felt very at ease and confident in what he was explaining. Obviously it helped that I had guidance from this forum plus had done wider reading too so nothing was a surprise even when he was explaining things that could go wrong and what steps they take to rectify any problems. It was comforting to know that they seem extremely pro-active in sorting things out and they don’t leave their patients to flounder on their own should they need help. So, next steps…the MDT meets weekly, generally on a Friday, so my case should be heard next week. He said that none of my tests have flagged anything up, the dietitian was happy with me plus I was taking some proactive steps myself so there shouldn’t be any issues and I should progress through to surgery. I asked how long the wait was without getting a cancellation and he said 20 weeks from now so that will mean mid to end of January next year. I did stress that I would be more than happy to take a cancellation which he noted. The only problem, he said, was making sure that I still had 3 weeks to complete the LRD as sometimes the cancellations are too close to the actual day of surgery. I’m feeling happy generally with everything. I’ve done all my stuff so now it’s down to the hospital. I have my granddaughters birthday party tomorrow, our anniversary dinner on the 15th and then I’m free and clear really. I feel I can relax a bit now. I’m as prepared as I possibly can be short of actually having the surgery! So exciting isn’t it??

Interesting question! I don't have a ton of routine when it comes to meals, with the possible exception of breakfast. Most days I eat a yogurt parfait with Greek yogurt, fresh berries & protein boosted Kind brand granola. That said, I'm not opposed to other things like banana nut pancakes (a favorite), or even cold pizza on occasion! Lunch is most often leftovers from dinner since we still haven't figured out how to cook 1.5 meals (half for me, whole for my wife). Dinner is super varied. We both like to cook and like good food, so it might be just about anything. That said, I have found that I just don't enjoy big slabs of meat anymore. We do occasionally have red meat, but it's probably once a week or less. I'd say we have seafood based dinners 3-4 times a week and 1-2 vegetarian meals per week. I also eat a lot more beans than I used to. Overall, I don't focus much on macros. It's more about eating a variety of healthy foods and enjoying what little I can eat. As far as activity, there is no typical day. It can vary from nothing at all (I do one dedicated rest day a week), to running 12-14 miles or more on my long run day. In a typical week, I run 30-40 miles (my main sport), but I also do strength training a couple days a week and do a little bit of cross training either on the bike or on a stationary rower. Later in the year I'm thinking of starting a marathon training block. If so, I'll be increasing my mileage up into the 50-60 MPW range. I think one of the main reasons my diet may differ from the "typical" post WLS diet is because of the high activity level I have. I just wouldn't be physically able to do that volume of running without eating a lot more carbs to fuel my runs. In fact, getting enough calories is my current challenge, not getting too many. That's another topic for another day however!

Yes, the ulcers were definitely the culprits. I had an EGD (upper scope) to confirm it. I was slowly bleeding out. The weekly IV-iron infusions haven't shown any rapid results. I've been told that this is a slow process and could take weeks, if not months, before my labs are in ideal ranges. My hemoglobin is no longer in the fives. It is only in the eights, but that's progress. I am still dragging. No energy. I am a food pantry volunteer. I also provide transportation to at least three families who don't have a car. A homeless man named Gordon relies on me to help him with enough water and protein-rich canned food for the week. My husband keeps telling me that I can't help anyone unless I help myself (heal) first. It's hard for me to do that. It was during one of these pantry trips that I passed out in the parking lot (while in the lineup car queue for assistance). I hadn't been diagnosed at that point, so it was quite scary. Fortunately, one of the families I pick up for was with me. Who knows what would have happened had I been alone... I have other conditions that helped to mask the problem. For one, I have Hashimoto's, a common thyroid disorder. I was used to being fatigued from that. I am also a chronic pain patient and take heavy doses of morphine, so I am used to being in pain (and anemia hurts.) My daughter is a PharmD and two of my three sons are M.D.s so I have plenty of support and knowledge in my corner. My primary doctor is also my youngest son's medical school classmate. She is like a daughter to me... Which just goes to show that a person can have all these medical types in your life... and STILL succumb to something like this.

So tonight is night 6’of my nightly walks. Well today I was told to split it into more shorter walks so i did one around the house this morning and a little longer one tonight. It’s going well I’m up to like 8K steps so far today which is probably like 7,500 more than before. 😂 My goal is 10K a day by the end of month three. I wanted it to be month two but the nurse said I need to wait till 6 weeks to walk too fast and to increase slowly after that so it may happen before 3 month but I want to promise long and deliver short. It’s pretty funny watching my trends though on my fitness watch. I pretty much sit still except when I do exercise. I was thinking maybe every three hours when my warm goes off to take my vitamins I may start walking around the house for 5 minutes. Just because that’s better for my heart and it will increase my steps.

Double check with your team before incorporating any weights. My team said no intense exercise till 6 weeks and 8’weeks for any weights. I am a month out and called today and asked if it was okay to go up to an hour walking around the neighborhood (which I actually did last night but then read about waiting until six weeks and got scared). She said one hour collectively is fine but she would rather see me break that into two or three shorter walks so today I did 15 minutes in the morning and planned to do 30 tonight but I judged it wrong and it was 45. It’s a leisurely walk though. Not at all fast so I think it’s fine. in terms of the drinking an eating, some peoples pouches are more inflamed and it takes a little longer for the swelling to go down. You will be able to drink and eat bigger sips and bites eventually. Never the same as before but bigger. It can feel like a bit of a full time job to get In all the vitamins, protein and fluids for a while but it gets easier. As long as you are not drinking or eating past when you feel full, it sounds like you are doing fine!! And tell your husband he is awesome too for walking with you!! Mine encourages me, and like tonight he made my Salmon on the grill while I was gone but he never offered to actually go with me.

Hello everyone, Yesterday, offically was my third week post surgery. I have been walking at least 2 miles M-F with my husband and feel I have my activity under control. I am working towards starting my strength training exercises. Really need to work on my Triceps and my thighs. I have lost about 20lbs post surgery date not sure if this is common loss or if others have lost more. I struggle with my pureed diet, I feel like I eat all day long. Takes about 2 hours to drink a protein smoothie in the morning, then worry about my H20 intake, then trying to get my meals in. According, to my Pureed stage, I am suppose to have a protein shake in the morning, then pureed lunch, then another protein shake for a snack a couple of hours later, the pureed for dinner. I feel as if I am eating all day. Takes so long to get through a smoothie with sips and pureed meals are 1/2 cup which is supposed to take about 30 minutes to eat. Am I doing something wrong? I have a Bariatician appointment next week hopefully will get some more information. Just want to make sure I dont stretch or doing anything adversely to my stomach pouch. Thank you in advance for any advice.