Advice needed!!!

[xxsarahxx]

Hi guys...was just wondering what i can do to increase the safety of my surgery. I know i'm still only at the waiting for funding stage but if possible i'd like to start thinking about changing old habits and maybe learning new ones with your help. I'm not very mobile in the fact that i can't continually walk for 3 to 5 minutes without stopping. I can potter around though and somehow this gets me through ok, because of this i don't do alot of exercise and i'm 32 stone so find it hard at times.. Can anyone recommend any changes for the better, small but significant, thanks sarah x

 

[Grace]

Sarah one thing I did last year was to cut out eating sweets and chocolate. I began at Lent last year and then just carried on right up to surgery.

 

[xxsarahxx]

Thanks grace,i jumped on the scales at boots today and weighed in with the intention of today being the last day of sweets, chocolate and biscuits etc. Not sure if that is a tad unrealistic but i figured i wouldn't be able to eat them post op so i'll start preparing myself.

 

[dottychic]

I was diagnosed with diabetes at the beginning of the year so it kind of helped with the preparation for the op really as I had to stop eating anything like sweets cakes and chocolate. I did really well and although it didnt make me loose much weight it really helped prepare me for post-op eating I havnt craved anything sweet etc since my bypass. Anything you can do now will help....small steps XX

 

[Jane]

I cut down on sweet and high fat foods after Xmas, and then from my pre-op appointment (13 Jan) have stopped eating spread, chocolate, sweets (except a couple of low sugar ones), cakes etc, so basically following a low fat diet.

I was not able to exercise much either because of problems with breathing, but since having my cpap machine and doing a little bit more each day, I can now walk for 30-45 minutes on a good day.

It's surprising how much just little changes could help.

 

[Podgie]

Hi Sarah, I'm at the stage now where I need to start to cut down my sugar intake as well as my bread, crisps, pasties the lot lols. I'm down to 24stone from 25 stone(jan 2010) but I find it hard to walk long distances. and really do the shopping, pains in my back and such like, I bought an excersise bike and I'm trying to do 10mins a day on it just to get my heart rate up.
I'm on the list now(still a good 6mths to go) but to help my surgery want to cut out all the crap.
I'm starting wiv diet coke, and instead if taking chocolate to work im taking fruit. Don't get me wrong, it's hard and today Iv had a wobble, but Iv drawn a line under it and my next meal is where it counts.
I'm just taking it one day at a time.

Take care and keep in touch xxxx

 

[Big an Bouncy]

1 write a journal
2 get weightloss surgery for dummies
3 change the way you shop/cook
4 eat your breakfast
5 eat regularly
6 drink plenty water
7 do deep breathing exercizes
8 get a rubber resistance band and exercise in your chair
9 treat yourself nice toiletries etc
10 cut your portion sizes
11 swim if you can
12 shop on line your not tempted so easily
13 tell freinds you prefer flowers or toiletries for presents
14 try new foods at least one every week
15 find low fat/sugar alternatives
16 experiment with herbs/spices
17 get plenty of sleep
18 have a prescription review,sometimes we no longer need some medication or needs adjusting.
19 have plenty of me time
20 keep posting on here!
Just suggestions that have helped me,Maz x

 

[Podgie]

Wow thanks maz, I'm going to do Yr list it looks easy when it in black and White and infront of you instead of being in Yr head all jumbled up xxxxx

 

[Grace]

Yeah, great choice Maz. I tried to give you rep but it won't let me.

 

[Big an Bouncy]

Thanks guys guess its my list making skills!lol Maz x

 

[penguina]

Fantastic list, thank you, I am going to print it off now. xx

 

[emergingbutterfly]

Hi Sarah

First of all I want to say I admire your honesty and bravery for telling us how much you weigh. I was on this site for over a year before I admitted that I was over 33 stone at my heaviest and one of the reasons I did was I wanted to reach out and support others over 30 stone as I think we have extra issues to deal with the bigger we are.

I agree with the list above and think that main thing you have to do to prepare yourself is learn how to look after yourself. Sounds easy and simple but for me I am a people pleaser and tend to put other people's needs before my own and also put myself out for their approval. I am not saying for a moment you do that but you have to be number one in your life now in order to make the most of this most precious gift you will be given. My weight only goes down when I focus on myself and in the past year I can see times when I have stalled and they are the times that other's needs have come before mine.

The hospital etc will tell you to walk 30 mins a day etc before your op. If you can do this that would be great but it may be too much of a struggle for you now (it was for me) and I think any bit of increased excercise is a bonus, be it walking up the stairs an extra time in the day or putting the control in another chair so you have to move a bit more to get it. Only you know how fit you are and what you are capable of doing and just tiny increases will make a difference.

I will probably get shot for saying this but when it comes to physical excercise pre op, I would say if it is too hard, dont worry about it. I didnt. Once the weight starts dropping off (and it will at an amazing rate) you will feel fitter and then you can excercise. It won't happen straight away as you will feel tired constantly after the op but once you feel better you can think about excercise as it will be much easier to do. ( I just did a 5k walk today)

I would also think about your support network. There will be people in your life that like who you are right now and may be resentful of your weight loss. This may not be obvious at this stage but it is worth considering where you will get the most support from and asking them outright to help you.

You are at the start of the most amazing journey of your life, look after number one and remember enjoy it and make the most of it

 

[zns]

You can do chair excercises, ask your GP if they have some they can give you or if they can refer you to someone that can. I was less mobile than you although not quite as heavy I was over 28 stone. x

 

[Kerry Jo]

Some fab advice and support ladies

Buy smaller plates. Try to limit your carbs as these tend to make us hungrier quicker and crave sweet things.

Try and more about a little more, every small bit counts.

Try to drink enough fluid as we confuse thirst with hunger.

Good luck babes you can do this xxx

 

[xxsarahxx]

Hi Sarah

First of all I want to say I admire your honesty and bravery for telling us how much you weigh. I was on this site for over a year before I admitted that I was over 33 stone at my heaviest and one of the reasons I did was I wanted to reach out and support others over 30 stone as I think we have extra issues to deal with the bigger we are.

I agree with the list above and think that main thing you have to do to prepare yourself is learn how to look after yourself. Sounds easy and simple but for me I am a people pleaser and tend to put other people's needs before my own and also put myself out for their approval. I am not saying for a moment you do that but you have to be number one in your life now in order to make the most of this most precious gift you will be given. My weight only goes down when I focus on myself and in the past year I can see times when I have stalled and they are the times that other's needs have come before mine.

The hospital etc will tell you to walk 30 mins a day etc before your op. If you can do this that would be great but it may be too much of a struggle for you now (it was for me) and I think any bit of increased excercise is a bonus, be it walking up the stairs an extra time in the day or putting the control in another chair so you have to move a bit more to get it. Only you know how fit you are and what you are capable of doing and just tiny increases will make a difference.

I will probably get shot for saying this but when it comes to physical excercise pre op, I would say if it is too hard, dont worry about it. I didnt. Once the weight starts dropping off (and it will at an amaxing rate) you will feel fitter and then you can excercise. It wont happen straight away as you will feel tired constantly after the op but once you feel better you can think about excercise as it will be much easier to do. ( I just did a 5k walk today)

I would also think about your support network. They will be people in your life that like who you are right now and may be resentful of your weight loss. This may not be obvious at this stage but it is worth considering where you will get the most support from and asking them outright to help you.

You are at the start of the most amazing journey of your life, look after number one and remember enjoy it and make the most of it

Thanks so much for your reply, it really does help to hear of others that have been in my shoes so to speak. It really gives me hope for the future. Exercise is a challenge at the minute but like you say i can make very small changes that will hopefully help. I also echo your point regarding putting yourself first....it's true!! whenever i have tried in the past to lose weight , if i don't focus on me me me...it's been unsuccessfull and that is because like you i live for other people and not myself. Abit of self discovery today i think. Thanks again x

 

[xxsarahxx]

1 write a journal
2 get weightloss surgery for dummies
3 change the way you shop/cook
4 eat your breakfast
5 eat regularly
6 drink plenty water
7 do deep breathing exercizes
8 get a rubber resistance band and exercise in your chair
9 treat yourself nice toiletries etc
10 cut your portion sizes
11 swim if you can
12 shop on line your not tempted so easily
13 tell freinds you prefer flowers or toiletries for presents
14 try new foods at least one every week
15 find low fat/sugar alternatives
16 experiment with herbs/spices
17 get plenty of sleep
18 have a prescription review,sometimes we no longer need some medication or needs adjusting.
19 have plenty of me time
20 keep posting on here!
Just suggestions that have helped me,Maz x

Thanks maz, i'm gonna write it all down and make sure i take note of each and every one of them x

 

[xxsarahxx]

Hi Sarah, I'm at the stage now where I need to start to cut down my sugar intake as well as my bread, crisps, pasties the lot lols. I'm down to 24stone from 25 stone(jan 2010) but I find it hard to walk long distances. and really do the shopping, pains in my back and such like, I bought an excersise bike and I'm trying to do 10mins a day on it just to get my heart rate up.
I'm on the list now(still a good 6mths to go) but to help my surgery want to cut out all the crap.
I'm starting wiv diet coke, and instead if taking chocolate to work im taking fruit. Don't get me wrong, it's hard and today Iv had a wobble, but Iv drawn a line under it and my next meal is where it counts.
I'm just taking it one day at a time.

Take care and keep in touch xxxx

Hi podgie....you are right in cutting things down one at a time. I think i need to consider this as i was going to go bull at a gate and do it all in one foul swoop, not the best idea for me i think. Thanks for your input and hope you get there soon...probably sooner than me the way things are going x

 

[yorkiegal]

Don't beat yourself up when you occasionally fail. After years of eating those chocolates and sweets it's going to be very hard to stop. If I could give you one tip it would be to try not to let one lapse snowball into several days of overeating. I still struggle with that. So if you have that bar of chocolate don't automatically feel you may as well have another three bars. Just start again and it will get easier.

Walking is the best exercise. If that's difficult for you at present then try moving around more at home. I started by aiming to get up at each commercial break when I was watching tv and move around during that break. Even if it was just lifting some cans with my arms whilst waiting for the kettle to boil, or doing some extra dusting or marching on the spot etc. Every little bit helps. I used to have lots of knee pain and found going up stairs really hard. A year on I'm pain free because I walk every day with my dog. I still have problems with foot pain if I get up after being sat for too long so it really helps me to walk around frequently.

 

[LisaG]

Great list from Maz!!!

Sent from my iPhone using WLSurgery

 

[xxsarahxx]

Don't beat yourself up when you occasionally fail. After years of eating those chocolates and sweets it's going to be very hard to stop. If I could give you one tip it would be to try not to let one lapse snowball into several days of overeating. I still struggle with that. So if you have that bar of chocolate don't automatically feel you may as well have another three bars. Just start again and it will get easier.

Walking is the best exercise. If that's difficult for you at present then try moving around more at home. I started by aiming to get up at each commercial break when I was watching tv and move around during that break. Even if it was just lifting some cans with my arms whilst waiting for the kettle to boil, or doing some extra dusting or marching on the spot etc. Every little bit helps. I used to have lots of knee pain and found going up stairs really hard. A year on I'm pain free because I walk every day with my dog. I still have problems with foot pain if I get up after being sat for too long so it really helps me to walk around frequently.

Thanks, getting up during the breaks is a great idea, i really don't move too much at all. I think because i still work people think i'm more mobile thatn i really are. i cover it up well. x