Does it really make a difference?

I am hoping for a revision to VSG after seeing my surgeon next month.  I feel so hopeful that he will agree to what I want AND that somehow, I can afford it right away.  Affording it is a big stretch for me but I have huge dreams of having this surgery and making my goal weight.

I just have to ask you vets this question because in my entire adult life, I do not know the answer!

After you reach goal, or even after the first 6 months, do you feel the difference in how and how long you can walk?  Can you now run when you couldn't before?  I imagine that when I reach goal, walking will be no issue because I will be gliding across the ground having lost all this weight.  But I have no idea if that is true so here I am, asking all of you.

Yes and yes.  I used to get tired fast and not walk a whole lot at one time.  Now, I backpack 8-10 miles a day on mixed elevation.  I could run, but don't like to.  I do the elliptical instead.

WOW!!  I sooo look forward to this!  Thank you!

I'm 8 months out and can tell a HUGE difference in my energy and abilities. I would have NEVER had the confidence to try running pre op, but I just bought my first pair of running shoes and am, at this moment, in the midst of putting together a new treadmill :)

And, over the years I have purchased and given away 2 treadmills because it just hurt too much to continue on them.  Thank you!

Yes, all of that, and it won't take you six months.

Here's my advice (with my story at the end):

Start walking as far as you can immediately after surgery.  It'll be rough going just right after, but go slow and push yourself.  You need this anyway to help prevent bloods clots after surgery.

As you push, some, joints, especially hips might be sore.  Expect that and know that "soreness" will pass.  Don't stop pushing for more and more distance.  Make time for it, especially on the weekends.  Go to the mall and window shop for the future, go in circles, just keep pushing your step count up.  If you can, buy a Fitbit Force and use that tool to track progress.  You can decide when to transition to running.

When I started this I got winded walking to my car after work.  I have a long driveway and would have to take a breather just taking the trash out or getting the mail.  I was in bad shape and knew it was either fix it or die young as a result of obesity.

Right after surgery I walked and walked.  Mostly on weekends, but I also tried to boost my step count on workdays.  Within three months there was no amount of walking that was a challenge, so already I was better off.

Around that point I progressed to regular use of my elliptical machine (one of my many failed attempts to cure this in the past).  It wasn't easy at the start, but it wasn't all together hard either due to the walking.  I mainly did this for the next three months.

At six months I set my sight on a 10k which I run in three weeks.  So I hit the YMCA and began the steps for running.  By that time I could handle some running, but of course you do have to build fitness.  No one goes from sedentary to running over night.

I am now basically 2-2.5 months into the training and I can run.  If I run around 5 mph I can run non-stop.  If I pu**** up to 6 mph, I usually run 5 minutes and walk 1-2 minutes, but iI can do this for a while.  Whichever I'm doing I usually do it for 90 minutes now.

Just to say it, in case it wasn't totally clear, the first time I ran in the last 14 years was 1/1/2014.  That was roughly seven months from when I started my pre-op diet, and in the days before that diet started I couldn't walk 400 yards without a breather.

I had my own plan and it worked.  However, I could've take a different route and started running earlier.  You can choose your own path, but to answer your question again, yes you can run and it won't take six months unless you want it to.

Thank you G5x5,

Currently, I couldn't run if I tried because of severe arthritis.  But just the thought of walking and not hauling this weight is more than I can imagine.  I would like to think that, #1 I can have this revision this spring/summer and #2 that I actually WILL be able to run in the near future.  Thank you for your post!

Before my surgery, it was a chore for me to walk from my car to my desk at work, or from my desk to the bathroom.  I mean a CHORE!  Within a month of the surgery, I could walk 3-4 miles a day with no problem at all.  That included hills.  I never take my ability to walk now for granted.

Jane

This is so nice to know!  I am looking forward to it.  Thank you.