As a pre-op bogie golfer, I often wonder whether I am struggling with my game of golf or my weight. I am glad to see you were able to play a short time after your surgery and you are looking to play more. I was worried about the effect of the twisting motion around my waist. I am hoping the reduced weight will allow me a better swing and eventually better scores. Thanks for the encouragement. Ed

Since this board is not very active, I feel it's ok to post this here for you few golfers. So I stopped playing golf about 2 years ago after I had my aortic valve replaced and gained about 40 pounds. I blamed it on my tightness due to the muscles in my chest but it really was because I was worn out from carrying all the weight around. Well I played maybe 5 times in the last 2 years (all capt choice tournies) where I simply hit the ball as hard as possible and made some decent shots. I maybe played twice for myself - trying to score and see how well I play. Since surgery in March, I've now played twice. First round was an 85 and I couldn't make a putt. Last Friday evening, I met my usual Saturday group and we played (only planned on 9 but we made it an entire round before rain and darkness fell) and I shot a smooth 80! That's pretty decent for me and I have a ways to go to get decent again but I also had 4 birdies. I once was a 2 handicap player and played on my college team. I was a steady 7-9 handicap for the last 10 years and played at least once a week and usually one other 9 holes on a weeknight. It seems my life is getting back to normal with this WLS and I'm really enjoying playing again. I can't wait until the rain stops coming on the weekends and I can get back into te groove and shooting in the 70's again! Don't give up! It gets better! Dave

Mary: I had lap RNY on March 21. I played my first round last Saturday morning (shot an 85 - not too bad for only 5 rounds last year). I was playing about 90 full rounds a year (a true 6 handicap****il I got so big I couldn't comfortably play or walk around the course. My surgeon said I could have played the week before but it was chilly and little league baseball games got in the way. If you're having an open surgery, I'd wait at least 6-8 weeks before doing anything. You can putt around but I would not recommend swinging a club. You need to have your surgeon release you to do something like that and after I had a previous surgery, 6-8 weeks was about right and what was recommended. Even then you have to be feeling better and I bet you still will be sore. Good luck! Dave

Sorry for taking so long to reply!!Thanks for the input the courses are open here now (starting last month!!!!!!) I Have been to the range and did just fine still would like to see a pro this fall just to fine toon my swing for the winter . Thanks again dan

Hi Dan, You will definitely be swinging those clubs better this season. I would wait and see how your swing feels before running to a pro. You will still be loosing all through the spring and summer so if you try and adjust at the beginning of the season, by the end of the season you will need even more adjustment. Just get out and enjoy the game and your new endurance in the beginning. that will be a while for us here in Ohio - we have over a foot of snow on the ground right now. But spring is COMMING!!!! Happy swinging Char