Newbie with questions. Help please. - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Kaly · 11-17-2009, 05:57 PM

Does sticking to a tough regimen of exercise post op help with the excess skin? If not, what does?

What do you do about your PMS cravings? Alternatives?

Has anyone found the perfect sippy cup for the constant drinking post op?

I saw in the thread "What I wish I knew before WLS" that someone said they wish they'd known not to invest so much money in protein drinks. What's the alternative? What's your favorite protein drink?

HELP!

Hychap2009 · 11-17-2009, 06:11 PM

Hello there and welcome to TT. I'm sure you'll find the support and info you require right here at TT.

Good luck.

poet_kelly · 11-17-2009, 06:14 PM

Exercise will not help much with excess skin. Exercise can tighten flabby muscles, but it doesn't do much for skin. When we are obese, we actually grow extra skin. Once you've grown extra skin, you cannot ungrow it. If you have a lot of excess skin, the only thing you can do about it is have it removed with plastic surgery.

I don't know what you crave when you have PMS, but you can probably find healthy alternative. If you crave chocolate, you can have a chocolate protein shake, make chocolate protein ice cream, or have sugar free chocolate pudding, for example.

I didn't drink out of a sippy cup post-op. I just used a regular drinking glass

The alternative to spending a ton of money on protein shakes you might not like is to order samples. Wait until you see what you like after surgery, then stock up. My favorite is Chike. You can get samples at Chike Nutrition - Best Tasting Meal Replacement Shake. Guaranteed. Pour, Shake, Drink & Go!. You can get samples of lots of different brands at Vitalady.com - Protein Supplements, Vitamins & Minerals, and Safe Snacks!.

Kelly

Kaly · 11-18-2009, 03:47 AM

Thank you for the welcome Hychap2009!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by poet_kelly

Exercise will not help much with excess skin. Exercise can tighten flabby muscles, but it doesn't do much for skin. When we are obese, we actually grow extra skin. Once you've grown extra skin, you cannot ungrow it. If you have a lot of excess skin, the only thing you can do about it is have it removed with plastic surgery.

I don't know what you crave when you have PMS, but you can probably find healthy alternative. If you crave chocolate, you can have a chocolate protein shake, make chocolate protein ice cream, or have sugar free chocolate pudding, for example.

I didn't drink out of a sippy cup post-op. I just used a regular drinking glass

The alternative to spending a ton of money on protein shakes you might not like is to order samples. Wait until you see what you like after surgery, then stock up. My favorite is Chike. You can get samples at Chike Nutrition - Best Tasting Meal Replacement Shake. Guaranteed. Pour, Shake, Drink & Go!. You can get samples of lots of different brands at Vitalady.com - Protein Supplements, Vitamins & Minerals, and Safe Snacks!.

Kelly

Thank you Kelly for the info. I'll check out the samples. I always appreciate helpful links.

Josephine · 11-18-2009, 03:58 AM

I'm one that thinks exercise does help with excess skin. The big reason I think this is because if you're exercising everyday, you're gonna be drinking lots of water and eating lots of protein to fuel your body and keep you hydrated. I think exercise, water, and protein consumption work together to evolve your body and protect your organs from the weightloss, and skin is an organ.

It's not gonna get rid of all the skin issues, but I do think it definitely helps to tighten you up more than you would be without it.

My favorite protein drink is twisted cherry from syntrax nectar. I put a big scoop in a liter of water and mix in half a packet of dollar store lemonade. 26g of protein and helps me get in a liter of water as well. I do this at least once a day, twice a day if I worked out more than an hour.

Kaly · 11-18-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephine

I'm one that thinks exercise does help with excess skin. The big reason I think this is because if you're exercising everyday, you're gonna be drinking lots of water and eating lots of protein to fuel your body and keep you hydrated. I think exercise, water, and protein consumption work together to evolve your body and protect your organs from the weightloss, and skin is an organ.

It's not gonna get rid of all the skin issues, but I do think it definitely helps to tighten you up more than you would be without it.

My favorite protein drink is twisted cherry from syntrax nectar. I put a big scoop in a liter of water and mix in half a packet of dollar store lemonade. 26g of protein and helps me get in a liter of water as well. I do this at least once a day, twice a day if I worked out more than an hour.

I think you made a good point and so did Kelly. I think the skin issue is the biggest "worry" I have right now. I'm committed to everything else... but I don't know if I will be able to afford PS to remove the skin. So I was hoping there was something I could do along the way to help myself.

And I'll check out the syntrax nectar... that sounds yummy!

Thanks

Corrine · 11-18-2009, 10:53 AM

I don't believe that exercise does anything for loose skin. Having said that, having some toned muscles underneath certainly makes the whole package look better.

I'm 2+ years out and closer to 55 than I feel.

Take a look at my progression pictures - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum - Corrine's Album: My tummy at 5 days (drain and all), at 13 months and then after emergency surgery

Start at the bottom right and work backwards. It took some hard work and time but I think the results are good considering my starting weight, my age, 2 babies (C-sections) and 2 abdominal surgeries (within 11 months).

katzz87 · 11-18-2009, 10:54 AM

Does sticking to a tough regimen of exercise post op help with the excess skin? If not, what does? I think exercising definitely HELPS with the saggy skins issues...but it doesn't completely get rid of it. Especially if you are older and have been over-weight most of your life. But I feel I look pretty good for an "old woman".

What do you do about your PMS cravings? Alternatives? Since I no longer have periods, PMS is not an issue. The only alternative (and so highly NOT recommended) is to have a hysterectomy. Just kidding!!

Has anyone found the perfect sippy cup for the constant drinking post op? I just bought the kids sippy cups but did NOT sip using the lids. I was afraid of getting too much air in my pouch.

I saw in the thread "What I wish I knew before WLS" that someone said they wish they'd known not to invest so much money in protein drinks. What's the alternative? Find one, maybe two proteins that you like and see how your tastes MAY change after surgery. I liked the Isopure fruity flavors the first 3 days post-op and couldn't gag them down after that. Everyone is different! What's your favorite protein drink? My favorite drink early post op was the Dutch Chocolate Isopure from GNC...now I buy the creamy vanilla flavored Premiem Prorated brand from Costco add some sugar-free caramel flavoring with ice and blend away...oh, so good!

bezobraz · 11-18-2009, 10:58 AM

It is hard to tell how much excercise helps with the skin. I do believe that weight training and martial art classes made my arms, legs and shoulders look very good.

One thing I can tell you it definetly makes a diference in how you look and what is more important how you FEEL!!

Try lots of new sports, go for a dance class ... HAVE FUN!

-tonya

KellyinGermany · 11-18-2009, 11:07 AM

great questions!
I don't think exercise can hurt! The people I have seen (on youtube) and know personally, who have the "best skin", exercise.
I also think age is a factor.
I have started exercising more, drinking protein shakes and trying to change my "mindset" about food. I figure since I will have to do it a few months, it can't hurt to start now!
I also agree with the previous poster, exercise will make you feel better, no matter where you are in this process.