ReubenH216

Hello to everyone here!

New to this site and I just found this particular forum for the BIG GUYS!

Reason I'm here is simple, going in for weight loss surgery next month (Lap Band) and I need to change my eating and non exercising habits not only for me but for my whole family.

Doctors want me to walk 3-4 times a week before surgery to lose weight, which I really hate because of the strain on the knees, back, ankles etc...But I know it has to be done no matter what. But it's afterwards is what I'm really concerned about.

I need to continue exercising post-op for the rest of my life if I want to live. Currently I'm 411lbs. @ 6ft. Since I really don't like walking, never have, never will but I'm very thankful I still can, I think riding would be the best option not only for me but for my wife and kids too.

My questions is this, I'm on a budget (+/- $500) with a little give not much but some, what is the "best" bike for guys my size on a budget?

I want to ride with my family so I figured a cruiser style bike that is comfortable were I can ride more upright then leaning over with 3 or more speeds for riding uphill, mostly street, sidewalks, paved trials. Nice comfortable seat for my large back side.

Just looking to get into the sport for now and hopefully upgrade to a better bike later down the road.

Thanks for any and all helpful suggestions,
Reuben

ShortLegCyclist

You didn't ask about this, but are you sure about lap band? The failure/recurrent weight gain stats with that operation are very discouraging. Sleeves and gastric bypass do much better long term.

But, if band it is, you are taking the right approach with lifestyle changes to match.

At 411 lbs I'd recommend swimming as a great option -- easiest exercise on the joints for sure, and if you do that PLUS cycling, you could avoid what happens if you never vary your workouts, you tend to get efficient at them and thus burn fewer calories. This is the whole idea behind exercise regimens that change up on your body all the time like P90x.

Wheel strength as well as frame strength will be an issue at 411 pounds so I'd recommend a 26" wheeled bike as these are stronger than 700c wheels (the smaller the stronger in general).

A used mountain bike from the 90's strikes me as a good option, they were very rugged, use 26" wheels, sit you upright and are available in your price range. Then you can "move up" in the equipment world if you find you enjoy it.

CACycling

+1 A quality used bike from that era will be well within budget. Make sure it fits and don't think a soft saddle will make your butt less sore. Only time in the saddle will do that. And consistency is the key. Don't worry about how far you ride, just ride often. The miles will come.

dagray

at 411 get a good mountain bike and put some street tires on it. Check you bike shop for used bikes that are in good condition.

ride 30 minutes a day threeor four times a week (or more if you can), drink a gallon or more of plain water a day, watch your carbohydrate intake (but make sure you eat enough good carbs.... vegetables, fruits).

I was at 400 in March 2014 and now am at 357 and riding a road bike.

If I can become a healthier me with diet, exercise then so can anyone.

oh and I allow myself to have treats like Pizza, or a piece of pie once in a while too.

Clyde1820

^ This.



Not all in the era were equally rugged or well-built, of course, but many were exceptional.

Something like, oh, the Trek 950 or 970, for example, which pop up regularly on CraigsList and elsewhere. Came with solid components. Put on a suitable seat, get the fit right via stem and bar, and you should be set. Can acquire and tweak for <$500, if you find the right bike to work with. Bikes of this type and era will tend to have wheels built to withstand the punishment of MTB use, which will be suitable for a heavier rider.

MikeRides

Out of curiosity what condition is the Giant Sedona in? With a small budget, I would think your best bet would be to have it professionally overhauled (new cables, chain, grease bearings and cable housings), perhaps a set of stronger wheels (high tensioned spoke count) and just ride. Like aforementioned I'd steer clear of "large, comfortable saddles" - anything with Gel or "suspension" will be uncomfortable over distance.

DelsFan

I dislike walking too, and at 220 lbs I "could" run but like that even less (and don't want the impact, I get enough of that on the tennis courts).

I agree with ShortLegCyclist about the swimming - it is the best form of low impact exercise there is... But I don't seem to make the effort to get to the local pool (which is 15 minutes away, has 20 lanes, and costs a mere $0.80/day for seniors).

Not trying to put words in the doctor's/surgeon's mouth, but I expect what they want from you in the next month is to do something, as opposed to nothing. I could be wrong, but I'd think the number one thing you could do to help with recovery after surgery would be to strengthen (even a little) your lungs through (light) aerobic exercise. (Take that as you will, from a guy with a Civil Engineering degree, who is not a Doctor of Medicine.) Losing weight would be great, but I'd say you can only lose so much weight in a month, whereas if you haven't had your heart rate above 100 for the last months/years walking or riding for 20 or 45 minutes (respectively) might generate a great improvement (percentage wise) in lung capacity. After surgery they will want you to (suck on the incentive spirometer!) get up and walk and exercise right away (in many cases the next day, if you are lucky - the same day if you are not!). So, anything you do in the next four weeks (without overdoing it) will help you recover from anesthesia (lung capacity) and allow you to not have to start exercising from scratch (muscle tone, etc.).

I read a book a good while back, possibly titled "Walk Yourself Thin", the premise of which, for overweight people beginning an exercise program, was: "Walk as far as you can as fast as you can." If you can only do 20 minutes, fine, do that and graduate to 30 minutes when it is sensible. I'm new to this forum, looking to purchase my first bike in 40 years - for enjoyment, and a little exercise. Relating to an upcoming surgery though, my encouragement would be, for the next month, ride or walk or swim a little every day - and a month after your surgery you will have benefitted from a big head start. Good Luck.


Your new friend:

Haff

If walking hurts a lot I'm not sure how much you are going to like sitting upright on a 2-wheel bike. You may want to consider a recumbent trike. It lets you sit on a much more comfortable seat, includes back and optional neck support. Less strain all around, but super easy to get some good exercise. You are a tad over the limit at the moment, but the Terratrike Rover is rated to 400 lbs. By the time you recover from the surgery enough to exercise you should be under that weight.

TerraTrike

wvrick

I can no longer walk any distance and walking for exercise is out for me, same for swimming but really wish I could since I've been a diver since 1984. But due to my legs and the way the skin is I can't keep them in water or walking cracks the skin. Cycling...YES, and I've just been going a couple months. I was a unknown weight over 400 lbs because my scales will read to 405 and above read error "E". Last week I hit my scales and in one week lost 11 lbs. I rode my terratrike Rover trike, and 02' Giant Boulder SE. The Giant has steel frame and 36 spoke double rim's and does great, never a problem with it. My brother just started riding a Specialized Rockhopper ( real early model) and he is 378. I use Sparkpeople online diet planner and it works well. The main thing is eat right and ride.

bassjones

This. My surgeon won't even do lap band anymore. I had the Sleeve 7 months ago and would highly encourage you to talk to your doc about which procedure you're doing. If he's still pushing the lap
band, I'd find another surgeon.

bassjones

Two reasons for them wanting you to exercise and lose weight prior to any bariatric surgery - well, 3 really, but one is more a psychological reason.

1. As has already been said, exercising helps build your cardiovascular system which will help with recovery from surgery and help prevent pneumonia.
2. Losing weight shrinks your liver - along with stopping all alcohol, sugar and other toxins intake. Drink a lot of water and eat super clean. The more you lose, the better your liver will be and this will reduce the risks of complications from bariatric surgery.
3. Working hard to lose 10-15 lbs in 8-12 weeks pre-op shows a dedication to losing and increases your chances of keeping it off long-term.

ColaJacket

If you get a MTB, then you might want to make sure that it either doesn't have a front suspension or has a lockout on the front suspension.

Clydes do bad things to most suspensions.

GH

ReubenH216

First off thanks for your welcomed commits ShortLegCyclist, really the only two reasons I'm considering Lap Band is because I really do not want to get cut on (losing 80% of my stomach) and I really do not like the thought of going under anesthesia! My primary doctor recommended the sleeve but ultimately its my decision. I'm having an office visit this week and I will talk to him again about the pros and cons about lap band vs. sleeve. This much I know with the sleeve I will lose more weight faster with this procedure then the lap but as you know the stomach is a muscle and muscle can stretch back to its original size if one does not keep up with the new life style change.

ReubenH216

Thanks CACyling, I keep hearing about the saddle really does not help, I find that kind of strange but you guys that have been riding way more then I have, I trust your judgment and advise since I'm a newbe.

ReubenH216

Thanks dagray for your commits and congrats on the weight lose 43lb. is something to be very proud of, keep up the good and hard work. Pizza and pie hmmmmmm...very tempting but alas this is not part of the new diet plan for now but in a couple of years?

ReubenH216

Thanks Clyde1820 I keep hearing about the Treks, might have to re-consider one of these?

ReubenH216

Thanks MikeRides, the Sedona I think it's in great shape for its age (15+) other then wheels which need replacing because of tire rot. Never ridden hard or rough, never been laid down or crashed, I would grease the chain from time to time, just was ridden from time to time then hung up in the garage for storage, but other then that everything works on the bike. The only time its been professional set up is when I purchased it. But this too is a viable option that I need to look into considering the budget?

ShortLegCyclist

The main thing is a lifelong lifestyle change. Lap Band fails in the US (it has much better numbers in Australia and in Europe) because some patients seem to believe the surgery will take care of everything and they can just not worry about changing themselves, and anyone taking that approach is doomed to fail. What the lap band does is give you a kickstart and its up to you from there.

I didn't have as much weight as you to lose but I lost 110 pounds from a high of 270 with calorie control and cycling, no surgery. The key is keeping it off... the key to that is that your new lifestyle, diet, exercise regimen, everything, must not be torture, it must be something you can embrace and keep up the rest of your life.

98% of people who lose as much weight as I have using diet and exercise will regain every ounce within 5 years, that is the single biggest justification for bariatric surgery, and even that has a 60" regain rate, all comers.

The good news is, most of those who fail, and regain weight, whether after surgery or using diet and exercise, will do so within the first six months. So if you make it a year, year and a half out without regaining weight, which is where I am now, the odds of keeping the weight off go way up in our favor.

I was on a 1700 calorie a day diet for a year while I was losing weight, and now am on a 2400 calorie maintenance plan in perpetuity. If you can't be happy on 2400 calories a day, it's very hard to not regain weight, even if you are exercising regularly. But one thing I've heard over and over again and which came true for me as that being more active, cycling 125-150 miles a week like I am now, actually changes the foods you crave. I wouldn't take deep fried anything now if you gave it to me free, and I snack on carrots and broccoli and cauliflower, which I would have turned up my nose at in my heavy days. So cycling/exercise does make it easier... but just like surgery, don't expect spending calories in exercise to allow you to eat anything you want, the key to weight loss is calorie control, period, no matter what fancy name, Paleo, Atkins, Sugarbusters, etc they give it.

ReubenH216

Hey DelsFan thanks for posting. I used to be very active, playing baseball, softball, tennis at times, swimming, lifting weights 5 times a week. But after blowing out my back at work and blowing out my left Achilles tendon while playing softball I really had an excuse not to be active anymore and to be honest I just got more fat and really lazy! Like what your saying about the surgeon they want me to move around and get my heart rate up as opposed to setting in front of the boob tube and veg out like a sloth! Something is better then nothing. Really taking your advice to heart and will be looking into the things you mentioned. Thanks.

ReubenH216

Thanks Haff for the advise, I thought a recumbent bike would be out of may price range but considering the cost of a funeral these days this alternative would be a lot cheaper! Something to seriously consider.
Thank you.

ReubenH216

Thanks for the pics wvrick way to go on the 11lbs.! Keep up the hard work! So tell me, you being a big gentlemen such as myself how comfortable is the recumbent to ride? Looks real comfy to me but actually riding it is something totally different. Do you slip out of the seat? Also, are you dieting also or just exercising? Because any advise from someone my size would be greatly appreciative. Like I said I'm going to change my life style by eating right and exercising again. I'm not going through the pain and cost of surgery for nothing and once it's done theirs no turning back and I want this no I need this change to be a lifetime success story for myself, wife and more importantly my two girls.

DelsFan

I'm going to go out and do "something" right now! My Engineering Degree did not cover the fact that no anesthesia is required for your particular procedure - so no incentive spirometer for you! But I hope you do well, and yes, building up your lungs a little and shaking (presumed) rust off the muscles in the next month will help even with a more minor procedure. Best of luck.

ReubenH216

Thanks bassjones for the heads up. My primary doctor recommended the sleeve but like I said in another post I don't like the idea of having 80% of the stomach removed and I really do not like the anesthesia really scares the hell out of me having my life in someone else hands. With that being said I know with either procedure I choose I will have to go under. So please tell me and please do not sugar coat it, how bad was the pain from the sleeve procedure? I can tolerate pain, I walked on my leg for a week with a total ruptured Achilles tendon for a week! In your case how long did the pain last and what was you recovery time?

Haff

I know you didn't ask me, but I ride a terratrike cruiser. Same company as the rover, different model. I started riding it when I was about 345 or so (well above the published weight limit, but I called terratrike and they told me I should be fine)

No, you will not slip out of the seat. Yes, it is comfy. You WILL want to get clipless pedals if you get a tadpole trike. If your feet slip off and fold under the trike while riding that would suck. (some people call this "foot suck"). The only tough part could be standing up after a ride, but the rover is high enough it shouldn't be much worse than standing from a chair. If I had to do it over again, I would have picked up the rover. I give the trike a lot of credit to helping me start losing weight.

ReubenH216

Thanks again bassjones for the second reply, I didn't think about the building up your cardiovascular system aspect, knew about the liver and I don't drink alcohol but I do drink that evil drink called soda water/coke and down here in Texas we have this especially evil drink but oh so delicious called Big Red. Giving up sodas is the hardest for me to give up but oh so necessary if I want this be successful. I thought about the dedication aspect of it from me to show the doctors that I am serious about this and keeping this weight off long term is my ultimate goal.