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Cycling After Bariatric Bypass Surgery

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Cycling After Bariatric Bypass Surgery

Old 04-03-19, 11:34 AM
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Wound healing

I actually want to know how soon i can start riding after surgery. Is there a danger of damaging the incisions. As for the people wondering why this surgery is nessasary well obesity sets its minimum weight very high. I have been riding about 100 miles a week for the last 7 years but cant drop below 280 pounds. My sugery is 10th april 2019.
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Old 04-03-19, 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by CARL TALLAR
I actually want to know how soon i can start riding after surgery. Is there a danger of damaging the incisions. As for the people wondering why this surgery is nessasary well obesity sets its minimum weight very high. I have been riding about 100 miles a week for the last 7 years but cant drop below 280 pounds. My sugery is 10th april 2019.
IMO that's a question for your doctor. I wouldn't trust what is said on a message board and, likely, three is a unique element to every case.

I'm also not sure what you mean by a "minimum weight".
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Old 04-03-19, 04:34 PM
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I'm not in the bariatric surgery game, having a normal BMI. However I do have a touchy stomach and can't eat much on hard rides. I have developed what is for me and many others, an excellent solution (sorry for the pun).

Firstly, folks who think one needs slow acting carbs on a bike ride are all wrong. What you need is a continuous supply of calories. Once one realizes that, the only thing that makes any sense is to consume the carbs which move across the stomach wall the fastest and which have the lowest osmolality. As luck would have it. maltodextrin meets both these requirements. It has a GI of somewhere around 130. I buy it in 50# bags from a homebrew supply house, about one bag/year. It's inexpensive that way.

I mix it 7:1 by weight, with chocolate-flavored whey protein, 7 malto/1 whey. I make up standard 24 oz. bike bottles with from 1/2 c. to 2 c. of this mixture depending on ride length. 2c of powder is about 750 calories. My current favorite whey protein is this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M2X4KM2/

One doesn't actually need the whey for short rides, so another option is plain maltodextrin mixed with water with an ounce or two of Hammer Gel per bottle for flavor, Strawberry is OK.

A good way to consume food and water on a bike ride is to set a timer (my Garmin Edge has one) to some particular time span (I use 15') and take sips from both food and plain water bottles like clockwork. The result is perfectly steady blood sugar and never a stomach upset. One determines how many and how large the sips from experience. Personally, I use hunger as my metric. If I feel hunger, I take more, less if I don't. I take in water according to my experience in the present riding conditions. I also watch my HR on long rides. If it seems lower than it should be for my effort, I drink more food. If higher, I drink more water.

Another discussion is how to reduce the amount of food one needs on a ride. This is done by increasing the percentage of energy derived from body fat. One can train the mitochondria to be more productive and to improve the movement of fatty acids into the blood stream. One does this by riding from 1-3 hours while not eating anything. One starts at the low end and gradually increases the length. I do that regularly on training rides: I don't eat until I notice a performance drop or until I get really hungry. Then I eat a bunch, or in my case, drink half a dozen swallows of food.

The above has worked well for me and many other long distance riders on events, brevets, etc., especially for those who have had a hard time finding something they can tolerate for hour after hour. The above recipes have a very mild flavor and mouth feel, something like rice water and don't taste sweet at all. No mouth burn like one gets from most sports drinks, no nasty taste. You can experiment by buying small quantities online and trying it out to see if this works for you now, before your surgery.

Congratulations on being strong and wanting to take charge of your problems.
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Old 04-04-19, 08:17 AM
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Originally Posted by OBoile
IMO that's a question for your doctor. I wouldn't trust what is said on a message board and, likely, three is a unique element to every case.

I'm also not sure what you mean by a "minimum weight".
Simple it means you can not go below that weight with out surgical intervention. for example i cannot go below 280 pounds/140 kilos . This was explained to me by a proffessor in bariatric surgery.
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Old 04-04-19, 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by CARL TALLAR
Simple it means you can not go below that weight with out surgical intervention. for example i cannot go below 280 pounds/140 kilos . This was explained to me by a proffessor in bariatric surgery.
Oh, well that's false.

It may be psychologically extremely difficult to achieve weight loss beyond a certain point (and there likely is some merit to the "set point" theory), but our bodies don't defy the laws of physics. Were you to, say, spend several years being starved in a POW camp, you'd lose the weight surgery or no.

This isn't to say surgery isn't the right choice for you. Certainly, I'm in no position to offer up any sort of valid opinion on the matter. But, if someone is telling you that the weight loss is impossible (rather than just extremely difficult with a high chance of failure), well you may want to consider questioning their knowledge and/or honesty.
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Old 04-04-19, 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by OBoile
Oh, well that's false.

It may be psychologically extremely difficult to achieve weight loss beyond a certain point (and there likely is some merit to the "set point" theory), but our bodies don't defy the laws of physics. Were you to, say, spend several years being starved in a POW camp, you'd lose the weight surgery or no.

This isn't to say surgery isn't the right choice for you. Certainly, I'm in no position to offer up any sort of valid opinion on the matter. But, if someone is telling you that the weight loss is impossible (rather than just extremely difficult with a high chance of failure), well you may want to consider questioning their knowledge and/or honesty.
As i said the guy is a proffesor. Obesity is a disiese not just a condition and yes it has set my minimum weight. Of cause if you starve yourself you will lose weight but in my case if i eat healthy i wont lose weight. Psychology really isnt whats making it dificult.
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Old 04-04-19, 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by CARL TALLAR
As i said the guy is a proffesor. Obesity is a disiese not just a condition and yes it has set my minimum weight. Of cause if you starve yourself you will lose weight but in my case if i eat healthy i wont lose weight. Psychology really isnt whats making it dificult.
I'm sorry you feel that way, but your belief isn't backed up by science.

Perhaps you should consider the following question: The whole point of this surgery is to have to you eat less (in essence, to starve yourself), and, depending on the procedure, possibly absorb less of the food you eat. Outside of the psychological differences, how the ultimate effect of this different than just eating less food? If you can't find a significant difference, how come the surgery works when it is "impossible" to lose weight doing the equivalent?

Another question: why is trying to lose weight through "normal" means recommended as a first step before considering surgery if it is impossible?

Last edited by OBoile; 04-04-19 at 01:22 PM.
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Old 04-04-19, 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by CheeseLouise
Hi all,

I need some input, please. I am seriously considering having this surgery done in hopes it will eliminate some other serious weight related health issues. Now, I realize there will be some that feel this is an unjustified surgery. So be it, but what I am looking for is some *real* (first-hand or I know someone directly) advice/experience as to what to expect for eventual return to cycling.

Here are the stats:

Current cycling level is about 17 mph average with most rides being anywhere from 20-50 miles and some longer 65+ mile rides (doing my first century April 30th). I have been cycling for about 2.5 years. The usual weekly riding distance is between 120 and 160 miles per week. I think I do pretty well for a Clydesdale. Current Weight 240lbs - Height is 5'5" - age is 42 - female

Concerns are -
1. Will I be able to ride, after recovery, at the same level I do now?
2. What about hydration during riding after surgery?
3. What about the energy level/bonking on rides?

Thanks for all of your help and experience!

LS
My wife had the surgery, I guess it's about 4 or 5 years ago now. We ride every weekend, essentially it made little difference except for the weight loss of course. However -- bonking is a problem. She needs to stop every hour or two for a snack, significant protein intake too. The first year, she always brought some Fritos with her for the salt and the glycemic reaction.

Excellent outcome for her. Note - those people who think it's just CICO, or "there must be some other problem" are just ignorant. Listen to competent doctors, they know what's what.
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Old 04-04-19, 10:43 PM
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To clarify, by "little difference" I mean her power output and endurance was pretty much the same before and after, but carrying a heck of lot less weight. So, she's posted a win in the cycling - power to weight ratio game.

I think the first year she felt a bit fragile after losing so much weight, but her weight stabilized over the years and she gained confidence for long outings.

We are an odd pair, she needs to eat every few hours, I'm an intermittent faster, so I don't eat until evening time. Somehow, we work it out.
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Old 07-22-19, 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by CheeseLouise
Supcom, thanks for the feedback

I agree with you that it is surprising for anyone to *want* to have this surgery. Unfortunately, I suffer from Type II Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, all of which are brought on by the excessive weight. I am starting to see some very negative health ramifications from the medical issues. Also both parents died from the complications of the same health issues at a VERY young age...I plan on being around for a long time, or at least I hope too

I love cycling and I enjoy the fitness level that it brings and do not want to loose the ability to ride. This is why I am looking here in BF for some cyclists that may have similar experiences.

Again, thanks for your ideas and feedback! I am making a list of questions for the Doctor!

Best always!
I am a cyclist that had gastric bypass because I wanted to lose weight and get rid of my diabetes. It is hard to hydrate when I am cycling. Your stomach is small therefore it fills up fast.Too much liquid and you will throw up. So I had to figure out how to consume calories and electrolytes with a small stomach. So I take a powdered electrolyte first that dissolves in your system and then I can drink water with out worrying about over filling my stomach. Next I use a gel to eat on the ride. It has to be high in calories so I chose roctane from GU.I can't eat a cliff bat and drink during a ride.I lost 100 lbs
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Old 07-23-19, 02:36 PM
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Really old thread. Wonder how the OP is doing? Likely we will never know.
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Old 07-25-19, 04:25 PM
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I too was reading this zombie thread to see what the outcome was, hoping that the re-awakening was an update. Alas, we are destined to be left wanting. I looked at Linda's profile, and i found she had posted some updates in the year following this post. I am about to read this one update, post #8 . good job Linda! @CheeseLouise
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Old 07-25-19, 07:06 PM
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I had gastric sleeve in 2013. I lost 150# and have maintained for 3 yrs (that is a bigger accomplishment than losing!). I have had a hell of a time figuring out how to manage nutrition/energy/hydration during hard rides. Mostly got it worked out, and I can't say enough good things about Liquid IV.


It's possible I'll need a revision to bypass because of reflux issues. Obviously that is last resort...but I've been researching how to mitigate glycogen depletion without triggering dumping syndrome and getting nowhere. I got eaten alive in a bariatric group because "sugar is NEVER required!". This ancient thread just made my day...'splainers aside of course lol. So bypass doesn't necessarily mean I'll have to sell my dream bike and take up prancercizing instead. And now I have a good list of things to discuss with my nutritionist (new doc/team & haven't had these discussions yet). If any bariatric providers or patients have more info, please lay it out there. Low glycemic products do help with the bonk but don't necessarily trigger dumping syndrome, right? Varies by person of course. This thread is amazing 😁
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Old 07-31-19, 03:24 PM
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"You can't out-ride a bad diet".

I had gastric bypass 9 months ago after a lifetime of yo-yo'ing massive weight losses. I am now at a normal weight and focusing on rebuilding the significant loss of muscle mass and strength that happened along the way.
My surgeon strongly recommended that I use a hydration pack that would encourage constant sipping. My CamelBak is doing a good job of keeping me hydrated so far with some rides over 95F heat.
When I was a heavier person (up to 295#) overheating and dehydration was a significant problem limiting me to rides < 90F.

I had also been limited to 15-mile rides by saddle trauma caused by excess weight for the past several years. When lighter (still Clydesdale) I had ridden several metric centuries averaging 15 mph with climbing. I would like to regain those stats and better.

So far on-bike nutrition hasn't been an issue on my rides up to 30 miles, even after just a 160-kcal protein shake for breakfast. My nutritionist had reservations about maltodextrin (Hammer Gel) that used to be my go-to Hill Helper, but so far I haven't felt the need for it. I fuel post-ride with a frozen drink made of banana, PB powder, protein shake blended together with ice.

Kudos to all who have maintained their weight loss for years post-op or otherwise. My understanding is that an active lifestyle is a key factor as well as a healthy diet.
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