Distance cycling is definately still possible after Bariatric Surgery, contrary to myth. Attention to hydration and nutrition though, are more important than normal. Early on, after the surgery, it will be difficult due to the restricted size of the stomach as well as the fact that the majority of your nutritional receptors are bypassed. The guidelines I initially followed were very frequent hydration, necessary when you can only sip an oz of water at a time. You will be happy to know, by the way that one of the recommended methods of drinking is out of a sports bottle. You HAVE to be careful initially not to rupture the surgical site in the abdominal region through too big a bolus of fluid entering the stomach pouch. If you've had the surgery, initially the stomach is reduced to a pouch the size of an egg. A signifigant portion of your nutrient initially will be liquid and the rest pure'ed. Cream of Wheat and Jello will be your friend. The liquid will be Carnation Sugar free instant breakfast mixed into 2% mile and fortified with Powdered milk to get sufficient protein, or Soy Protein shakes if you are lactose intolerant. You'll find, incidentally, that the soy protein and water make a great recovery drink later in the process!

After a time, as your surgeon recommends, your intake will increase, and it get's easier. You will develop new receptors for sugars and starches and other carbs. You will eventually be able to handle them without experiencing dumping syndrome. This is a massive peristaltic wave, by the way, causing diarrhea. Not trying to be too graphic here, but it is an issue post-bariatric. Essentially, as your surgeon recommends, ease back into the cycling and build your capabilities back up. You will eventually exceed where you were when you started, before the surgery. Keep your dietician informwed on your activity levels and they will be able to help you adjust your post surgery diet to support your activity levels.

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A bad day on the bike beats ANY other day in my life.....except for a good day on the bike!

Tom, This is great info.  It really answers a lot of my/our questions.  I know I will have to eeeeaaaasssseeeee back into cycling, but I am determined and I believe I will get there and be better than before WLS

One little thing I should mention.  I'M APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I have my consult with my surgeon on June 12.  Funny, June 12th is the day I was suppose to go for my first appointments but I was able to be moved up a month.

Absolutely outstanding! I am pleased as punch for ya! I am so happy you had an easier time of it than I did!

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A bad day on the bike beats ANY other day in my life.....except for a good day on the bike!

Hi Tom!

Thanks!  I still can not believe how hard you had to fight to get your surgery.  And it is the same insurance company.  It real makes you wonder about the health care sysytem in this country or at least the availabilty of quality insurance.  You were literaly fighting for your life and had to fight tooth-n-nail to get your life back.  I am glad you won that battle.  It goes to show what a lot of courage and persistance can do.

It's odd but now that I know I am approved and have my surgeon consult scheduled I am a little more at peace, sort of a calm now; I can seem to focus on other tasks.  I can not imagine how hard this battle must have been for you.

Don't be a stranger.

Take care

Linda

 

Linda, I may well be a factor in how easily you got approved! If so, I am glad, because I'll tell ya, when I sicced the hungry shark lawyer on them...........Let's just say it wasn't pretty! As I said, here in Indiana, after my case cleared, there was a flurry of approvals and even several reversals where people had been denied and hadn't even gotten the appeals filed and suddenly getting approval out of the blue. As I said, I am very happy you are having an easier time of it! No one should have to go through what I did.  By the way, on another note: I did my personal best miles of my lifde today! 126! Go to my blog to see the map or it's also posted at BF under Road Cycling Forum

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A bad day on the bike beats ANY other day in my life.....except for a good day on the bike!