Able to walk? How far?

Hello all - I'm a newbie and am hoping to have gastric bypass surgery at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore.  I go to their "seminar" next week, and have already been on 3 months of the 6 months physician supervised diet and had my cardiac eval, my sleep study scheduled for July, and my psychiatrist does the psych evals for them.  So I'm praying that they will see that I am really serious about needing this surgery! One big thing - I can't walk very much.  I am in a power wheelchair, but have been going to physical therapy and swimming during my good season (spring & summer) and even through the winter I have been able to walk inside my home, out to the mailbox and into small stores for just a thing or two. Now with going through PT I am walking around outside my house, and could probably walk about 2 blocks right now.  My legs ache like a toothache (I am a chronic pain patient with a spine that is falling apart and have had several fusions and will need more in the future).  I think even during the worst of the past two winters I have still been able to walk in the house, just carefully choose where I'm going to make the most of it.  I do have to have my wheelchair when I am going to be sitting - sitting in regular chairs is extremely painful, so I'll be going into that seminar in my power wheelchair. What do you all think?  I know St. Agnes said you have to be able to walk - but are they referring to being able to walk after the surgery to prevent blood clots or are they talking about being able to walk for exercise?  I'd rather not ask them that question right off, so I'd appreciate any guidance you all could give me. You'll be seeing a lot more of me - I have so much to learn! Thanks - Jane

Although the doctor has to respond to this question definitively, I think it measn being ambulatory without a wheelchair. It sounds to me like you are except for long distances.  I live near St. Agnes. Are you in this area? Aime

Hi Aime, no, I live in southern Maryland - North Beach in fact.  Traveling to St. Agnes will be difficult but there is no where else that is any closer, and my primary care Dr. has had 12 patients go to St. Agnes and all were very successful. Thanks for your reply - I think I could walk about 2 blocks right now.  I wish I had a better feel for what they mean - I so want this surgery and am so tired of not being able to do more things because of being disabled.  It's been 10 years of getting used to not being able to do things - I want to hear that yes, I can do something to help myself!

I had my surgery at St Agnes with Dr Averbach. I was not in a wheelchair bur could barely walk any distance. I was mostly bedridden. Swiming will be a big benefit to you. I swim now 5 days a week all year. I started swimming just after my surgery when the Drs said ok. I did it because I couldn't walk much at all.It is great exercise and therapy. I took the arthritis foundation exercise class to start. I took physical therapy in the pool, I took Ai Chi in the pool and I swim on my own. They were all huge helps. Definatly mention your swimming. I can't answer what they will say and they do worry about blood clots but Dr Averbach had me have a filter for blood clots put in before surgery to lower my risk. It was a simple procedure and in and out.He was a wonderful Dr. Johns hopkins and university refered me to St Agnes because they felt I was to high risk fo them. Good luck.Keep in touch Laurie

Thanks Laurie - you are fortunate to live in Annapolis.  In the summer it's easy to go swimming, but come fall it is a 50 mile round trip to go to a pool.  Whatever were they thinking when they were designing things for Calvert County? Hopefully I will still be able to go swimming 2 x a week post surgery (If I get to have the surgery). Yes, Hopkins seems to be very limiting in who they will take - looks like they want their statistics to be very good.  Well, that can be if you only accept the patients that are in great shape.  No matter, I know I can get through this, if I just will be given the chance! Take care Laurie - Jane

 I hope it works out.Please keep me posted. If you want t know anything else don't hesitate to ask. Laurie