2 years out: From wheelchair to aspiring aqua exercise specialist-long

 I have looked at your photos before, and I have to tell you I find your story and success so inspiring.  And what a great goal, to become an aqua exercise specialist.  I'd love to try that--I've looked into classes around here, but haven't figured out something that seems right for me.  Anyway, please keep posting, I know you're inspiring many of us.  By the way, you're one of those lucky people *****mained pretty even when overweight.  Keep workin' it, girl!

Thank you so much for posting this.  You are such an inspiration!  I am to have surgery on Nov 3, barring another postponiment.  My original date was Oct 12.  I was so upset it had to be rescheduled.  I have been having a hard time lately and your post really gives me some hope.  I have multiple co-morbidities, along with being super morbidly obese.  The hardest being I have limited mobility and have extreme pain when trying to walk  (I need both knees replaced and have severe arthritis), so I am in a wheelchair most of the time.  I have concerns with needing to walk after the surgery, not sure how that is going to work.  My surgeon doesn't seem concerned, just says do the best I can and it would be worse to not do the surgery than to do it.  Anyway,  thank you so much for telling your story.  I needed some hope. 

Yes your surgeon will be happy even if you just get out of bed and try. You will be well medicated so the normal pains will be gone for a while too. Thankfully they inserted a catheter during surgery which helped immensly because they pump you full of fluids to stay hydrated. You will have these wraps on your legs that inflate and deflate to keep the circulation going in your legs and prevent blood clots. And I don't know if it was because of my super size or not but I got this cadilac of beds that was inflatable, like a Sleep number bed, and very comfortable. I think at the time I was one of their larger patients because they didn't even have a gown that fit me. Now they have super size gowns so no one else has to tie a sheet around them pareau style.

As soon as you are healed from the surgery, get some physical therapy in the water. The YMCA where I go has a lift chair which I used to get in and out of the pool. My first attempt was only 10 minutes of cardio (slow cardio) and now I do an hour and a half of combined exercises. I hate to sweat and the pool is the best solution for me. Besides being gentle on my joints and pretty much pain free. I had surgery in October and by Thanksgiving I was walking better and by June I put my cane away, hopefully forever.

Keep the faith! You will get to be healthier and enjoy everyday activites again.

Wow - moving, inspiring and impressive! It sounds like you are doing this for the right reasons and no matter what it takes you are committed to staying focused.

It's not about being perfect right? It's about being the best us we can, and learning along the way.

I'm a slow loser (per my surgeon LOL) and so is my mom so I just accept it. I say "yes but I am still losing right?"

Your story is very inspiring, thank you for sharing and way to go on the water specialist!!