Why *I* Bothered
You are a true success! Congratulations! 
Check out my profile: http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/goodkel/Or click on my name
DS SW 265 CW 120 5'7"
I knew there was a reason I just love you!
I also want to point out that one of the main reasons I had WLS was to feel normal - and what normal person doesn't have the odd piece of cake or cheeseburger (WITH bun, please!)???
For those that struggle mentally, and possibly regain - I don't think I will end up there because I've completely changed the way I live my life, but, as a formerly obese person, I do know what it's like, and have no judgement on those individuals at all - just support & encouragement! Besides, life can throw strange and unexpected things at you, and maybe I will end up regaining...we're all human..right?
I also want to point out that one of the main reasons I had WLS was to feel normal - and what normal person doesn't have the odd piece of cake or cheeseburger (WITH bun, please!)???
For those that struggle mentally, and possibly regain - I don't think I will end up there because I've completely changed the way I live my life, but, as a formerly obese person, I do know what it's like, and have no judgement on those individuals at all - just support & encouragement! Besides, life can throw strange and unexpected things at you, and maybe I will end up regaining...we're all human..right?
Debbie
Keeping track of my progress without a scale...Starting size: 28-Current size: 6-Goal size: 14
SAND...it's not a club...it's a frame of mind...
It is so interesting to learn this about you -- Honestly, I had no idea that you had gotten around with the use of a wheelchair, and could barely drive.
Congratulations on such an amazing weightloss, and recovery of your health and healthy function!
Lisa
Congratulations on such an amazing weightloss, and recovery of your health and healthy function!
Lisa
Interested in low-carb nutrition? Thinking of trying Atkins? Want to try high-fat and/or high-protein eating? Whether or not you have had (or are thinking about) WLS http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/atkins/
I wasn't totally confined to a wheelchair---but inside the house, I rolled around in the computer chair about 90% of the time. I had a handicapped sticker, because I simply couldn't walk far enough to park just anywhere in a big parking lot, and I just couldn't shop without the carts. My knees were TERRIBLE.
I still need to have them replaced, and for some reason that scares me a LOT more than WLS did. (Something about cutting through BONE.) But as I'm only 53, I plan on using the originals as long as I can---I surely don't want to have it done TWICE, LOL!
I still need to have them replaced, and for some reason that scares me a LOT more than WLS did. (Something about cutting through BONE.) But as I'm only 53, I plan on using the originals as long as I can---I surely don't want to have it done TWICE, LOL!
MsBatt
I just wanted to comment on your knees. I am older than you are. I had my left knee replaced last year in August. I like you was determined to wait as long as I could. I did, I was falling on my face regularly and I finally gave in. By the time I got to a GOOD ortho, I got my behind chewed out. The knee was so badly damaged ! I was unable to do any pre-op excerises to prepare for an easier recovery.
My recovery was horrid as I waited TOO LONG... Please see an ortho, get evaluated and see how bad they really are at this point in time. If you can prepare with pre-op strengthening exercises they will be easy. If you are past that point, you might as well bite the bullet and get it over with. My new knee is finally after all these months, almost as good as the natural one on the right. BTW, the newer knees are last tons longer !
I just wanted to comment on your knees. I am older than you are. I had my left knee replaced last year in August. I like you was determined to wait as long as I could. I did, I was falling on my face regularly and I finally gave in. By the time I got to a GOOD ortho, I got my behind chewed out. The knee was so badly damaged ! I was unable to do any pre-op excerises to prepare for an easier recovery.
My recovery was horrid as I waited TOO LONG... Please see an ortho, get evaluated and see how bad they really are at this point in time. If you can prepare with pre-op strengthening exercises they will be easy. If you are past that point, you might as well bite the bullet and get it over with. My new knee is finally after all these months, almost as good as the natural one on the right. BTW, the newer knees are last tons longer !
Ginger<><
Revision #2 Dr John Rabkin June 21, 2013; First Revision DS - Dr Maguire 5-18-09; First DS 7-15-2003 Dr Clark Warden = Third time is the charm 
Well, that's good to know. When I first started talking about knee replacement, they were telling me to hold out as long as possible, since a second replacement rarely does well. I was 45 at the time, and they were predicting the replacement would have a life of about 10-15 years. (At the time, though, I guess the replacement probably had a longer life expectancy than I did, given my weight at the time.)
What sort of pre-op exercises did you do? I'm not scheduled to see the ortho again until August, but I could just start on my own I guess.
What sort of pre-op exercises did you do? I'm not scheduled to see the ortho again until August, but I could just start on my own I guess.
Yeah, they told me the same thing for a long time as I had a bad left knee since about 35 . Well I was tired of falling on my face. I would be walking along and splat on the ground I went. No warning, just flat on my face. Ruined some good clothes that way.
The problem though, I could not do pre-op exercises as the muscles and tendons were torn off the knee, so there was nothing attached. If they are still attached you can do things to strengthen them that will make recovery quicker. It depend on how bad they are. Sorry if you misunderstood me. I was unable to do the exercises pre-op... that made my recovery a b*tch... I do not recommend waiting that long. My ortho could not believe how the other ortho's had made me wait so long either. I had 3 arthroscopic surgeries b4 the knee replacement. None of them lasted long. I went for a second opinion after I had so many falls on my face. I was concerned and so was DH that something else would break or even the knee would completely break as it was so bad. I was walking with a cane at that point to help prevent falls. You should be evaluated by a good ortho and sent to a PT to see if you have muscles and tendons attached that can be strengthened before knee replacement.
I was up walking with a walker the day after surgery. He often gets his patients up the same night, but I had an allergic reaction and they did not want me out of bed until that cleared more.
With the newer knees, they are saying 20-30 years now, maybe longer. My knee is a Depuy rotating base http://www.kneereplacement.com/DePuy/DePuy_technology/knee_o ptions/types/index.html?utm_campaign=Branded%20Knee&utm_sour ce=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=DePuy%20Knee&utm_term=d epuy%20knee
I am starting to get to where I can even kneel on it for short times. They tell me it will keep improving in time. We just purchased a recumbant bike for when the weather is crappy. Should of gotten one earlier. So far I love it.. It is is a proform and has games and you can put your you MP3 player hooked to it as well. I need to learn how to use it all properly. We found it at Dicks for $100 less than on the website... it is this one....
http://www.proform.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_-1_ 14201_16002_29511_142103
I feel like I need more strength yet in the new knee and I hope this will do it. I was able to get around on the cruise with no problem and we snorkeled and parasailed and it gave me no issues. It was wonderful to walk and step thru sand and not feel like I am going to fall. The biggest thing I deal with yet, is it gets tired and achy. Not nearly as bad as when it hurt like hell, but I know it is time to stop and rest.
I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions. The Depuy and the Zimmer are the two best knees out there. Don't let them give you the crap about a ladies knee either.. There is one made just for women, but truly it is decided on by the size of your bones. Actually very interesting. If you google around you will see more information about that.
I was also concerned on how much it weighed as an artificial joint and he laughed as it weighs about 12 ounces total with all the parts. He said the scale should not move unless it goes down as my own bone is heavier than the replacement joint.
Not sure what part of AL you live, but check around for a really good ortho.. As around to some older people. See who has had quick and fast recoveries. I have a friend who went to the same doc as me and hers was not as bad. She was up walking without a cane in 3 weeks. She was a little slow, but very stable. I had a bit longer. I think I used a cane up until about 7 or 8 weeks due to all the damage.
HTH
Sorry for the book.
The problem though, I could not do pre-op exercises as the muscles and tendons were torn off the knee, so there was nothing attached. If they are still attached you can do things to strengthen them that will make recovery quicker. It depend on how bad they are. Sorry if you misunderstood me. I was unable to do the exercises pre-op... that made my recovery a b*tch... I do not recommend waiting that long. My ortho could not believe how the other ortho's had made me wait so long either. I had 3 arthroscopic surgeries b4 the knee replacement. None of them lasted long. I went for a second opinion after I had so many falls on my face. I was concerned and so was DH that something else would break or even the knee would completely break as it was so bad. I was walking with a cane at that point to help prevent falls. You should be evaluated by a good ortho and sent to a PT to see if you have muscles and tendons attached that can be strengthened before knee replacement.
I was up walking with a walker the day after surgery. He often gets his patients up the same night, but I had an allergic reaction and they did not want me out of bed until that cleared more.
With the newer knees, they are saying 20-30 years now, maybe longer. My knee is a Depuy rotating base http://www.kneereplacement.com/DePuy/DePuy_technology/knee_o ptions/types/index.html?utm_campaign=Branded%20Knee&utm_sour ce=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=DePuy%20Knee&utm_term=d epuy%20knee
I am starting to get to where I can even kneel on it for short times. They tell me it will keep improving in time. We just purchased a recumbant bike for when the weather is crappy. Should of gotten one earlier. So far I love it.. It is is a proform and has games and you can put your you MP3 player hooked to it as well. I need to learn how to use it all properly. We found it at Dicks for $100 less than on the website... it is this one....
http://www.proform.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_-1_ 14201_16002_29511_142103
I feel like I need more strength yet in the new knee and I hope this will do it. I was able to get around on the cruise with no problem and we snorkeled and parasailed and it gave me no issues. It was wonderful to walk and step thru sand and not feel like I am going to fall. The biggest thing I deal with yet, is it gets tired and achy. Not nearly as bad as when it hurt like hell, but I know it is time to stop and rest.
I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions. The Depuy and the Zimmer are the two best knees out there. Don't let them give you the crap about a ladies knee either.. There is one made just for women, but truly it is decided on by the size of your bones. Actually very interesting. If you google around you will see more information about that.
I was also concerned on how much it weighed as an artificial joint and he laughed as it weighs about 12 ounces total with all the parts. He said the scale should not move unless it goes down as my own bone is heavier than the replacement joint.
Not sure what part of AL you live, but check around for a really good ortho.. As around to some older people. See who has had quick and fast recoveries. I have a friend who went to the same doc as me and hers was not as bad. She was up walking without a cane in 3 weeks. She was a little slow, but very stable. I had a bit longer. I think I used a cane up until about 7 or 8 weeks due to all the damage.
HTH
Sorry for the book.
Ginger<><
Revision #2 Dr John Rabkin June 21, 2013; First Revision DS - Dr Maguire 5-18-09; First DS 7-15-2003 Dr Clark Warden = Third time is the charm
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