Question:
STROKE AND WLS

I had gastric bypass surgery on Oct 17, 2008 day of surgery my weight was 367 today it's 345. I had a stroke 1 yr prior to surgery and my mobility is very limited. I cannot exercise very much to help with the weight loss...any suggestions?    — FLUFFYVIC (posted on November 18, 2008)

November 18, 2008
You sound as if you think that 22 pounds in one month is not good weight loss. You are so wrong about that. When was the last time you managed to lose 22 pounds... I'll bet it took a lot more than 4 weeks to do it. Whatever movement is possible for you should be what you do to keep your metabolism moving. Do you have a physical therapist or someone like that who could give you advice on movements that you could do that would be beneficial? Perhaps, your surgeon can provide some direction as he thought you were a good candidate for the surgery in spite of your limitations. Good luck... happy losing....
   — ptdawn

November 18, 2008
Your wt loss is progressing OK. I had RNY in May, 2006, and I do daily walking--1 1/4 mile walks once or twice a day. If you have joint issues, then you might try water aerobics at the local YMCA or YWCA, or get a copy of a "chair exercise" DVD, where you do exercises in a straight back chair with cans of food etc. DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

November 18, 2008
I would suggest your doctor recommend some physical therapy for you... most likely your insurance would pay for it as it sounds like it is medically neccesary. Also, there are a set of DVD's you can get from BariatricEating.com where the first one is for morbidly obese people, even chairbound and then they progess from there. Also, get some handweights and some resistance bands- both of which you can do in a chair. Your weight loss is impressive and you are brave to have gone through this major surgery after having such a serious stroke... this can only make things better for you. Does your surgeon's office have a personal trainer or exercise physiologist they could recommend. Try to get in the pool as it is very easy on the joints and there is just something so healing about the water. Best of luck to you, Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

November 18, 2008
Can you swim? I think you're doing fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!
   — Ravenwulf

November 19, 2008
If you can walk that is all the mobility you need. Leslie Sansome has some DVDs for in home walking fitness programs, very helpful
   — cydthekid50

November 19, 2008
You are doing good! And with time you can do more and more. Til then any movement is good movement...Work on toning arms and legs for now...Just grab two 16 oz cans of soup or bottled water and use as weights to flex muscles while you sit...Do leg and ankle flexxes...stretch...stand up every hour and work you way up to more and more activity...but MOVE...Just move! You'll get there! I wish you...Many wishes for success and health!
   — .Anita R.

November 20, 2008
Depending on what mobility you do have, ther is a wonderful program on PBS called "Sit and Be Fit". All exercises are done sitting in a chair. My Dad used to do this as he was severly limited due to arthritis and diabetes, and he loved it! Good luck!
   — dnoreenh