Question:
does anyone know exercises that can be done sitting down that will help after gastric

i have oa in both knees, diabetes, fibro, heart dz, sleep apnes, GERD, pulmonary hypertension, HBP, chf..I fell 2 yrs ago and broke my ankle (i was to have WLS then) after 4 surgeries they are finally giving me green light for gastric bypass..I hope the weight loss helps the ankle bcuz it gives me fits and hurts like crazy....problem will what exercising I will be able to do since can take only couple steps before I have to sit because of the ankle pain & i have to wear a brace on ankle & leg    — 2bethinatlast (posted on March 19, 2009)


March 19, 2009
Dear Linda... this question is of great interest to me, also....as I not only have severe (bone on bone) osteo-arthritis in both knees, I also have it in my lower back, along with spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure of the spinal cord and causes severe pain when walking and standing. I spoke to my surgeon, and explained the problems to him, and also to my back doctor... and they both agreed that losing the weight will be immensely helpful in pain control. Otherwise, I found that I am very comfortable on my exercise bike, going at a moderate speed for 10 minutes or so 3 times per day. I don't know if your ankle could tolerate that.... but you might give it a try.
   — Erica Alikchihoo

March 19, 2009
Hi Linda. I am sorry to hear about your joint pain. I, too, suffer from osteo, rhematoid and fibro..I have bone on bone in both kneeds, one ankle, shoulder, on and on...And like the previous respondent, am unable to walk for any distance and can stand about 3 min before the pain from back (degenerative disc disease) kicks in. I do water exercise. I am almost 90% pain free in the water. I do water jogging and aerobics and then even use bands (for weight resistance) all under the water. Good luck on your journey and feel free to contact me for more info and to keep me up on your progress. I am entering my pre-op stage for lap band...getting nervous over here in Chicago! :)
   — moneteyes

March 19, 2009
I also have oa knees, lower back problems, and joint issues from hips down. I do water exercise 3 days a week at the local YMCA. They have several classes and if you need it offer a scholarship to help with costs. Many local fitness clubs offer the classes also.
   — ntssmith

March 19, 2009
YOU CAN GET DVD FOR CHAIR AIROBICS. THESE ARE EXERCISES DONE WHILE SITTING . YOU STILL GET A GOOD CARDIO WORKOUT.I USE THEM BECAUSE I HAVE PLANTAR FACIITUS AND CANT PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON MY FEET.
   — cecilie

March 20, 2009
I learned about "chair exercises" in my wt loss surgery education classes. These are on DVD, available almost anywhere at affordable prices--or you can rent them. These are performed on a straight back chair, and are either used with no weights at all, or with common household canned goods or small inexpensive wts. Our class tried these, and believe it or not, you can begin to work up a sweat in less than 10 minutes, and get cardio benefits. These are designed for those patients with mobility issues, or the geriatric with balance issues. You can also do water aerobics at the local YWCA or YMCA for a miminal fee. One woman in one of my support group started doing water aerobics at the YWCA several months prior to surgery. She exercises in a warm saltwater pool. She claims she can work up a sweat easily in the pool. She lost about 80 pounds in the 5 months or so prior to her recent RNY. Either of these will benefit you. Dave
   — Dave Chambers

March 20, 2009
This site is SO great for ppl helping ppl...and you've gotten some great suggestions. I am sorry for all you are dealing with and hope the weight loss surgery truly improves your life. I am still in the researching process myself. I just wanted to add the suggestions that you might consider working with a physiotherapist and consult a personal trainer. I have arthiritis in both knees, have ripped ankle ligaments and need braces when I work out and my shoulder rotator cuffs are bone-on-bone from multiple dislocations, also I have chronic back and neck pain from injuries from a car accident years ago. The very best treatments I have found come from working through my physiotherapist who also work with a chiropractor, massage therapist and pool therapist. The physiotherapist alone has been fabulous as he does about 5 different kinds of treatments (electrical muscle stimulation, ultrsound, manipulation, pressure points etc) as well as teaching me tailored strengthening and mobility exercises. The exercises the give me are ones I can continue myself after my insured annual allowance for physio coverage ends, plus I can fall back on them as soon as flare ups start again. It has made a HUGE difference in my knee pain in the first few months of treatment. The other problems I have been treating on and off for years and when it gets bad I always go back to physio for a few months and things improve so much. Just know that not all physiotherapists are equal, make sure you compare extent of services to make sure you are getting the best range and level of services you can if you do go to a physiotherapist.
   — CinnSareLee

March 20, 2009
I also have terrible knees. They will be replaced when the weight is down. There are a set of work outs called sit and be fit. Also there is a bariatric workout that is for different levels. I've got it myself. there's only one area you would have to skip. The work out is called weigh2win. Best of luck!
   — Julzizhr

March 20, 2009
I had some of your comorbids and walked with a cane because my knees were so painful! I also have degenerative disk disease in my spine. Narcotics were the only thing that helped my knees. Anything else barely even took the edge off the pain...Even when sitting or sleeping the pain kept me awake. After surgery...the hospital gave some derned good drugs! LOL I was walking all over the hospital with my IV stand as my cane! LOL Then a month of more good drugs came home with me...By the end of that month, and the end of my prescript for oxycodin...I felt at least 50 % better. I lost about 40 lbs the first month...By 3 months I had so little pain and began exercise in the pool to help with my neck and knees...I started slowly, just treading water and keeping my body moving and did what I could...The more weight I lost, the more pain left my knees...the diabetes and gerd were instantly gone in days after surgery...By a year...I had ZERO pain...maybe a few aches on rainy days. At 5 years...the arthritis in my knees is only a memory of what it used to be like 150 lbs heavier...I have no pain...I did have to go for 2 mos PT and have deep heat ultrasound treatments on my neck and shoulders at about two years PO...Since then no pain anywhere. I bought pilates DVDs and did the floor exercises and some Yoga later on good knee days! Now I do Yoga all the time...I swim...run...play...You'd never even know I was such a mess 5 years ago! WATER!!!!...find a way to get in the water and work out! My knees felt the water resistance, for certain, but it was far friendlier than trying to walk or hop or put all my weight on them! I literally melted away in the water with minimal pain! And floor exercises the days I couldn't get to the pool...Simple hand weights and stretching whenever I was sitting...I kept my weights by the couch! As the weight comes off you will find it easier and easier to move about!
   — .Anita R.

March 20, 2009
I have many of the same health issues that you do. I can hardly ride a stationary bike because of the pain, and have difficulty walking, however every day it gets better. Check your local PBS stations, my PBS station carries "Sit And Be Fit", and it's free. You might want to tape the segments for future viewing. God Bless You Abundantly, Kathie
   — KathieV

March 21, 2009
Sparkpeople has a great video with resistance band used while sitting. I did it regularly I have a bad knee. http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=720
   — Donna O.




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