Question:
How will my disabilty effect my experience ?

I am a person with a disability (wheelchair user) and not able to exercise much, at least not until I lose the weight. Obviously the surgery will greatly improve my health and long-term outlook and make it much easier toget around without pushing an extra 100 pounds or so in my chair. Any thoughts on how my stationary lifestyle might effect the recovery and long term experience after surgery ? Any other People with Disabilities here that have had the surgery ? Thanks -- RGW    — Randy W. (posted on April 9, 2003)

April 8, 2003
A very dear friend of mine was in a wheel chair because of her weight, and she no longer require a wheelchair and has gone back to work. Also she swims for her excercise and is doing wonderful. I don't know why you are in a wheelchair, but I just wanted to encourage you, that it will get a lot better. God Bless, Lenay
   — Dortheria B.

April 9, 2003
I am pre-op and fully disabled. I am not in a wheelchair, but I do use a walker to get around. I have several problems that causes me to be on disablity, I have had two strokes that effected the optical nerves, and left me blind on the left side of both eyes, and some mobility problems in my left leg, and I some short term memory loss and anomia. Weight was never included in my disability. So after surgery, I will still have the other problems, it sounds like you are on disablity because of your weight, if that is the case, you will probely be fine after surgery and you lose your weight. If you will still be in the wheelchair after you have lost your weight, then the surgery will still benefit your health greatly. You will probley need a smaller wheelchair, and that is a good thing.
   — cindy

April 9, 2003
Look for a profile on Dee Garrett in Oklahoma. She was in a wheelchair due to fen/phen related strokes, and now she can walk. She is a great lady who would be happy for you to contact her.
   — cindy Q.