I guess this is where we say hello and give our history, so here it goes...

I have dealt with a great deal of pain for over 10 years now (without medications), and went through a ridiculous amount of test, thinking I had MS. Thank heavens it wasn't, but it was severe Psoriatic Arthritis, PCOS. Still in a great deal of pain from PA; I tried (for a long time) to lose weight. It started off great and slowly drove me to the ground with insanity from the lack of realistic results. I finally (after lots of deep thinking) decided it was time to take extreme measures. I'm going whole hog for the RNY bypass.

I'm scared to death. Not so much of the surgery, but of whether or not I will make it to my goal weight of 180lbs or less.

Honestly and not making excuses, I have a very difficult time walking. I was enrolled in swim, but our pool was closed down. I tried biking, but I couldn't get enough strength to push the peddles or balance the darn thing. Believe it or not; up until 7/2013...I was able to hill climb and take care of my self sustaining farm, but a lot has changed since then and now I require a lot of help, so this is the last straw. Any suggestions on low impact exercise or life after surgery will be very much appreciated.

More than anything, I just need people to talk to. This has been so hard already and I am just trying to make it to the prize for a better quality of life and the ability to walk well again.

Hi I want to tell you. I too couldn't walk to the back of a small grocery store without trying to find some place to lean or sit. I could't stand for more than 2 minutes without horrible pain. Not that this happens for everyone. I lost 30 lbs very quickly after surgery. 3 weeks after surgery I walked the entire store and a large grocery store the same day and didn't feel like I had to find a place to sit! For the last 5 years my husband or my teenage daughter had to do the shopping for us. I am 8 weeks out and I have used a weed eater again. I have walked nearly every day for 30 min. Used a "nustep". I have been enjoying life again. I have a good prayer support group with my church. I thought I was too late because of the numbness I was getting in my feet and my hands. I am so thankful to God that it wasn't too late for me. I don't want to say there are not days that I get pain. It is because I have done too much too soon! Be careful and ask your Dr. for directions on how much you can do how fast you can do it. Wish you luck and I hope this inspires you!

Thank you for the encouragement. It means a lot.