I currently weight 391lbs. I am looking at surgery in 2 months. I have fibro that makes my feet feel like I am walking on knives & bone pain that is bad. I live on a pain level of about 7 to 8 daily.

What I don't understand is if I don't have the energy or pain resistance to do the exercise now (the only thing stopping me) how is that going to change right after surgery. My papers say I should be walking two miles after 2 weeks, & I can't even hit 1/3 mile now? Maybe I am not understanding something, but I fail to understand how that is going to be any different after surgery.

Hi there, a couple of thoughts -

1) I think you should be looking at something other than walking for exercise. Something in the Water, if at all possible. Maybe chair aerobics. There are DVDs and probably YouTube vids you can use. Maybe just some resistance bands. And stretching.

2) Personally, I haven't "worked out" in about 9 months. I was diagnosed with Lyme disease and babesiosis, both of which just zap your energy levels. I'm on about 900 different meds including three by IV. My surgeon wants me to exercise of course (and so does insurance) but my lyme dr and my primary want me to concentrate on getting well. I am trying to do things (like what I mentioned above) to stay in the game until I do feel well enough to exercise, but the point I'm hoping to make is that one woman's workout is another woman's death sentence. If you haven't already, talk to your bariatric office about what options you might have.

Hi there, a couple of thoughts -

1) I think you should be looking at something other than walking for exercise. Something in the Water, if at all possible. Maybe chair aerobics. There are DVDs and probably YouTube vids you can use. Maybe just some resistance bands. And stretching.

2) Personally, I haven't "worked out" in about 9 months. I was diagnosed with Lyme disease and babesiosis, both of which just zap your energy levels. I'm on about 900 different meds including three by IV. My surgeon wants me to exercise of course (and so does insurance) but my lyme dr and my primary want me to concentrate on getting well. I am trying to do things (like what I mentioned above) to stay in the game until I do feel well enough to exercise, but the point I'm hoping to make is that one woman's workout is another woman's death sentence. If you haven't already, talk to your bariatric office about what options you might have.

That does make sense. I don't have much other options other then walking. Can't afford to join a gym that has a indoor pool, I couldn't afford the surgery if Medicaid didn't cover it. But I can do chair exercises & stretching. Hmm...I'll talk to them.

2 miles may be the expectation but you will not get there right away. Exercising is free. If u have a community-based pool, swim or do exercises in the Water. If you have a park, take your headphones and go for peaceful walks. If you have dogs, go for longer or frequent walks. Etc.

But once u do the surgery and the weight starts coming off you will feel better. And that my friend will give u more chances to burn the fat. You will do just fine.

The instructions sheet they gave you is the same whether your start is 191 or 391.

I agree that warm pool walking or something similair is the very best for someone with your health condition. My local YMCA has an amazing Water program for seniors and disabled AND they have low income programs for reduced (possibly even free) membership. It is worth a few phone calls.

I started out well over 300# and it hurt like the dickens to do anything too. I started out with water aerobics and did that until I got under maybe 250#. Even at that weight, I was still big - fitting in some of the weight machines was tight etc.

The point in my mind is to find physical activity that not just helps you lose weight, but improve your overall health. I found water aerobics to be a good "on ramp".. and have I built from there.

I am now 3 years post op, at goal and pretty active.

Look at DVDs nd Youtube videos by David Stamps. He has a variety of exercise formats for people with mobility issues - even bedfast. He is easy to follow, not to mention easy to look at.

Thanks everyone! I want this to succeed & I love the help & suggestions you have given me. I will put them all into practice.

Edited February 12, 201511 yr by hevtiger

Also look into your local school district. They may have an indoor pool for the community at a very low or even sometimes free cost.

I can only add, that I have fibro too. I'm now on Lyrica and its amazing the difference it makes. I'm walking almost 2 miles after about 3 months and doing a little jogging. I'm 300lbs. I've just started the process of various appoints to get approved by insurance.