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Wheelchair User Seeking Gastric Sleeve

FayeDolly

By FayeDolly, in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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FayeDolly    1

FayeDolly
Posted

Hi there, I'm brand new to this forum. I apologize if I'm not doing this correctly...
I am wanting a gastric sleeve. I'm about 4'7" and I don't know my current weight but it's likely 220 or 230 at this point. I am definitely obese.
I'm in a wheelchair. I can't walk at all. I was born with Arthrogryposis. My very limited mobility makes weight loss so difficult. When I try my hardest, I usually manage a 3 lb loss in a month. Then I get discouraged and gain it all right back. It's a messed up cycle. And it doesn't help me at all... I am prone to falling, and with my heavy weight, I end up hurting myself. I struggle to transfer, and I miss being able to transfer without such difficulty. I worry about my future independence. I'm only 29.
I know a lot about this surgery as many of my friends & family members have had it done, but no one is in a wheelchair like I am.
I'm going to speak to a surgeon soon... I just want to know if anyone reading this can relate. Does anyone have experience with this while being handicapped like I am? Similar to how I am? I can't stand up at all. I just worry. My dad had the gastric sleeve and I know they made him walk pretty soon after his surgery. I just wonder what I will need to do to be safe. I'm no stranger to surgery, but I've never had anything like this done.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

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Orchids&Dragons    9,047

Orchids&Dragons
Posted

Welcome, FayeDolly. These forums are very friendly and supportive and I hope you find some good information here. I don't have any experience with disabilities, but I can answer at least one of your questions. They had your Dad up and walking to prevent blood clots. In your case, they would use the same methods that they used for your other surgeries.

Many people don't do all the exercise that they're supposed to (or any at all) and still lose a lot of weight. I think there's a really good chance that this surgery will do wonders for you. Best of luck!

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ProudGrammy    8,322

ProudGrammy
Posted

On 1/31/2019 at 7:59 AM, Orchids&Dragons said:

Many people don't do all the exercise that they're supposed to (or any at all) and still lose a lot of weight.

@FayeDolly

welcome to the board. Most of us don't bite (LOL) - join us, always looking for nice newbies - we give good info/advise/support - there are "sitting" videos - also stuff on u-tube that could help you.

glad you are seeing doc soon - he would be the one to advise you about the surgery and your

circumstances/how you will handle things. - its true (like your dad) we are told to walk immediately after surgery - i'm sure doc will work with you for a new good plan. when you/me/all of us lose weight - it helps us with our mobility/physical problems. ie transferring from wheelchair should get easier /better.

stay on the boards, learn more

KNOWLEDGE is POWER☺️

good luck

kathy

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Go To Topic Listing Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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