Losing weight when you’re disabled

[freckles415 3]

Is anyone that is disabled get the gastric sleeve and lost a lot of weight without having to exercise too much I talk to my surgeon about my disability and I can’t really walk or stand or anything for too long and I was worried that I would be wasting my time getting the surgery and not lose any weight but he encouraged me that he has patients that can’t exercise and they’ve lost weight so I just want someone to confirm that this is possible.

[NovaLuna 710]

While I didn't have the gastric sleeve specifically (my surgery has a VSG stomach, but it also has the intestinal bypass bit because it's the Loop Duodenal Switch/SADI-S/SIPS) I AM disabled due to two back injuries and osteoarthritis in my knees, back, hips, ankles, etc. that make it to where I can't really exercise. I was told that weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise and after having lost a grand total of 204 pounds (136 pounds of that since my surgery. The other 68 pounds was my monitored weight loss before my surgery) I agree with that statement. I WISH that I was more mobile because I KNOW I would have lost more, but I'm incredibly happy with my results. I mean, I'd like to lose the last 5 pounds to my goal weight, but if I hit maintenance I'd be okay where I'm at (lost 1 pound this month after a 30-odd day stall. Lost 4 pounds last month and 1 the month before that after a 30 day stall. I'm getting closer and closer to maintenance, I think).

Edited June 17, 2021 by NovaLuna
spelling :P

[Lynnlovesthebeach 625]

I did very little exercise while in the weight loss phase because I needed a hip replacement and could barely walk. I had my hip replacement when I was about 130 lbs ( 2 yrs ago today!) I can now walk as far as I want to and have no problem maintaining my weight at 108 lbs. I had the gastric bypass. I walk every day and have no problem doing 6-7 miles.

[catwoman7 10,881]

yes - I know of several people who did with with little to no exercise. Like NovaLuna said above weight loss is 80% diet, so you'll be able to lose quite a bit of weight even if you can't exercise.

[lizonaplane 1,605]

Yes, diet is the much bigger portion of weight loss compared with exercise, but exercise is considered important for weight maintenance, so it may be a good idea to think of ways to exercise that don't involve standing or walking. For example, are you able to swim or do Water aerobics? What about an exercise bike? I don't know what your disability is, but there are physical therapists who work with people with many disabilities who can help you develop a program of exercise suited to your abilities and limitations. I wouldn't give up on WLS just because you have limited mobility, but I would talk to your treatment team about what your options are - in any case, moving in the immediate period after surgery is important to avoid blood clots, even if it's just for a few minutes at a time.

[freckles415 3]

Thank you so much this really helped me feel more confident about continuing the process towards the weight loss surgery. I can definitely do Water aerobics it’s just hard for me to be able to get to the pool most days I might consider getting one of those therapy pools that could fit in to my Florida room.

[Tracyringo 503]

I had the gastric sleeve and am disabled. I did not exercise and lost 131lbs the first year by sticking to the plan. I did however have to revise due to GERD last year.

Edited June 17, 2021 by Tracyringo

[TheRealMeIsHere! 863]

I am disabled and limited in exercise options. What I did is get a script for PT to show me exercises and moves that I could safely do at home without further injuring myself. As I progressed, I did the same.

With the sleeve, I've gone from about 275# to 119# this morning. I've been maintaining since 2013.

Remember, where there's a will, there's a way!