Any bandsters who are disabled?

Spooky · August 17, 2007

Hi, I have been lurking for a bit, and finally decided to post. I have a question right off the hop. Are there any members of this board who had been Banded, that are disabled? I became paraplegic almost 2 years ago, as a result of a medical mistake. My spine was damaged by an epidural when I was giving birth to my daughter. As a result of this injury and being in a wheelchair, plus a healthy dose of depression, I have successfully gained 150 lbs. I lost weight at first, because I was so sick, but gradually, as I got a little better, my appetite have returned and then some. I ate to make myself feel better emotionally. By the time I realized what I have done, it was too late. With my mobility impaired, I could not loose weight. My doctor supports my decision to be banded. My surgery was supposed to be on Aug 1, 07, but I broke my leg when I fell out of my chair on the way to the airport. It was rescheduled for Oct 3/07. He is going to take out my gallbladder as well. I hope I can get my cast off by then.

Finally, my worry is how will I deal with pain and gas. The recommendation is to walk it off as much as you can. Has anyone dealt with this kind of problem before?:help:

Thanks

claramae · August 17, 2007

Hello Spooky--I am disabled, but not to your degree. I have had 3 hip replacements in the same hip in the past 18 months. I have had knee replacement. I cannot walk for long periods time, cannot travel for long distances and cannot sit for long periods. And I am in constant pain to some degree. As a result of my immobility, I have packed it on too. My worry is, how will excerise while trying to loose this weight. I am able to get around with a 4 prong cane, but very slow. I also have an ungodly fear of falling. I know as I loose this weight, I will have less pain in my joints. Please keep me posted as to your progress. My surgery is scheduled for the 27th of August. Let me now if I can do anything.

pvchickie · August 17, 2007

Hi Spooky and Claramae...i am wishing y'all the best and praying you both have great results. I too am diabled, had a car wreck and got a head injury (reminder: everyone wear a seat belt) which eventually caused mental health problems. I gained about 120 lbs in 4 years!I am now able to work again thankfully, I am a therapist (Occupational Therapy) and it's getting harder and harder for me to get patients motivated to exercise when they see me and my weight.Let me also say just how rude some can be...being elderly or being a child is no excuse for good manners in my book (those have been some of the most brutally honest to me). Anyway, I just wanted to let both of you know that there are some really good wheelchair/chair DVD exercise videos...there are actually some good ones for adults...just check out search on web. Any exercise is good exercise for the body and just keep moving whatever you do! Y'all take care...

claramae · August 17, 2007

Hello PVCHICKIE----thanks for your reply. I too have found rude and cruel people out there. It is unbelievable what some people will say. I am not in a wheelchair. I use a cane; one of the 4 prong canes. I hope that when I loose some weight, I will be in less pain and be able to excerise. My husband wants me to join a Water therapy class. Well, two things keep me from going. One, I am afraid of water and the most important reason is that I do not want to put my fat a%^ in a bathing suit. God help me, I would just as soon walk out there naked!!!! Good luck to you and keep me posted.

Spooky · August 17, 2007

Thank you for the response, ladies. I feel a bit better about the whole thing. It sucks being disabled, but it sucks even more to be disabled and fat. Yes, people are rude, sometimes even when they don't mean to be. Quite appaling, really.

And yes, there are other ways to exercise. I go to Tai Chi class every week. I also have DVD, called "Gentle Fitness". The problem with these, is that none of these exercises burn calories. I even have a hand bike, but it does as much for me as one dinner roll would do for a hungry elephant. Which is to say not much. I am really looking forward to having the band done. At least people will stare at me because I am in a wheelchair, and not because I am fat.

They did an experiment with first-graderss, who know nothing of pressures of adult life. They would rather loose a limb then be fat. It is a sad commentary on our times and culture.