not being able to walk very far...

I was told that most surgeons would not perform bariatric surgery on you if you couldnt walk for at least 20 minutes. I can't. I have knee and back problems, I couldnt even walk half that. Do you think I will have any problems?

I have back and knee problems, too, and my surgeon never specified how much I had to be able to exercise. What he told me was that I needed to start doing what I could (which I did) from the first meeting I had with him. Good luck. Lisa L.

I too have knee problems and being able to walk for 20 minutes never even came up in any discussion with the surgeon. I did get a recumbant bike for exercise purposes and do that five days a week. It is much easier on my knees since they don't have to bear the weight. Good luck, Sally

I had serious back problems at the time I first meet with my surgeon. I could hardly walk at all. I had a completely detriated disk, and my back had been broken as a child and healed crooked. I was verly making it to the bathroom and back to the bed. My back doctor said the only way to help it was to fuse it in both places. The gastric surgeon was afraid I would get blood clots not being able to walk enough. My back and gastric surgeons discussed it and decided the back surgery needed done first. I had my back surgery on April 1, 2005 and my gastric bypass on Feb. 28, 2006. Good luck with it, I really believe it is up to the bariatric surgeon. love marie

Hey there! I have never heard that one before. Most of the surgeons I read about go by your bmi. Mine was 67 and I weighed 397lbs. They do want the bmi down some because of the risk factor but never heard of the walking part.Hope that helps.. Hugs Marge

When I had surgery (3-30-05) I walked with a cane, could make it about 15 feet before back pain and breathlessness overcame me. There was never a mention of needing to be able to walk better as a requirement ... so much as there was a *promise* my life would become better, and walking would become easier. A promise kept, as far as I'm concerned ... the cane's gathering cobwebs in the bedroom closet, and I can walk a mile now (started out trying to get to successive driveways on my street). Keep the faith! Myra

I'm pre-op, and only semi-ambulatory right now. I can walk short distances with a walker, but need a wheelchair for long distances. As far as exercise, I bought a tabletop arm bike and I use that for at least 30 minutes every day. My bariatric doc says that any exercise at all is beneficial -- it's not restricted to walking. Perhaps you need to talk to you doctor about what kind of exercises are best for you. I look forward to the day when I won't need the stupid wheelchair. It's big and awkward and no matter what kind of cushion I use, I'm never comfortable sitting in it. Kix