Looking for friends to talk to with similar goals

jokarenk

Hi I just started the weight management clinic 9 days ago to lose weight. I have had 3 spinal surgeries 2 in my L2-L5/S1 and 1 in my C6/C7. I have degenerative disc disease, spondylitis, stenosis, and osteoarthritis in my spine. I need another lumbar surgery on my L1/L2 and replacement screws in the L2/L3 region along with cleaning out the bone growth where the surgery area has been from the vertebrate rubbing. In order to do this my surgeon said I have to lose weight and keep it off and in doing so will slow down the degeneration in my spine and I won't have to have spinal surgeries every other year that I could go up to 10+ years without one as most who have had spinal surgery know that fusions weaken the vertebrates above and below the site.
I have been put on a 1200cal high protein? (>75g) eating plan and walking 30min a day 5x a week even if it is 10min 3x a day and some strength info chair exercises so as not to hurt my spine any further.
It has been 9 days as I said and I just had a sleep apnea test last night which was awful. I have lost 4.5lbs so far she also told me not to eat the calories I burn off.
I am in the program as well to have a sleeve gastrectomy as it is more permanent than the other choices and will be on here quite a while.
I am close to 38 years old and married with two children. I would love to find some friends on here in a similar situation that can talk to about the processes involved and help keep each other accountable. I am very positive and very determined to do this so I can get my spine fixed and be healthy. Hope to talk to someone soon and help each other if needed.