Walking Post-op

[pinx 18]

This is a personal preference question, but including the doctor's advice is always helpful.

How much did you start walking the week after surgery? How fast and how far was a smart pace for you? Did it help you heal faster or prolong healing because you pushed yourself too far?

In my situation, we had to drive 2 hours, so the day of surgery, there was no walking for me. Then my kids got a stomach bug, so I had to be quaranteened to avoid picking that up (as in they were sick the day after I got home!) I am not on day 3 and can go walk. I did half a mile. Before surgery, I did not walk very much unless I was going on a nature walk/hike. Anyway, my head was hurting and so was my chest, so we came back to the house after half a mile to be safe, but I am thinking I should get back out there again. However, I do not want to over do it or get burnt out too earlier.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

It really depends on how much you're physically able to walk.

When I had Lap Band surgery 15 months ago, I was lucky to be able to hobble around my house with a cane the week after surgery so I just did as much as I could. However just last week ago I had another laproscopic surgery that involved air inflating the abdominal cavity (gall bladder removal). Because I was 200 pounds lighter and healthier, I was able to take a 1 mile walk just 4 days after surgery. By day 7, I was back to my daily 2 mile walks.

So really, it all comes down to how much you can walk. I can tell you the more you walk the better you'll feel. It really does help work out all that air in your abdomen and work the Water weight off.

[Maddysgram 6,159]

The minute I left recovery room, I started walking the halls. I've had abdominal surgery before and knew how bad gas could be. I can't stress enough how important walking is. Now you don't have to walk a marathon, but getting up every 2 hrs and taking a short stroll is good for you.

Good luck

[Maddysgram 6,159]

BTW- a lot of us experience headaches for a day or two and I think it is due to the anesthesia and other drugs we are given.

[marfar7 1,533]

The day after surgery, I started walking about 5 minutes at a time on my treadmill. really slowly. About every 4 hrs or so. Then, after a few days, worked it up to 10 minutes several times a day. Within a month post op, I was able to walk 30 minutes twice a day, at a moderate pace.

Just go slowly, but keep walking. Not only will it help with the gas, it can prevent blood clots!

Marci

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

2 hrs after i woke up, my hub and a hot as heck nurse (male) helped me up and down the hall and we did that quite a few more times until i left for home the next day....once home, i walked as much as i was able..due to my size/knee/leg pain, i couldnt go far but i did what i could.........the more i lost, the farther i can go.... agree with maddawg on the headache for a day or two...it did go away....

[pinx 18]

Thanks everyone! I am up to 3x a day at .5-.75 miles each trip. I am also getting faster each time without even trying. I use mapmywalk to keep track.