How soon were you able to exercise?

[Syry180 0]

Good evening all,

This is my first real post but I have been a huge fan of the site since I made my decision to have the surgery (6/15/10 - Dr Alvarez), there is so much great information on here!

For those post-op; how soon after surgery were you able to workout? I've read that we are supposed to be up and walking as much as we can as soon as can (to help with the gasiness right?). How long was it before you could go for a good 20-30 minutes on an elliptical? How long until you were able to lift weights?

My fiance & I enjoy going to the gym together, hiking etc but the issues my weight brings really limits what we can do (the creakiness my weight has added to my knees, back, etc). In reviewing the plethora of information from my doctor & many forums, the info was pretty vague. We've put together a good diet plan around the progressing stages of the post-op diet but we have been struggling coming up with any real expectations as to when we could start working out again.

hehe, we both work in finance and can't help building out development plans - even if it's just a rough outline that will progress as I am progressing.

Thank you for your time!

Paul

[stcyt 15]

I was hiking mountain trails... maybe 3 miles by day 6. I had to wear an ab binder though because I was still pretty sore and swolen and the movement was painful. I was moving slow but it was nice to get out.

I started doing light cardio around day 8.

I would like to start with some weights but my post op instructions say nothing but walking and very light cardio until 6 weeks post op.

Hope that helps with the planning.

Oh.... and..... welcome to the board

Stacey

[victorbeatles 1]

Hey Paul!

I started walking about 3 hours after I woke up from the anesthesia; I walked about 15 minutes twice that same day. Three days later I started walking about two miles everyday since then.

[djwalker 0]

I just sent an email to Dr. Aceves office asking the same question. This is the email that I received:

concerning exercise:

8 weeks after you can start yoga

8 weeks after surgery you can you can began using the eliptical trainer

This is good since it protects your back, knees, ankles and hips.

but just start with 10 min at the most

10 weeks after surgery you do abdominal crunches

12 weeks after surgery you can start pilates

Running can start 12 weeks after surgery. Start slowly with 10 to 15 min a day increasing 15 min per week up to 45 min a day

Lifting weights can start 12 weeks after surgery, start slowly .

began with 10 lbs, then increase to 15 lbs the first 6 weeks

Lift no more than 20 to 30 lbs after that

after 3months you can lift more than 30 lbs ( upto 50 lbs only )

[Swiftflow 6]

Walking is fine, my doc even ok'ed walking at an incline. Anything more strenuous than that he said 6 weeks--better safe then sorry on the abdominal muscles.

[Syry180 0]

Great info! Thank you all! :001_tongue:

[Mary Gordon 3]

yes i started walking because i was getting lots of gases, and then i started going to the gym a month later my surgery.......started lifting some light weight and then i started doing zumba and kickboxing i love it!!!:confused1:

[delawaregal 2]

Anyone know when you can start yoga classes?

[djwalker 0]

Gaby at Dr. Aceves office said you can start yoga at 8 weeks. If you read a few posts up you will see where I posted an email about when you can start certain work outs from Gaby.

[mommaof4yoopers 3]

I was 3 wks, maybe a bit less. I was under doc supervision and just got into the swing of my life a little quicker post-op. Easy to do when your help leaves you with 4 kids to wrangle!

Listen to your body and be smart about it. I kept weights by the couch and just curled during shows... didn't use my abs at all but felt like I was doing something. Just feeling like I was making some sort of attempt helped a lot!

Good luck!

[CraftyChristie 62]

I was walking 30 mins by day 4 and up to 60 mins the 2nd week. I am at 4 weeks now, I walked a 5 K last weekend and did 3 hikes this weekend. I am still supposed to wait to do cardio machines and weight lifting until 6 weeks, but I'm allowed to swim when my incisions are totally closed up (I'm a slow healer so not quite there yet.) Personally I don't see how it's ok for me to hike but not be on an elliptical... but oh well dr's orders right? It's summer so I may as well be outside and not at the gym.

I see you would be sleeved by now... hope it's going well!

[Mary Gordon 3]

i started walking after 3 weeks and one month later i started going to the gym....slowly i 've been lifting more weight and more cardio....take it slowly and gradually increase strength.:thumbup1:

[sickofrollercoaster 7]

I am 6 weeks post op and so far the only activity I get is chasing my kids. I still do not have the energy level back but I think I am going to bite the bullet and start something, even if it is just walking the neighborhood while kids ride bikes. It is in the mid 90s here so that would be the only reason we do not make it a very long time outside!

PS Stacey, congrats on the weight loss!

PPS Melisa! Only 29 more to go!!! Great job!