Walking, walking... how much?

[anialw 1]

Ok so all I hear from my Dr, hospital and everyone on here is to keep walking. I get it, it's very important. But how much walking? Like seriously, specifically?

I am 3 days post op, surgery was 7/2. I am mostly off pain meds, it just makes me groggy and sleepy and yucky and the soreness is not too bad. Gas is huge so I hear walk.

It is 100 degrees here (and we have a heat wave coming for a week) so I do most of my walking in the house or when I take the dog in the back yard. And when I say walking, I walk back and forth in my home a few times a day (maybe 5 or 6) for 10 minutes or so. Sometimes I have the tv on and walk in circles in the tv room (my dog doesn't know what the heck is going on :-) ). I definitely feel the gas coming up when I walk but then its really painful and I force burbs because otherwise my chest hurts from the pressure and it dies go away.

So is that enough? More? How much should I be doing?

Thank you so much for all your wisdom. Looking forward to the next few weeks, months, and life as a new me.

[joatsaint 2,814]

My doctor wanted me to walk 20 minutes a day 7 days a week. Not necessarily 20 minutes in a row. He said, if I needed to, break it up into smaller periods - just as long as it all added up to 20 minutes at the end of the day.

[READY4CHANGE2013 88]

I was told to walk NO less than 30 minutes a few times a day. Since you really can't do anything else I'm guessing walking is going to be your new best friend !! Good luck!

[jdelarose 5]

This was what i hated the most, I just wanted to sleep alllllllll day... Walking was so painful but def. helped the painful gas...don't worry this too shall pass

[PhoenixTheDiva 112]

My doctor said 20 minutes daily then after 4 Weeks add more time. Good luck!

[JProx 161]

First week 1 hour a day if you have no pain, and again we are all different and have different comfort levels.

[makemyownluck 785]

Good question! I never asked my doc! I just walked around as much as I could tolerate. Sounds like that's what you're doing, too.

Have you tried Gas-X? I used the strips and they helped TREMENDOUSLY with gas. More than walking.

[anialw 1]

Thank you for all your responses! Wow there is definitely lots of different advice and dr's orders. I guess I will just do my best and not over exert myself. I am feeling so much better today.

I woke up early and went for a walk around the block before the oppressive heat and sun kicked in full force. It took me about 25 minutes with some stops as half the route is at an incline but I felt good and not too tired. I ended up going back to bed, this not eating food definitely takes away lots of energy. I am walking in the house again for 10 to 15 minutes mostly because its boring. I am planning to head out to the local department store to shop/walk some more in the AC. Its only a 5 minute drive but its nice and big and I can put in at least another 20 minutes of walking in.

My gas has been down since I am now easier to pass gas. Never thought that would make me happy!

Thanks so much, small steps but better every day.