TYRey12 27 Posted June 22, 2016 Hey everyone. Today marks 2 weeks since my sleeve surgery, and I am feeling great. Been back to work for a few days, very little pain, able to eat soft solids with no issues (if I slow down), walking pretty good in the evenings, etc. Question I have is in regards to working out. When would be a good time to start working out? Not just cardio stuff, but I really would like to start lifting weights. Not crazy amounts of weight or anything, but at least starting with some basic low-volume stuff and ramp up from there. Just listen to my body and take it slow? I just don't want to pop a staple. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Waler 330 Posted June 22, 2016 that is one of those things that is probably best answered by your surgeon since everyone recovers differently Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KristenLe 5,979 Posted June 22, 2016 Hey everyone. Today marks 2 weeks since my sleeve surgery, and I am feeling great. Been back to work for a few days, very little pain, able to eat soft solids with no issues (if I slow down), walking pretty good in the evenings, etc. Question I have is in regards to working out. When would be a good time to start working out? Not just cardio stuff, but I really would like to start lifting weights. Not crazy amounts of weight or anything, but at least starting with some basic low-volume stuff and ramp up from there. Just listen to my body and take it slow? I just don't want to pop a staple. I believe it's at least 6 weeks but check with your surgeon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christinamo7 4,042 Posted June 22, 2016 your surgeon will know exactly when to release you, and I suppose this will depend somewhat on what all they did. I had no hernia repair or anything and I was released to full activity at 4 weeks. until then I only did (non pushing it) walking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OutsideMatchInside 10,166 Posted June 22, 2016 @ Ask your doctor because everyone and their situation is different. Don't take advice from the internet on this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigViffer 3,544 Posted June 22, 2016 lol, 2 weeks?! Man I was lucky to even be awake at the end of the workday and I have an office job! Like it was said above, it all depends on the individual. Me personally, I had to get my medications straightened before going back to the gym. I am happy to report that I am off everything except my arthritic medicine and that is down to once a day. But if you are on BP meds, you are going to feel like absolute crap because it will lower your BP below normal. I started back at the gym 6 weeks after surgery. And like you I thought I could do weights. Needless to say, I wasn't eating enough to give me any real energy. I know it's not manly, but stick to walking and stationary bike for the beginning. Not only are you going to be low energy, but the Protein you are taking in should be dedicated to healing and repairing tissue from the surgery, not building muscle. When you divide your total Protein intake between healing and trying to build, you slow down your healing process and you won't be making any serious gains. Walking, biking, and maybe the elliptical will help prevent atrophy, but they won't build. Give it a few months. This isn't a race. This is the rest of your life. So while getting in the gym now may feel like working to a goal, it is really about making it a habit. Come hang out in the Guy's Room, check out a few of the threads there. We try to build each other up and there may be some competition, but it's not against each other. Not to say my posts are gospel, but you may find some of the information useful in the threads I started over there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMP 1 Posted June 22, 2016 lol, 2 weeks?! Man I was lucky to even be awake at the end of the workday and I have an office job! Like it was said above, it all depends on the individual. Me personally, I had to get my medications straightened before going back to the gym. I am happy to report that I am off everything except my arthritic medicine and that is down to once a day. But if you are on BP meds, you are going to feel like absolute crap because it will lower your BP below normal. I started back at the gym 6 weeks after surgery. And like you I thought I could do weights. Needless to say, I wasn't eating enough to give me any real energy. I know it's not manly, but stick to walking and stationary bike for the beginning. Not only are you going to be low energy, but the Protein you are taking in should be dedicated to healing and repairing tissue from the surgery, not building muscle. When you divide your total Protein intake between healing and trying to build, you slow down your healing process and you won't be making any serious gains. Walking, biking, and maybe the elliptical will help prevent atrophy, but they won't build. Give it a few months. This isn't a race. This is the rest of your life. So while getting in the gym now may feel like working to a goal, it is really about making it a habit. Come hang out in the Guy's Room, check out a few of the threads there. We try to build each other up and there may be some competition, but it's not against each other. Not to say my posts are gospel, but you may find some of the information useful in the threads I started over there. BigViffer, You mention "the Guy's Room". I am a newbie, where might I find this room. Thanks, G Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mummer 132 0 Posted June 22, 2016 your surgeon will know exactly when to release you, and I suppose this will depend somewhat on what all they did. I had no hernia repair or anything and I was released to full activity at 4 weeks. until then I only did (non pushing it) walking. Sent from my VS986 using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TYRey12 27 Posted June 22, 2016 Thanks for the advice, folks. I don't go back and see my surgeon until the 4 week mark, so we'll see what he has to say. BigViffer - Yep, I will be headed over there before too long. Just getting my feet wet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TYRey12 27 Posted June 22, 2016 lol, 2 weeks?! Man I was lucky to even be awake at the end of the workday and I have an office job! Like it was said above, it all depends on the individual. Me personally, I had to get my medications straightened before going back to the gym. I am happy to report that I am off everything except my arthritic medicine and that is down to once a day. But if you are on BP meds, you are going to feel like absolute crap because it will lower your BP below normal. I started back at the gym 6 weeks after surgery. And like you I thought I could do weights. Needless to say, I wasn't eating enough to give me any real energy. I know it's not manly, but stick to walking and stationary bike for the beginning. Not only are you going to be low energy, but the Protein you are taking in should be dedicated to healing and repairing tissue from the surgery, not building muscle. When you divide your total Protein intake between healing and trying to build, you slow down your healing process and you won't be making any serious gains. Walking, biking, and maybe the elliptical will help prevent atrophy, but they won't build. Give it a few months. This isn't a race. This is the rest of your life. So while getting in the gym now may feel like working to a goal, it is really about making it a habit. Come hang out in the Guy's Room, check out a few of the threads there. We try to build each other up and there may be some competition, but it's not against each other. Not to say my posts are gospel, but you may find some of the information useful in the threads I started over there. That is great information, thank you! I've been slightly stubborn when it comes to my recovery because I have been feeling so good, that I've maybe pushed it more than I should have a few times. Like you said, need to remember it isn't a race. I will admit though, just hearing the word "atrophy" makes me hyper ventalate Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigViffer 3,544 Posted June 22, 2016 @@GMP - Here you go: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/431-the-guys’-room/ @ - It will take a while, but the one piece of advice that I hope anyone reading my posts takes to heart is this: Leave your ego in the locker room. Too often we men get in a weight room and we become focused on the numbers and not the results. Slow and steady is the way to win this "race". Incremental gains should be your goal. It's not just your muscles you need to be worried about. They WILL atrophy in the beginning. Accept it but set yourself up for success later. You will also need to focus on Calcium and Vitamin D and increasing bone density. Your legs should be good since by nature of being overweight they had to become strong to carry us. Unless you have arthritis like me and then it can become an issue. Weight loss doesn't happen overnight and neither will a strong body. Focus on long term goals for the best chance of success. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
audaciousmarie 165 Posted June 22, 2016 Hey everyone. Today marks 2 weeks since my sleeve surgery, and I am feeling great. Been back to work for a few days, very little pain, able to eat soft solids with no issues (if I slow down), walking pretty good in the evenings, etc. Question I have is in regards to working out. When would be a good time to start working out? Not just cardio stuff, but I really would like to start lifting weights. Not crazy amounts of weight or anything, but at least starting with some basic low-volume stuff and ramp up from there. Just listen to my body and take it slow? I just don't want to pop a staple. I agree that its best to check and double check with surgeon as this can be a very individual process as far as healing goes. Sent from my SM-G928T using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TYRey12 27 Posted July 8, 2016 Had my 4 week post op on Tuesday and surgeon said that I am free to workout as I wish, but just listen to my body. If something feels like it is pulling or stretching too much (specifically the larger wound on my right side), to ease up a bit. Ready to get rockin' & rollin'! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yeaaahBEE 29 Posted July 8, 2016 I'm 17 days Post OP and I've starting working out. I'm starting slow, did about 20 mins on elliptical did some lower body strength, and I hit the pool. Working out in the pool is my favorite cause it's easy on my joints and I get a better resistance. After telling my doctor Thursday that I started working out, he encouraged it so that makes me happy. I'm going to a fitness coach tomorrow to start a workout plan for August. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlossieM 8 Posted July 9, 2016 Hi all - just joined the site and great to read all your advice. I am 9 days post op. I was pretty active pre-op so don't want to just stop that now. I feel great so I am doing lots of walking for now and I did some light weights in the gym yesterday. My surgeon said I should be able to play tennis 14 days post op but I will see how I feel when I get there. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Share this post Link to post Share on other sites