How far should I be walking?

[EmmyJ 184]

Hi all! I'm 9 days post sleeving and I am trying to make a concerted effort to get out walking every day, but I was wondering about how far/long I should be walking at this stage in the game. Today I walked about three quarters of a mile and started to feel a little tired. I hope that's not pathetic

[clc9 644]

Not pathetic at all! Good for you!

[DJ's Mom 24]

I'm 4 days out and wish I could get that much. Besides walking to and from the bathroom and around the house I haven't gotten much walking in. I live in a snow area and going outside to walk is out the question. Trying to find someone to take me to Walmart or the mall to walk with me has been a little difficult. When I was discharged they said as long as I walk it doesn't matter how much. I just need to get up and move around every 2 hours that I'm awake. So hope that helps.

[sleevinpops 303]

Everyone will be different. You need to go by what your body tells you. You will know when enough is enough. Take multiple short walks if you want or can tolerate.

[AGreenEyedWolf 97]

I was sleeved January 25th... from that evening on, I walked as much as I could every chance I got... and then I would rest and when I felt rested I'd get up and walk again.

Now, I am 3 weeks post surgery and I walk a minimum of 10,000 steps (about 5 miles) a day. I'm not yet cleared for any other exercise yet, so I feel like I should walk as much as I can since it is the only exercise I can have for now!

[BigUtahMan 207]

Not pathetic, awesome you love yourself enough to make it happen. Slow and steady wins the race, walking is great, walk all you can. But I wouldn't push to hard until a couple weeks out. Let you business day heal, but stay active to assist in the healing. Biggest risk factor after surgery is blood clots. Waking is the best preventive activity to counter that risk. So you are moving to circulate your blood, not to loose weight your first several weeks.


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[biginjapan 647]

I've been walking at least 10,000 steps a day (sometimes over 20,000) since being released from the hospital. The first few days I found myself getting quite fatigued early on - I would walk 100 steps and then need to take a break for a minute, before continuing on. Walking uphill was a particular struggle. But, after I pushed through that, I found I could walk non-stop without the fatigue and I had energy all day. This was consistent for about 3 days but now I don't feel that fatigue anymore when I first start out. That said, now that I'm back home and not doing touristy things in San Diego, I'll probably space out my walking over several times a day. I was not given any guidance as to how much walking to do, I just did a lot because I could, and because I wanted to minimise the risk of blood clots on my 15 hour plane ride back to Japan.

I don't think a particular number matters, just that you do as much as you can, when you can. Every person is different. Day 1 post-op I was walking all over the hospital - I probably walked more over 2 days there that all the other patients combined (even the nurses and doctors commented on it). I had so much energy. I could only stay in bed for a couple of hours before wanting to get up and move again. However, other people on my floor really struggled with gas pain and general fatigue. You could see in their eyes and posture - doing one small lap was more than enough for them and then they'd be right back in bed again.

Anyway...as long as you are moving on a somewhat regular basis, you should be doing ok. Hopefully you'll see more progress day by day.

[EmmyJ 184]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I guess I'm not doing too bad. I'll just keep getting stronger and farther each day