When can I start exercising post-op?

[elle_who 0]

Hi all, I'm scheduled for March 15, 2008. When can I start exercising after the op? Are there any restriction for any kind of sports/exercise?

[Wheetsin 714]

My surgeon advised to wait 4 weeks for light exercise (walking), 6 weeks for moderate exercise (elliptical, etc.) and 8-10 weeks for anything that would strain the abdomen (weightlifting, exercise balls, etc.)

Ask your surgeon for their specific guidelines.

[Ceradad 10]

I was told I could start doing cardio as soon as I felt up to it. I was walking my dog w/i 2 days and by the next week, I was at the gym on the treadmill.

I was also told I could start lifting weights after 2 wks. Just as long as I started off light and worked my way up. Just no abdominal work for 4 wks.

It all depends on what your dr wants. I would suggest asking that question pre op so you can start on a plan.

[hungry4help 0]

i played a lot of tennis before surgery and my doc actually said i could start hitting after 2 weeks. it's been 8 days and despite what he says, i'm just not feeling up to it. however, 4 days out of surgery, i was up and trying to walk a mile or two a day.

my two cents: listen to your doctor *and* your body. best of luck to you.

[marathinner 1]

My doc gave me the green light for all exercise (minus HEAVY weightlifting) after 3 weeks. I went back to my strength training class and wal/jogging on week 3. I walked everday post-op...helped tremendously with the gas!!

[Texgirly 0]

Hey Elle - I was wondering the same thing sometime ago and started the thread linked below. There are some great answers and real inspiring bandster.

Based on what I was doing pre-band and my surgeon, I am a week post op and have started 20 min on the treadmill at the gym everyday. Good luck and I look forward to watching you on this journey.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f81/exercise-after-surgery-when-what-51623/

[olgi330 0]

I was felling ok until about a week ago when I went to a pulmonologist appt b/c of a cough I've had for 2 months. Part of the exam involved him pressing down on my belly (not near the port) to see if the cough was reflux-related, and it didn't hurt then, but the next day and even now 3 days later I get really stinging pain where the port is, like the stiches inside are burning. The pain is progressively less frequent and much less intense but I'm pissed off that it wasn't there b4 and I have to deal w/it now. I want to start to exercise since the weight loss is VERY slow and I'm alwys hungry, I even had a blue moment:sad: where I turned to a soft brownie w/fudge for comfort. At least that is my first bad slip up since I got banded. I'm still under 1000 calories daily. Its the Protein minimun I cant seem to usually meet. Once the discomfort goes away I'll put in the exercise. I just dont want to hurt myself right now. I'm fine walking so I'll stick to that for now. At least my cough is cured...

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[elle_who 0]

Thank you guys for the info! and thank you Txtgirly! My op went completely well last saturday and I'm home now, walking around, sitting down as much as I could because laying down too much gave me headaches. Of course the incision wounds still hurt, and I still need to walk/move real slow, no squatting, no bend over.

I think I should be able to start the treadmill or just walking around the park within 3-4 days.

My doctor didn't instruct me for any pre-op diet, and since Saturday morning when I last weighed myself, I've only lost 3 pounds. But hey, it's a start, right? :mad2: