How soon after surgery can you start abdomincal exercises?

[Eileenja 0]

Can somebody please tell me how soon after surgery they were able to start abdominal exercises? Also, does anybody know of a really good tape/cd that features abdominal exercises. I am worried about sagging skin, so I hope that somebody has some ideas for me. Thanks!

[Alexandra 55]

Hi Eileen,

What did your doctor say about exercising after surgery? I'd suggest waiting at least a week or two, but that's just a guess.

With regard to sagging skin, exercising your abs only strengthens the ab muscles. It won't do anything about the skin over the muscles; if it's going to sag it's going to sag.

[NancySmiles 2]

I started strength/weight training after my 2 week checkup....and was fine. Normally do Water aerobics but my scars had not completely healed yet.....so I did a 10 week session with a perconal trainer while I waited.

[Jasper 0]

What kind of ab exercises are we allowed to do? My doc said absolutely no situps....Are there any other ones that won't affect the port?

[Alexandra 55]

What kind of ab exercises are we allowed to do? My doc said absolutely no situps....Are there any other ones that won't affect the port?

No situps until when? Ever? That's absurd. My doctor puts no restrictions on any exercise whatsoever after we're healed.

[vinesqueen 2]

Hey Jasper! Situps are not a good choice to begin with. They put too much stress on the lower back. Crunches are the way to go, much easier on the back! I've started back doing my crunches and I'm working my way back to my pre-op level, and hope to move beyond the 50-60 crunches I was doing almost every day. I'm working at doing 30 every-other day this week, and will move to 40 next week.

Pilaties is very good for the ab too, plus it is no impact, unless you fall off your ball...

[Monica 0]

Hi Eileen,

I started back with crunches/weights/light cardio at about 2 1/2 weeks out. Everything went fine, but I did notice that a few positions while doing crunches caused some soreness at the port site so I stopped and switched positions. I think your body will tell you if it doesn't like what you're doing! Other than that the exercize felt great and I think it helped get that bloated feeling out of my tummy. Good Luck!

Monica

Banded 3/2/2005

185 at surgery, now 171

Down 14!!!!

[Jasper 0]

Yeh he said no sit ups ever. The titanium port can cause abdominel bruising. Has anyone ever heard this before?

[Alexandra 55]

Nope, I've never heard that and I do ab exercises all the time. Maybe it has something to do with where your port is attached?