How soon did you start exercising after surgery?

[SanDiegoPhotog 0]

I am 6 days post op and while I'm still in a fair amount of pain at times, I think I might be ready to start working out. I'm thinking cardio, not weights, since doc says no lifting over 10 pounds yet. When did you start?

[fluffycat 1]

My doctor said except for walking to wait about 4 weeks. He does not want my ab area to be stretched or any strain put on that area.

[YoungNy 1]

I went for a 20 min walk around the neighborhood 3 days post op. 5 days post op I started 30 mins on the tredmill. 6 days I did 35 mins, then a walk around the mall. Today which is 7 days post op I did, 45 mins slowly climbing to a 2 % incline. I started at 1.6 MPH and increased to 2.5 MPH by today, but I think I over did it. I've lost almost 6 lbs in the last 3 days, but my stomach is very sore. It hurt so bad I had to take pain meds last night. And my legs are killing me (I have a hip replacement). I think I'll rest tomorrow or maybe just not do as much. I'm kinda afaird if I don't excerise my weightloss will slow down or stop completely.

Edited June 10, 2008 by YoungNy

[Northwest_Nance 0]

My doctor said to give it a couple of weeks and then "let pain be your guide". If it hurts, don't do it. I had no restrictions on lifting after surgery either, which surprised me.

I started working out on the Wii Fit and the treadmill (walking at a fairly slow pace) 2 weeks after surgery. When I did the running in place on the Wii Fit I noticed my port area was more tender that night so I stopped doing that, but I've been able to do most of the other exercises.

[AmyJoy510 0]

My doctor also said walking. No strength training for six weeks but to walk, walk, walk.

[betrthnever 107]

Best to go by what your dr says. I walked from day one but it wasn't until 6 to 8 weeks out that I could really excersise. You REALLY don't want to pull anything. Patience now or you might have to pay for it later. My sister use to be one of those people who would work out and do heavy lifting right after surgery until she ended up with a hernia and an infection after her hysterectomy. She ended up with a hole in her stomach for almost 2 years because of chronic infection and a dozen surgeries.

[AmyJoy510 0]

Also, which I never thought of before, my doctor said that even if you do 10 minutes 3 times a day is good and that the old saying "no pain, no gain" is not good. Exercise should not be painful or we wont do it.

[Big Dan 2]

Starting the day I got home I walked a short distance (2 blocks) 2-3 times per day, slowly increasing the distance each day. At a week out I started back at the fitness center on the treadmill for 20 minutes per day for another week and then went up to 30 minutes per day and started very light weight training. At six weeks out I am still not quite up to full lifting weight yet (next week I think) but I am back to 30-40 minutes of cardio each day.

[Guest ZenGarden]

I began walking the first week after surgery and then began working out at the gym about 2 months after.

[PATCHELTON 0]

My doctor said the same: no weight lifting for 6 weeks, walk as soon as you can. They had me walking a bit in the hospital. I spent a day at my sisters and walked around her yard some, then when I got home I walked around the condo parking lot a little untle I could drive. I had started walking in Jan on weekends (too dark after work during the week). I found a nice park near my house (10 min drive) that has a 2 mile asphalt path that runs along a river and has trees and picnic areas. I take peanuts for the squirrels which makes the walk fun. I try to do the path twice which is 4 miles, occasionally 3 times, but mostly 2. Once in a while if I am in a time crunch or the weather threatens I may do one (like yesterday when it was around 95 degrees--I walked at 730). I started noticing my pants getting baggier before I had lost a significant amount of weight. I belong to Curves, too, but couldn't use that until 6 weeks post-op. Once daylight saving time arrived, I could go almost evey day, as I pass the turn for the park on my way home. So I average 4 miles 5-7 times a week, closer to 7 most of the time. I have dropped 2 sizes in work clothes between the weight loss and exercise, from 2x to large, and the large pants look baggy, but my waist is not quite ready for a smaller size. I have made plans for when I lose the daylight and can only do weekends. Besides Curves there is a county rec center near home that has treadmills, ellipticals, recumbent bikes,and weights.

I would suggest start walking now and when they clear you for weights you can add that. I don't walk extremly fast; the number of squirrels I run into determines how fast or slow I walk. Lots of squirrels, lots of stops to throw peanuts. They are my personal trainers at the moment. They are kind of cute too. And I meet lots of other people walking, jogging, biking and walking their dogs. Find something you enjoy.:behindsofa:

[Sirius 0]

I am 5 days post op, and I started working out yesterday. I started with 30 minutes on the elliptical and today I walked an hour on the treadmill at 3.5 speed and 3.0 inclination. I feel very good, and I have no pain, so I think it depends on the way you feel. The sooner you get moving the faster you recover, that's what I think.

[mediummike 0]

I was on the treadmill the morning after surgery for 30 minutes. Went to the mall with family that afternoon and walked around as well. Felt fine. Listen to your body. No "physical" stuff for 4 weeks as per my doctor.

[Big Dan 2]

I think it also makes a difference depending on what shape you were in before the operation. If you only walked a little before don't plan to do a marathon the week after surgery. I've noticed that some people on here are starting at a weight equal to or less than what I want to loose! :behindsofa: I would guess that most people in that category would be in generally better physical shape to start out. We are all going to have a different starting point. Just be careful and not overdo it.

Edited June 10, 2008 by Big Dan

[SanDiegoPhotog 0]

Okay, I've been doing little 10 minute walks here and there, but I think I am going to put my headphones on and try for a little 30 minute walk on flat ground.

I usually speedwalk steep inclines with a double jogging stroller for 60 minutes a day . . . so a nice 30 min saunter with no stroller on flat ground should be okay. I'll stop if I get sore.

Thanks for all the input everyone!

[MCP 0]

After my initial surgery I wanted to exercise immediately. I started a slow walk around my block. All good. Then I thought I might mow the lawn. Not Good! I had to take a couple of days off before I could begin to slowly and mildly exercise again. After they removed the stiches for my port, I realized how restrictive the stitches were and why I was sore and so uncomfortable. Once the stitches were removed which was about 4 weeks after surgery, I was able to execise better and longer. I know my Surgeon didn't want any real stress placed on the wounds for the initial several weeks. Riding the recumbent bike and walking seemed ok but lifting weights was too stressfull to the wound. Once the stitches come out though, sleeping and execising returns to normal.

Hope this helps!