Exercise after Surgery

[SMacDonald1985]

Hello again,
I hope its okay that I ask a bunch of questions.

Anyway, what is exercise like after surgery? (Still thinking about surgery and meeting with doctors in a week and a half.)
Even though I am heavier than I have ever been, I work out a lot right now. I currently do kickboxing, belly dance and my husband and I want to try rock climbing hopefully.

Just wondering who soon and if I will be able to be really active again?

[jamma]

Exercise for me has been slow but steady. I was not much of an exerciser anyway, so that could be it. I felt very weak for quite a few weeks, so walking was about it for me. After six weeks I felt so much better and now go to the Y a couple of times a week and just do the elliptical machine or bike. My nutritionist said not to go crazy because it would make me hungry. I always have a few ounces of protein drink after working out.

[Shirl]

Keep up your exercise routine, it will definitely be a plus for a speedy recovery in the event you decide to go through surgery in the future.

I did exercise pre op, but not intensely and persistent. I started going to the gym a week post-op with my surgeon's clearance and unfortunately at about 6-weeks post-op I had a drop in energy. I took a break for several weeks to let my body heal and rest, I started going back to gym, but I wasn't pushing myself like I did immediately post-op. At about 3.5 months post-op I begun a 12-week (3x a week) Get Fit group program with a trainer and it was another great investment on my health and wellbeing. I completed the program last week of November, two weeks short because of travel plans. I hope to rejoin in January, but in the meantime I stay active by walking, hiking, gym, kayaking when I can.

[Christie13]

I started exercising about 2 weeks post op. I have not had any issues feeling tired or drained. Don't know if it's because I take B12 supplements twice a day but I know that's good for energy. I do a lot of strength training right now to try to keep toned. I'm starting a running program in January and have a goal to do a half marathon by December.

[RehabNurse]

I was cleared for exercise at 6 weeks post-op.

I currently run 5 to 7 miles per day, 5 to 6 days a week, at a pace of about 7 miles per hour. Sometimes I run on the treadmill at the gym, but much of the time I run on outdoor trails. Luckily, the city where I live has a scenic river with 26+ miles of trails designed for walking, running and bicycling.

[Christie13]

Yes. That's what I want. To start running like that. I'll get there one day.

[Notoriousbig]

Be persistent. I started one week post op and haven't looked back since. Up at 4:30 am, in the gym at 5 am....75-90 mins on the treadmill, stair stepper or elliptical...then 30 mins of weights. One day of rest per week....a bit over the top but so was not doing crap for 20 years also. Gonna run 5 and 10ks once or twice a month for motivation. I don't weigh myself much anymore but my inches have melted off which makes me a happy guy!=} I'd rather be fit 100 times over than worry about how much I weigh. I use Fitbit to keep me on point and have several friends...we monitor each other and compete a bit. Movement is your friend and when that resting heart rate dips below 50....heaven! Blessings and keep working.....Al

[ghost_ryder]

I went back to the gym one month post surgery. I lost quite a bit of strength and endurance during the month I was gone but built quickly back to where I was pre-surgery. Obviously, I walked quite a bit before resuming my old exercise routines. I liked exercise pre-surgery but I am really enjoying the post-surgery exercise. My endurance is almost back up to were I was when training for a half marathon. I am anxious to start a pilates class to work on my core. I will add this very soon.

But you wont be lifting anything over 10 lbs for the first month if you follow doctors orders.

[sraebaer]

I was told I could do any sort of exercise at 2 weeks.

[Theresa2]

I was told walking at week 1, water aerobics at week 8 but no weights or gym until 8 months. My doctor errs on the cautious side, plus I really wasn't exercising prior to surgery. Now I am at boot camp twice a week doing weights and cardio. I think it will depend on your doctor and your fitness level prior to surgery.

[Kindle]

Just go with what your surgeon recommends. I did not workout before surgery and I haven't stepped foot in a gym after, either. But I have a very physical job (lifting 40-60 pounds daily, bending, squatting, on my feet all day, etc) and active life (ranch chores, feeding horses, yardwork, shoveling, plowing, hiking, kayaking, skiing, etc). I adhered to my 20 pound lifting restriction for three weeks and then was right back to normal activity.

[metroplexchl]

I am 3 days post op and asked the same questions to my dr. He said you can walk all you want right now. maybe not a mountain trail or anything, but start walking around the block now. He said wait a couple of weeks for riding my exercise bike, and this is more so I won't agrivate the 4 little stitches I have. But as far as walking around the office distances, I'm going back to work on Tuesday.

Oh, no heavy lifting for a while though.

[SMacDonald1985]

Thank you all for your replies. I'll be meeting with doctors next week and will be asking a lot of questions. Thankfully the appointment is set up for almost 3 hours. My guess they have a lot of my health background to look through and do measurements and such.