Exercise?

[Snowymtnrn]

Question. I'm a week out tomorrow from being sleeved. i had a little slower recuperation because i came down with a stupid respiratory cold that kept me coughing like crazy. I had my surgery because my lungs looked ok, but the coughing and overall weakness from that and surgery made me recuperate slower. I only took the liquid Lortab for pain due to the coughing! Anyway, i'm almost off that completely and know i need to start some exercise. What do you recommend? what's the best way to start out but not overkill?

[Think]

Walk. Walking is really the best early and gradual exercise you can do. Keep it as brisk as possible, if you can do 3 mph thats a great start. And make sure your calories can support the exercise as well. We all want to lose the weight quick, but you want to be safe and have the energy to be able to exercise too. Be sure to add in some water to offset the exercise you do. As walking becomes easier for you, you can either increase the speed or do some gentle weight work. My doctor gave me a release that no lifting over 25 pounds for the first 2 weeks. So I could do some gentle weight training within those parameters.

What were your surgeon's instructions regarding exercise?

[sraebaer]

Yep, just walk. Start around your house. Then start gradually increasing the distance from what you can do today, even if it's 10 minutes today, 15 minutes tomorrow, etc.

I am 3 weeks out, and still don't have all my energy back, so don't push it. I'm doing 3 miles now, but on the hills I take breathing breaks on the way up!

[Kimpossible318]

Agree about the walking. You aren't really supposed to do anything more strenuous than walking (or maybe light elliptical or bike) for the first 6-8 weeks.

Hope you are on the up and up now! Isn't that Lortab so nasty?! Ugh.

[Snowymtnrn]

I may try 15 min of walking today. See how that goes. I am on 25 lb weight restriction for thr first 2 weeks. Thanks everyone!

[Cleverjuls]

Please take it easy. I walked up the block and back until I truly wanted to walk around the block. it didn't take long until I wanted to wake further and was walking a mile, then a mile twice a day. now I am up to two and a half miles. Take you naps and take it easy. Everything will come in due time.

[cowgirljane]

Most surgeons recommend starting easy does it walking and building up. I was told to wait 6-8 weeks before adding more intensity or really working out. I increased my walking intensity and joined the YMCA where I started doing water aerobics and using the elliptical and machines at 8 weeks.
Over time, I have changed my routine many times and continue to evolve, i think it is important to not over do it early, but do stay focused on changing to a more active lifestyle overall... it is a process much like losing the weight is.

[LtWeight]

I started walking everyday several times and was allowed to go back to swimming and water aerobics as soon as the incisions were healed. It took 3-4 weeks for my steri strips to come off and i could be sure there were no scabs. But I took it easy when I returned for the first couple of weeks too.