Intense exercise?

[Beeks]

Hi Everyone!

While I am currently very overweight, I do LOVE group fitness exercise classes. I take a high energy dance cardio class a few times a week, some strength training classes with weights where we do planks, push-ups, mountain climbers, etc...and a yoga class. I really, really love my workouts...regardless of the fact that my body does not even come close to showing that I exercise several days a week.

I am wondering if any of you had any issues doing these type of workouts after surgery? I am not talking about the month following surgery of course, but in the long run. Is there any concern at all with intense exercise and the sleeve? I realize this is probably a silly question, but I am still in the beginning research stages

[DesertGal]

I would LOVE to be in a zumba class again. I went for a year in 2013 when I lost 50 pounds, but gave it up because my tendonitis turned into an Achilles tendon detachment. After being on steroids for a year and gaining around 90 pounds back, it's a distant memory. But I hope in the future to once again join a class. My tendon was reattached and so flippin' tight that it will never be flexible again but I can modify my workout. Looking forward to the future with my new sleeve!

[Tamera2]

Good Afternoon, Intense workouts aren't a problem if you start them after healing. My surgeon allowed walking immediately after surgery but no running for 6 weeks, can't lift more than 10lbs first 6 weeks!!!! than no more than 25lbs first 8 weeks!!!!. No Abdominal work for 8 weeks, no pushing or pulling movements for 6 weeks. know that I'm 8 weeks out I added weight lifting and weight machines low weight high repetitions,30-50mins on elliptical,30mins on bike, walk a lap,joke a lap up to 4-5laps than finish 3-7miles with walking. I do planks and stretches when done. I take high intensity water aerobics class followed by water yoga 4 days a week. However there are lots of people on here further along doing more or higher intensity. Long story short once healed your exercising won't be a problem. Sounds like before surgery you will need to address what has called you to over eat and get you to the place needed help to loose weight. Has you know you have to consume less than your putting into your body. The Sleeve has been the best tool and given me a much better quality of life. I'm happier than I've been in a long time. I'm so excited I just joined a local group that has all kinds of fitness activities you can participate both during the week or weekends. Activities for all levels. You sighn up for what ever your interested. Going on a 10mile exercise walk on Thursday somewhere I've always wanted to go, Hike arranged on weekend, Bootcamp Saturday. I love my new life. Good Luck with your decision and journey.

[Tamera2]

That sounds awful Lori. I just started water zumba class and love it. When your healed and can do that you might see if they have that in your area. I'm 8 weeks out and already my life is fun,active. Can you imagine how much better our life will be when we loose all are weight? Don't know how I carried so much weight around, no wonder I was so tired all the time and in pain. Steroids are awful and wear alot of my wt.came too. Once you start healing because I know this first week is a bit crummy you'll experience amazing things especially with all the weightloss you've had already. Hang in there, this will become a distant memory before to long.

[sraebaer]

No problem. You can do as intense as you want!

[Donald G]

I started really amping up my gym workouts after 6 weeks post op. My doctor gave me the go ahead from a WLS stand point the only thing slowing me down at all is my back injury.

[Christie13]

You just have to listen to your body. No problems with exercising and it is highly encouraged!

[RehabNurse]

I run an average of 30 miles per week, either outdoors on local running trails or at the gym.

Today I ran five miles on the treadmill at the gym. I cooled down by pedaling four miles over 20 minutes on a recumbent stationary bike. Moderate to high-intensity exercise enables me more freedom with my food choices and has helped me achieve tight weight control in maintenance.

[Luna354]

You just have to listen to your body. I was told walking only until after 1 month follow up. I started doing body combat 3 weeks post op. When I told my dr at 1 month appointment that I kind of dumb it down because I wasn't technically allowed to exercise yet, he laughed and said yea, we just tell people that so they'll be a little cautious. He said listening to your body and knowing what you can and can't do is important. I couldn't do anything that worked my abs for a over a month.

[Beeks]

Thank you everyone! I take a class where we do a lot of ab work, so I wasn't sure if there were specific exercise you were never allowed to do again or something. Sounds like once healed everything is fine!

[Sandra3]

my tendonitis turned into an Achilles tendon detachment. After being on steroids for a year and gaining around 90 pounds back, it's a distant memory.

I had Achilles issues (allergic reaction to an antibiotic 15 years ago) it almost ruptured and took two years to get better after trying "almost everything".
Steroids and all treatments for my asthma also make me gain weight like crazy...
So here, after taking my PPI for 13 months, we (doc and I) realize that my last issue (double tendonitis) that started since June after a fall with one knee injured then the other knee became bad since December, could be also a side effect of the medication. Just saying : if you can avoid the PPI...because for sure it was one of the reason for my strong nausea for six months (the very same day I was able to cut my dosage in half it almost disappear!)..indeed we have no solid proof for the ligament issue or the nausea being linked to the PPI but strong doubts...and the last studies published about PPIs are going that way too.

[Sandra3]

but in the long run.

First, starting the sleeve process with a body that is fit is a really good thing. I was not very into sport before the surgery but walking as much as possible and doing my house cleaning myself etc...during the pre-approval process I had a scan done at the hospital (like the DEXA in the US) and the doc was impressed by my heavy muscular mass. It does help do have more muscle because your BMR will be higher. I was huge, my BMI was around 53. But more muscle was important.
While I was not a couch potato pre-op, I was still much in pain as soon as I exercised. And really I was mostly walking every day, nothing much except yoga. I had many set back along the way post-op and slowly recovering from my last injury. A few days ago I was able to walk 8 kms which was great because for the past month I couldn't go higher than 3 (double tendonitis healing). The more I exercise the better I feel, I got back on my bike a few weeks ago, it was such an amazing feeling to finally "win" one battle.
In the long run I think that you will find it easier to exercise after losing may be 50 pounds and it will help you a lot to maintain later. Exercise is an important part of that surgery, no doubts about it. The last studies show it's also helping our brain cells so it's just a win win.

[Shirl]

I have read mixed reviews from Bariatric surgeons about when to start exercising. Personally, I wish I had waited. I felt invisible initially and was cleared for cardio at one week post op follow up. At about six-weeks post op I was depleted mind/body/spirit. I took it easy to about 4-5 months post op, stuck to mainly walking and swimming.

However, come 5-months I started a 12-week get fit program 3x a week. During that time I lost over 12lbs of pure fat! and I gained several pounds of muscle per the pre/post DeXA body composition scans I had as part of my program. Most importantly, I lost a significant amount of visceral fat in my midsection which is a culprit to Type2 Diabetes and other metabolic and heart Disease.

From about December to now I have been on a break, but just signed up for another strength training program. I got 12 (60 min.) personal trainer sessions starting tomorrow.

[jamma]

I am not an exerciser, but have been working with a personal trainer (to avoid exacerbating knee issues) and doing cardio. I golf several times a week and will sign up for my first class in May. This surgery has made an exerciser out of me, haha!

[Sarcastic_Bard]

I was an avid weight lifter before surgery and the biggest thing for me was that I had to almost start over with the weights; I had to wait a month or so, and when I went back I discovered I had to start with half or less of the amount of weight I was lifting before. It's better now, and I've been doing swim and bike classes for the last several months with no issues. Well, the one issue where my bathing suit almost fell off in class one day because I was too cheap to buy another suit in an appropriate size and was making do with one a few sizes too big.