When Did You Begin to Exercise?

Hey Kimberly, Did you have the surgery lap or open? If open, that may be the reason for a longer wait before exercise? I started taking 1 mile walks about a week out. I was cleared for all activity by my surgeon on my follow-up appointment last week. I was then 3 weeks out (went back to walking 2 and a half miles, which is what I was doing preop). On Monday, I began circuit training at the gym (no weights over about 30lbs) and I continue to walk about 2 and a half miles ( I have been doing this everyday). However, I start work next week. I will be 5 weeks out too. I hope I can keep up the exercise! Tweedy

I started walking when I got home. I try and walk 20 minutes each day - I have a torn groin muscle that is not healing well or I would walk longer. My doc will not let me swim or lift weights at the YMCA yet, both things I was doing before my surgery. Guess it will be a while on the weights!!! Jules

Hi Kimberely, I try to walk 4-5 times a week. When it is nice outside I walk approximtely 2-3 miles in about 30-45 minutes. My doctor just released me to other cardio exercises. I do about 25 minutes on the elliptical and 10-20 on the bike and 20 on the treadmill at 3.2 mph/ 3-4% incline. It takes a lot to get my heart rate up! How is your vitamin intake?

I had open surgery July 26th. The told me to walk for 30 minutes a day when I got home. For the first few days I shuffled laps around the top story of my house. Now I go for a 30 minute walk each evening around my neighbourhood with my husband and 22 month old son. Even when I was at my sorest, I always felt better after I got up and walked around. They had us walking laps around the nurses station 4 hours after surgery, and while it was hard to do it at the time because of pain etc, I felt so much better afterwards. I ended up being eager to move around every few hours in hospital. Sharni

Hi Kimberly. I had open RNY on July 6th and my doc won't let me go to the gym for 12 weeks!! He says it is to cut down the risk for a hernia. While it is driving me nuts, I don't wanna risk the chance of a hernia and have to be reopened. UIt is also hard not being able to pick up my 3 year old. But I walk around my neighborhood and I am going a little farther each day. But they better watch out when they give me that ok. Tina

Thank you all for your replies! You have been a tremndous help and a positive influence!

Unless you have some physical limitations...walking is what the doctors all recommend after surgery. It is not a wieght lifting activity so no damage can be done to your incisions and it helps your heart and lungs and tissues...its just healthy. I would ask your doctor about the fatigue....maybe you are low on iron or vitamin B12. I only had a one week weight lifting restriction after my surgery 20 days ago...i couldn't lift 25 pounds or more for one week. Then no restrictions at all. They used to have a "nothing over 10 pounds for 6 weeks" but that has changed under my doctor as of July 1st, 2004. I feel great...tired at times...but I mow grass and walk and do laundry,housework etc. Hope ya feel better soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!