When to progress after WLS

I was working out quite a bit prior to WLS, and have now recently had my surgery (Aug 25th). In the last two weeks, I've seen fat melt away from around my calves, quads and biceps and I'm seeing the muscle defintion that was hiding underneath. This is making me want to get back to working out even more.

I've been given the clear to exercise, but I guess I should've asked exactly what was meant by 'exercise'. I am back on my cardio, and slowly working my way back up to 45-60 mins of reasonable paced elliptical. But I really want to start strength training, just to help my muscle definition (especially since I can now see it).

So, long story short, when did you all progress through various stages of working out after surgery? When would be a reasonable time after surgery to seriously get back into strength training and be able to hit my Power90 set. I don't want to push the boundaries, but being healthly and looking healthy is really important to me. Plus I'm wanting to prepare myself to join the Army Reserve upon reaching goal weight, I want to just smoke through their physical testing.

Thanks.
~Sian~

The doctor initially told me 6 weeks before I could do strength training or anything that would put stress on the abdominal area.

At my 1 month checkup, he advanced it and told me to go ahead and start doing strength training (weight lifting) 

Scott

Thanks Scott. I have my one month on Oct 7th (a little more than one month really), so I'll definitely bring it up to my surgeon then. I completely understand the importance of healing up, I just can't help to be chomping at the bit to get back into it.

I had been thinking that maybe I could just focus in on areas and exercises that avoided the abdominal area for now. But it's probably the best to just wait for now.

What up G.I. Jane?

I waited a full month before I started lifting weights and doing sit up, etc. I think that actually might have been too long (?) my skin is sooo loose. I guess it's to soon to tell. Maybe if I keep up the strength training the skin will shrink with my body. If not my sister in law works for a plastic surgeon...hook it up!

Go Army!

Woman, you crack me up! There will be no head shaving, no matter how thin my hair gets!

Good to know about your sister-in-law too, heck yeah, these puppies have gotta go!! lol

Just wanted to tell you something so you will know and not been too upset when the time comes.

I was active duty army for 5 years 2001-2006. I was an outstanding soldier. I did 2 tours in Iraq. Since this time last year I have been trying to get back in, active duty, reserve, National Guard, I have tried everything. The military, especially the Army, will not let you serve once you have had any type of weight loss surgery. It is an automatic disqualifier for military service. I have talked to, and been in meetings with high-ranking people and its always a "I'm sorry, we can't let you in with your condition". I have written letters and sent in petitions. No use.

You could lie about it, but if you have a complication and have to go to the hospital, you will be kicked out for fraudulent enlistment once they realize, which is a dishonorable discharge. Or in basic when they force you to drink a whole canteen, or eat a certain amount of food you won't be able to, and when you have to explain that to the drill sergeant, well, wouldn't be pretty.

Right now the Army is way overstrengthed and they are trying hard to get rid of people. My husband is active duty Army, and they are kicking people out for being late 3 times, or being bad with money, or being 2 pounds overweight, the list goes on and on. The government cannot afford our military, so they are trying to get those numbers down. They are even trying to do away with retirement pensions, which, if that happens, we will be leaving Army life.

I am not trying to shot you down at all. I am very supportive of all WLSers, and I want you to reach your goals, but I don't want to see you get hurt in the process.

Hey, thanks for the info Jillian, appreciate you sharing it. I'm going to go back and talk to the recruiter and have him look into it for me, because I told him about WLS and he never mentioned anything about it. Just told me that the door is open once I reach my goal weight.

It will most definitely be disappointing as this is something I've wanted since I was a teenager. I'd definitely be crushed as it is my #1 WLS goal. Please keep me posted if you learn/hear of anything more, or any changes. I would most certainly appreciate it.

I've heard the same thing.

Sorry to tell ya, Jill is 100% correct, the only way to get in- is to lie....that's an awful way to start anything, and probably wouldn't last long.

Have you thought about maybe joining the police or sheriff's force? I haven't heard anything about restriction from them, and you'd still be serving your country....just a thought, keep your head up and don't let this setback keep you from achieving your healthy goals.

Damn, this truly breaks my heart.  I feel crushed, and somewhat mad with the recruiter for never telling me, even tho I made it clear about my WLS intentions.

I've only ever wanted Army, it's all it's ever been for me. I have a full-time career, and figured the reserve would be my best option. Like you both said, I could lie, but those who know me, know that it is not the person I am. I'm not ashamed of having WLS, and will not lie about it.

So in saying that, I can't lie about this either, I'm just truly crushed. It won't stop me from becoming healthy and fit, but it was the absolute number one long term goal I had. I'm gutted.

I appreciate you girls in being honest though. Better to find out now, than right when I about to sign up.