How long to wait before starting excercise?

I've always exercised and enjoyed it, but at 450+ lbs my options have become somewhat limited, both physically and mentally.

I have an old gym Tunturi recumbent resistance exercise bike that I usually use 30-60 minutes at day just to 'keep loose' and help my knees.

But after the surgery I'd really like to return to a gym where I can get access to an elliptical machine and some circuit weight machines. Nothing super strenuous and no major heavy lifting, just enough to work my body, stretch my muscles and feel good afterwards, which is what I always did anyway.

For those of you who went back to working out how long did you wait?

Steve

Steve, Best wishes in your upcoming surgery! For what it's worth, I was up and walking the afternoon after my surgery and I've not stopped walking since.  I pushed myself to do a little more each day...it provides benefits physically and mentally.  If possible I would suggest you walk outside - fresh air is wonder drug!  Walking was my exercise for the first 5-6 weeks.  Once I hit that point I began resistance training and kept on walking...still doing it and have no plans to stop. Your body will tell you when you're ready to go...much of it depends on your ability to heal, what surgery type you have (open vs. lap), and your physical limitations.  Whatever you do though, don't ru****  Walk, walk, walk!  The resistance training can wait awhile.  Be patient. CF

Steve, I too started out with walking and only walking for the first six weeks after surgery.  Then it was back in the fitness center using the elliptical, treadmill and weights.  Best of luck with the surgery and keep looking forward to the journey. Bill

I began light cardio 2 week out. I began doing more and more exercise including weight lifting 6-7 weeks out. I did not want to bust anything inside.

Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, and then walk some more. The work you do pre-op pays off in spades in recovery from surgery. Best wishes for a complication free surgery! JP

Same here as most the other guys. Walked a lot for 6 weeks. Doc gave me the all clear to hit the gym at 6 weeks. Just don't go crazy with the weights for a while.

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Even the toughest criminals become remarkably docile 
 once separated from society by six feet of soil. 

Thanks for the responses guys.  Weather is going to suck here but I'll give plain old walking a chance for the first couple months. Steve

You start the exercise the day after surgery FWIW. Walking as much as you can. By the end of the same calendar week, I was going 2 miles in the park across the road from where I lived. I tried a short bike ride the next week, but had no stamina. It took me a month to get my stamina back to preop levels, where I could swim a lot or ride a bike. Walking was never a problem, although I was slow the first week. Apart from the activity restrictions you get coming out of surgery, such as not lifting anything heavier than 15 lbs for 2 weeks (YMWV), you can exercise as much as you want as soon as you are able to handle it. Be realistic, however. You're gonna feel like crap for a while, but it will get better.