Question:
How much exerciuse can I expect to do right after surgery?

I'm a pre-op and I recently joined a gym near my work and home, and I am trying to go four times a week. I do about 35-45 minutes on the treadmill, about 10 on the bike and about 15 minutes of swimming laps (then I treat myself to the hot tub!). At home I am working with five pound weights on my arms. I'm feeling really good about this and feel like the exercise is not only good for my body, but has also lifted my spirits and raised my overall energy level. What type of exercise can I expect to be comfortable with after surgery and how long will it be until I can get back into this sort of routine? I'll be having a Lap RNY.    — PaulaM (posted on September 19, 2001)

September 19, 2001
I am 5 weeks post op and I just joined the gym on Monday. I start off with 20 minutes on the treadmill (3.5 mph) and then spend about 30-40 minutes on the weight machines... I plan on doing this 3 days/week for now. Later I would like to build up to 5 days/week. So far so good. The only things I'm not doing yet are the crunch machines.. I want to wait another couple of weeks just in case - don't wanna hurt my tummy.
   — Jen S.

September 19, 2001
I was used to fairly regular work outs before my surgery, both in the gym and at home. I had a Lap RNY, and although I felt like going to the gym after 4 weeks, the only thing my surgeon would authorize was walking. He wouldn't give me clearance to go back to the gym or to work with weights or machines until 6 full weeks post-op. It drove me crazy waiting that long, but I was determined not to mess up. As it was, I still got a hernia. I probably should have waited 8 weeks, but, oh well.
   — Maria H.

September 19, 2001
Following my lap RNY, my surgeon discouraged any exercise program at all until 3 weeks. Then he asked his patients to walk whatever distances they could "tolerate", five times a week until the sixth week post-op. At that time, patients are released to any exercise program of their choice and are encouraged to participate in some type of exercise or workout for a minimum of three times a week.
   — Diana T.

September 20, 2001
You must not lift over 10 pounds for 6 to 8 weeks! You can begin walking daily right away and slowly work up. Listen to your body early on and don't try to be super woman. When you return to the pool, just walk in the water until after the 8 week time period. Don't do any vacuuming or furniture moving during this time period either - hernias are the pits! I suspect that after 3 or 4 months, you may be back into your old routine.
   — Cindy H.

September 20, 2001
It was nine weeks before I felt like walking. I'm over 4 months post op and still have hardly any energy. I sure don't understand how other post ops can do all the walking they do. (And I LOVE to walk). But I hardly do, still have no energy. I'm wondering if I ever will. :(
   — Danmark

September 20, 2001
Every doctor is different in their recommendations. I have exercised for years and was determined to start back as quickly as possible. I had lap RNY on a Tuesday and was at the Y walking on the treadmill on Sunday. I've continued to walk on the treadmill about three times a week and when I was 2 and 1/2 weeks post-op, my surgeon told me I could go back to water aerobics and strength training with weight machines. I started doing the weights again this week and am feeling great! I was three weeks post-op on Tuesday and am down 24 pounds. I really think that exercising and eating solid foods (my doc doesn't require the liquid or pureed diet either) has given me more stamina and helped me avoid the hibernation syndrome. All that being said; however, you still want to discuss all of this with YOUR doctor!
   — Denise C.