Question:
what is the most affective excercise after surgery to help with weight loss?

I was wondering what excercise is most affective after surgery to help with weight loss? Also wondering if there are certain things you can do so that when you drop the weight you dont have any access skin- therefore eliminating the need for further surgeries later? Any advise is great. Thanks!    — kristikat82 (posted on July 8, 2006)

July 8, 2006
Today is my two year anniversary and I have to say that I have very little excess skin. However, I started out at 278 pounds and I'm 5'6. I now weigh between 116 and 119. I've walked from the minuted I came out of surgery. After my strength returned I began working out with a personal trainer three days a week. I also power walk every morning before work for at least 30 minutes and after work for another 30. It's not been easy but it is definitely worth the hard work and for the first time in years I'm disciplined and eat healthy. I don't know if this is the answer you were looking for, but check out my profile for the difference in the way I looked versus now and maybe that will give you an idea of what exercising will do to help tone your body back up. Hope this helps.
   — Belle

July 8, 2006
I have walked since surgery. I have been heavy off and on forever with my highest being 292 lbs the day of surgery and will have my year mark August 15, 2006. I have lost 122 lbs and am still losing. I work out 5-6 days a week with the elliptical machine 5-6 days and 3-4 days of working the weight machines. I have alot of excess skin but the muscle underneath is very muscular and toned so far it hasn't helped the excess skin but will help when I have plastics. I think it is an individual thing and your dieting history. I have just begun targeting specific areas thighs, upper arms, and stomach area but am also just toning under the excess skin but maybe that will change in the coming months. Worry about and take care of one thing at a time. I exercise and eat healthy and follow the rules of my surgeon with no complications and that in itself is a blessing. One day at a time...
   — 1968 Loser

July 8, 2006
My husband bought me a treadmill ($184 at Walmart) and I started working out 30 to 45 minutes a day in front of the t.v. or while listening to my favorite cd's. The time just flew by. The treadmill kept track of calories and fat calories burned, mph, distance and time. I could incline or walk flat surface. I still use it and I feel great! Also swimming and weights are the best exercises for total body toning and eliminating flabby muscles and loose skin. Water will help w/ skin elasticity.
   — CHARLYLVN

July 8, 2006
I'm only 3 months post op, I'm no expert, but I think exercise has to be something you ultimately enjoy. I have a stationary bike and an Airwalker (like a "Gazelle") and do these while the T.V. is on. I also love to swim and walk the dog (the dog loves it too). Yes, the equipment takes up space in my living room, but if I put them in the basement I'd never use them. They are easily folded up and ported out if I want to have my space back for entertaining. I tend to get bored with just one thing, so I try to do a variety. I start with a 20 minute walk with the dog, then 15 min. on the bike and 10-15 on the Airwalker (it's a nice stretch for the calves and works out the arms) and the about 15 in the pool weather permitting, otherwise I end with some light weight work on my arms. I don't feel I can do a lot of hard ab work yet because of the surgery, but everything I do sort of helps that area anyway. I don't know about the excess skin yet, I have heard others say that using really good moisturizers helps. I get the skin firming kind, but still don't know how much that will help. It also has to do with age and the elasticisity of your skin. Good luck!
   — Debra R.

July 9, 2006
Exercise does absolutely nothing for loose skin. It helps the muscles stay firm and helps the weight come off, though. Excess skin has more to do with genetics, age, and the percentage of fat loss. Some pepole have more elasticity to their skin because of the above factors. I drink water and exercise, but there is nothing I can do about my copiuos amount of loose skin, except see a plastic surgeon. You need to do aerobic exercise, like walking or swimming, to help loseeight, and weight training to build and maintain muscle
   — Novashannon

July 9, 2006
Water aerobics are awesome. I have a very bad ankle, so walking or anything else even remotely stressful to joints was not an option. Through following the rules and doing water aerobics 3-5 times per week, I lost 171 lbs. and reached my goal weight in only 11 months. Now I have the opportunity to be hired at my local health club as a water aerobics instuctor. Who'd have thought that I, who spent my entire adult life obese, would become a water aerobics instructor?? I never liked exercise, but water aerobics is challenging and, most of all, fun!!
   — buglebird