Question:
Extreme / Full contact sports, any dangers or experiences anyone can share?

I am preop and active in both yoga and karate. Yoga is low impact and I know my limitations within it... I learned my lesson quickly by dislocating my left knee with my own body weight over the summer. I adore martial arts, and have an excellent studio with great people who accept me even at my current size which is huge! My question is this, are there any martial artists out there that can let me know about the dangers of sparring or competition post-op. (Assuming a few months have past) I don't wish to give up this form of exercise, I've found my niche and hope to excell further in it after recovering my health with the aid of WLS... I guess I am asking... if I recieve a jab to the abdoment during sparring will it damage me??? Also, our pre class warm up involves at least 50 crunches... will this exercise damage me as well? My apologies for babbling, there is just so much to absorb, so many questions, and so much to learn!    — H. S. E. (posted on February 1, 2003)

February 1, 2003
A man from my support group works in a high school and a couple of kids were in a fight. He inadvertantly got in the middle of it and was hit in the stomach. He is doing fine now but nearly died from the whole incident. It took the doctors about 2 weeks to find where the leaks were and it rigidly tore his stoma from his pouch partially. I would hope that you will think again about this activity. Yes I believe in living your life as you choose but like it or not or bodies are different and extra care does need to be taken. I myself am VERY PROTECTIVE OF MY NEW TINY TUMMY! Good Luck!!
   — DRutherford

February 1, 2003
I am still pre-op but have let most everyone know, PT, nutritionist and all them, that I want to take up karate in the fall. I am hoping surgery will be in May. When I meet with my surgeon in April I do plan on asking him about it, but I haven't had one person say that I shouldn't do it yet. I would think a person would need a few months recovery time but after that it would be fine. After a full recovery I it has always been my impression the only thing we have to be careful about is the food we take in. Maybe I am wrong, but when in doubt, ask your doctor. :) Good luck!
   — TheresaC

February 1, 2003
I don't know about the karate but I have five cats, three of which insist on sitting on my lap at different times. They have THREE places their tiny little feet insist on hitting: my crotch, my Open RNY scar and my pouch. And believe me, all three places hurt dear! Needless to say, over the last 21 months I have three broken hearted lap cats. If you can do the karate, BUT NEVER do or have anyone do to you, the stomach type stretches or punches then you MAY be ok. But even at almost two years out I can NOT stand "ANY type of pressure on my stomach area no matter how light". I thought this far out all would be ok with it. But at least for me it is'nt. I'd fear you would end up in the hospital or dying should you get a good punch there.
   — Danmark

February 2, 2003
I have really noticed lately how "protective" I am of my abdominal area. I am over 2 years post op, and my 2 1/2 year old son likes to climb on me. I find myself protecting my stomach. I suppose he has accidentally hit me there a few times and I have become aware that it hurts!!! I couldn't imagine setting myself up to be punched/kicked in that area. I think God gives us a natural self-protectiveness about the areas of our bodies that are vulnerable. I guess I subconsciously know that area is fragile. Shelley
   — Shelley.

February 2, 2003
Perhaps you would be 0k if you use a binder on your abdomen. Similar to other athletes who bind their wrists, ankles, knees etc for support. I do think that sport contact is much different than brawling contact. In the latter there is the intention of inflicting as much damage to as one can to his opponent while in the former the goal is to have contact for points not for damage. But, I've never did Karate and really don't know how hard they hit... <p>Take Care, Be Well, and Be Happy!
   — John T.