Question:
How soon after surgery can I begin figure skating?

I have dreamed of doing a lot of different things in life, one of which is figuring skating, but my weight has always held me back. How soon after surgery can I start taking figure skating lessons?    — Mary W. (posted on December 10, 2001)

December 10, 2001
As soon as you feel well enough and as soon as your surgeon gives you the go-ahead. The sooner you get out and start walking after surgery, the better you are going to feel and the faster you are going to feel like doing more strenuous excercises. I would love to learn how to rollerblade. I started out at 321 and am down to 268 and it has taken me 4 months to get here. But I know that I am in no way ready to put a pair of skates on my feet... if I fall down now, it will still be a lot of weight crashing to the ground... I think once I hit around the 200 pound mark I will consider it more seriously. However, you might be able to start fairly soon afterwards. A lot of it depends on you... Good luck!!!
   — Kellie Jo B.

December 10, 2001
Hi Mary. I was an avid figure skater as a kid. In fact, my first diet was at 12 years old, 1000 calories a day per my skating coach. (sigh). Anyway. I went figure skating at about four months post op. It was tough and I was down a lot of weight then. Have you ever skated before? That would make a big difference. I truly recommend doing some yoga or martial arts first. I'm a big yoga nut and it has really helped me with my balance, strength and in general being able to trust my body. That is important when you are on the ice. I found that skating around the rink was great exercise. For me though, it wasn't enough. I wanted to spin and jump and truly FIGURE skate. That's going to take some time. Feel free to email me, I'd love to keep in touch on this. If you read my profile you'll see that Ice skating was a specific wish and reason for me to have surgery too. I wish you the best.
   — kcanges

December 11, 2001
I would assume as soon as you've lost enough weight and feel that you are mobile enough.
   — [Anonymous]