Question:
How long before I can start walking?

I had open gastric bypass on 12/10/02 and have had no complications thus far!! I was wondering how long should I wait to start walking on my treadmill. And also what length of time I should start at? Thanks!!!    — Pam J. (posted on December 28, 2002)

December 28, 2002
What time was your surgery? You should be walking immediatly- Just set the treadmill on slow and do just 5-10 min to start, then increase gradually- Walking will reduce your risk of blood clots! '
   — ~~Stacie~~

December 28, 2002
I had surgery on November 20, 2002 and for every week after I have had surgery I walk 1 block. On New Years day I will be walking 6 blocks. I walk that many blocks for one week then I add a block on my anniversary day(Wed). I feel great and the weight is dropping off faster and the amount of excess skin should be a lot less. I am down 44 lbs in 5 weeks! Keep up the great work! You won't regret it!
   — Kim S.

December 28, 2002
My doctor said I will be up walking 2 hours after surgery. He said we will hate him but he doesn't care. From that point on we are expected to keep progressing our walking each day. As long as you don't go wild there should be no problem walking on your treadmil. The best part is you are still at home and if you go too far you can stop and sit down versus if you are outside and go too far you still have to get back. I would expect to be walking everyday and since I hope to have it done in the middle of a WI winter I will be using my treadmil. Like the other poster said, walking can do a lot to minimize the amount of excess skin you end up with. I previously lost about 200 lbs and do not remember having lots of loose skin on my stomach and legs. Now arms, that's another thing. Happy Walking!!
   — zoedogcbr

December 29, 2002
Pam, you should be walking already. Perhaps you are, outside, and just asking when to start with a treadmill? I can't believe your surgeon would not have told you to start walking immediately after surgery. Anyways, set the treadmill low and walk until your tired. Then try to increase the speed and time when your ready. It is a good thing to push yourself a little. Early after surgery, I was lucky to do 10 minutes. It increases quickly, and in fact, helps you to recover and gain strength.
   — Cindy R.

December 29, 2002
I began walking immediately. By two weeks I could go a mile all at once. I took the whole blood clot thing really seriously I walked about 5 times a day, now it was only about 3-4 houses at first and then I just gradually kept increasing it. Eventually I could go around the block once so I did that twice a day, then I did two times around twice a day and then I could do all 4 at once. Just pace yourself and listen to your body. Take water because as you have probably experienced you have the thirst from hec itself. Good luck Peggy Adams -70#'s open rny 9/20
   — Peggy A.