working out after surgery

 I'm due to have the surgery the day after christmas, I'm scared but very excited at the same time. I was wondering how long do I have to wait to get back to the gym?  I know after I had my son I was driving taking my sis in law to the doctor, and feeling great the next day. 

Walk ASAP, No abs for 4 weeks, no strenuous exercise for 6 weeks. I'm 3 weeks out and I went back to Zumba today, it was rough but worth it, I've been mostly walk/jogging on the treadmill and swimming.

 My doc said cardio only for 6 weeks.  But cardio can be a lot of things -- just no weights or sports until that 6 weeksof healing is up.   I didn't feel BAD after surgery but I didn't have a lot of energy.  I could drive and got places.   I used an electric cart at Target 3 days after surgery so I could enjoy the shopping with my sister.   I'm one month out and finally have my normal stamina back to do a full days work and not have to go take a nap.   I went back to work at 2 weeks and I was fine -- I played up my "fatigue" so they'd let me work from home some 1/2 days but really I was just milking the surgery and pampering myself.

 Thank you everyone, I also have a 4 year old running around i need to be up and running around after him too, and my husband works nights. Will I have fun?

I went back to the gym 9 days after surgery. Since then, I have been going 5 days a week but have been walking on the treadmill only. Just went to my first follow-up and the doc said to take it easy and when I go back in 3 weeks, he will check me out to see if I can start lifting and doing more intense cardio.

The first 4 or 5 days I was still sore when bending or lifting anything, so be careful with your son! Listen to your body if you think it's too much, too fast!

I didn't start going to the gym until about a month and a half after surgery, and just did the treadmill at first and added the weights soon after.  I wouldn't say I had a bad recovery at all, but I just didn't feel "good" for a long time.  I think it's different for everyone though.  Some people bounce back pretty quick, some people it takes longer.  Just remember, even if you are one of the ones to feel good quickly, you still need to let your body recover before pushing it.  

You will walk as soon as an hour after surgery.  After that you'll be cleared for more strenuous exercise by your surgeon -- probably at about 4 weeks.  Working out ahead of surgery is a very good. It makes recovery easier, boosts your immune system.  Just make sure to get up and walk as soon as you can post-op.