Stupid Diets and post op walking question

My surgery is 9 days away, I am currently at work on an offshore oil platform and everyone here knows about my surgery and for the most part are behind me on it. Some of the guys have talked me into a stupid 3 day diet. Supposedly the foods react with each other and boost your metabolism. I just woke up STARVING .. Now I just hope the banana I ate (which I was not supposed to) will hold me until 530 AM. I have a question for the Post Ops. I know why they want you to get up and walk around every hour for the first week, I would like to know how long you need to walk around for or how far. I currently walk 2 miles a day (with no weight loss in 3 years) do I need to get up and walk around the block every hour or just make a lap around the house. Seems like a stupid question but I have never been accused of rocket sience.

A lap around the house should be just fine.

Walking around the house is fine. Anything that will get you up and moving is a good thing. Increase the time you are up and walking, or doing housework, as your body allows. Personally, I was afraid of getting a blood clot during those first few weeks. So, I walked, did light chores, and continued the hospital breathing exercises.

Good luck,

Hattie

 Hi there

The physiotherapist at the hospital gave me the following guidelines
Week 1: 2 x  5 minute walks during the day
Week 2: 2 x 10 minute walks
Week 3: 2 x 15 minute walks
Week 4: 2 x 20 minute walks
Week 5: 2 x 25 minute walks
Week 6: 2 x 30 minute walks
Week 7: Start more intenstive exercise program.

However, she also said, if you feel you can do more then by all means do it. It speeds up the recovery & helps to get rid of the gas pains.

Best of luck with your surgery :)

 I did laps around the outside of my house.  I'm sure my neighbors thought I had gone a bit bonkers.  

The program I was to follow was to walk 3x a day and increase the amount of time walking by 2 minutes every 2 days.  So it looked like this:

Day 1: 10, 10, 10
Day 2: 10, 10, 10
Day 3: 12, 12, 12
Day 4: 12, 12, 12
Day 5: 14, 14, 14
etc...
When I reached 30 minute walks, I only had to do them 2x a day instead of 3.  When walks reached 60 minutes, I only had to walk once a day.  They were very adament, however, that the walks be on level ground. I believe this program took me to around 6 weeks out, which is when I was allowed to do more activity (and had hills, etc). 

I walked way more than these ladies - probably because I was pretty fit and a lightweight when I had my surgery.  

Was walking at least a mile twice a day the first week (from day 3 after surgery) and joined a walking group the second week - 3 miles twice a week, with the same mile twice a day the rest.   I did have walking companions (2 neighbours and my son, who was 11 months in a stroller) which made it much more interesting

If you are already a walker, and you have no complications, you will probably be able to do more than most - it really depends how you cope with the discomfort after the surgery.   If you are on narcotics once you are home, you will probably not be able to do so much.

As far as the diet goes I would start getting used to a high protein, low carb (white food)and veg diet. Try some protein shakes or bars. They will fill you and provide longer term energy than just fruit. After your surgery you'll probably be on a liquid diet or pureed foods for a few weeks.  Bread, pasta, rice and potatoes provide quick energy, because the body uses it for fuel first before burning the fat cells stored in your body already. You'll need protein to replentish any muscle mass you lose when the weight starts coming off, and helps your body to heal.

As far as the walking goes, if your doing 2 miles a day at work, the weight is gonna start flying off and pretty soon you will be walking a little faster and have more energy. Do what you feel comfortable with right after surgery.

You are close to being in the same boat as me as far as start and finish weight.  On my surgery date I weighed 265.  I am 177 this morning and I'm +7 1/2 months out. I can run a couple of miles on the treadmill now without dropping dead afterwards. Clothes went from 3x to large.

Tim  T.