Exercise Question

I'm about 1 1/2 weeks out and have struggled with severe abdominal pain early on. A CT scan ruled out any problems and the doc said it was internal bruising and possibly air trapped beneath the muscle. I've been feeling better everyday, and on Monday I plan to return to the gym to start walking.

How soon did you begin a workout routine after surgery, and what kind of things did you do? 

Thank you!

NO LIFTING MORE THAN 10 LB FOR 6 WEEKS

OTHER THAN THAT WALKING IS GREAT , NO SWIMMING TILL THE INSISTIONS HEAL (3 WEEKS)

6 weeks.

I was approved and started walking on treadmill at 2 weeks, no weight lifting for 6 weeks.

Thanks, everyone. I'm just excited to get active!

Contrary to the large-font, all-caps response that you've already gotten, different surgeons have different recommendations regarding activity post op. My surgeon said no more than 20 pounds for the first 6 weeks and no swimming for 10 days (after the steri-strips fall off). I made sure to clarify about the 20 pound rule because, at the time, my best friend's 1-year-old weighed 19 pounds. When I asked if I could pick her up, he said yes, but that I needed to be careful and listen to my body.

When in doubt, ask your surgeon.

walking immediately, cleared for gym after 2 weeks no lifting, exercise in the pool at 4 weeks and pretty much anything I wanted to do after that point.

You can walk immediately following surgery and should do as much as you can handle.  It helps prevent post surgical DVTs (basicaly a clot).

Beyond that you should do nothing for at least 4-6 weeks.  You can phase some stuff in at 4 weeks, but not everything.  After about 6 weeks you should be good to go for about whatever you can physcially handle.

Take it slow, you've got time to do it right.

My surgeon said do whatever you feel you can as soon as you feel you can. No swimming til the incisions heal, but everything else was fine. He said no restrictions on anything else. 

My doc told me walking only for 6 weeks.  Which is sad times, since I prefer the elliptical to walking!  But I'll stick to his recommendation.  Maybe I'll take my iPad to the gym and watch movies while I walk.