exercise prior to 6 weeks????

I'm just a hair over 4 weeks out of surgery and am down 33 pounds....THANK GOD.  I walk at least an mile when I'm able to get out and do so.  My question is this.  My Doc told me that I'll be released at 6 weeks to go and do just about anything exercise-wise.  However, even when I try and bump my walking up by a quarter of a mile, I get a pain in my left side like I did right after surgery.  Has anyone else had this and is there something magical that's gonna happen at the 6 week mark?  I really want to get to the point where I can do some strength training and would like to hear from any of you who have gone that path.  Thanks in advance! 

Havent been down that path, Im at 4 1/2 weeks post op, but your weight loss is awesome, at one month I only lost 18 lbs. and I walk a little over two miles a day, well it rained so there were a few I didnt walk. 

 Thank you.  I haven't been able to walk as much as I would like to because I've had 2, count 'em, 2 bouts with a stomach virus, thanks to my germy kids!   Those, in and of themselves, really took it out of me....pardon the pun.  I'd love to hit 40 pounds by my next check up, which is this Thursday, but I may be a little to optimistic on this!  

Hi Melin,  I had a similar pain. I thought something was wrong. My doctor said it was normal because of some stitches in the area. I didn't believe him, but he was right. It went away in a few more weeks. I can't say it's the same thing you have but thought I would share my story w/ you.  Have a great day!  Mag  

 I can't wait for it to be gone.  I can tell certain areas are "waking up" by twangs of pains I have occasionally.  I went through 2 bouts of a stomach virus within about 5 days....talk about fun.  The last bout had me wretching, which woke the beast on my left side.  The pain is similar to that if I do too much.  Thanks so much for sharing!  I really appreciate it!

I wonder why some people lose so much faster.  Do you think the heavier a person is the faster they lose?  I started at 236 March 1

 I kinda always thought that was the case, but I now think that it also has something to do with the diet the surgeon has me on.  I was on liquids for the first 2 weeks, and creamed soups, runny mashed potatoes and such until my 6 week check up.  I've never, in my life, been more excited at the thought of chewing a cracker than I am right now!  After reading several profiles, I'm surprised at how many people are eating within less than 4 weeks, if not sometimes days.  

I am four weeks out and kind of in the same position. Anytime I 'overdo' it I get that left side pain, similar to a week out from surgery. My doc says its the stitches, the biggest incision, the place they insert the stapler and move things around the most; and it takes the longest to heal.

I've been doing a mile on the treadmill and arm weights at the gym. I am just careful (per his instructions)not to do anything that causes strain at the midsection.

I am waiting patiently until April 15th to see if things are better. Prior to surgery I was training in karate and I have to get back to running, pushups, situps, stretching, etc. No fighting/throwing/sparring until 12 weeks out but I totally get that. I don't want to do anything to cause a relapse but I also want to GET MOVING!!!

Nothing magical will happen....darn it!  As you continue to lose weight and get fit...the pain should subside.  Can you just walk 2 or 3 times a day....it really makes little difference if you do it all at once or break it up so if you walk a 1/4 mile 3 times/day...you might find it progreses well for you.

Weight lifting  can be as simple as taking some soup cans and lifting them in various directions.  Once you are comfortable with that...pick up some light weight hand weights and a weight lifting DVD.

I slowly worked myself up to spin class and body pump class (choreographed weightlifting)....it is a blast!  

 Unfortunately, my schedule only permits me to get away once a day.  I've considered doing some arm exercises with light weights.  If only I could get this stitch in my side to stay away!  Those classes sound fun, btw!