Recent post-op needs exercise advice...

According to my doctor, I'm not supposed to do anything besides walk for 6 weeks. Also, he said I shouldn't "power walk" or anything too vigorous until 4 weeks out. My question is this: what do you think my daily walking goals should be between now (1.5 weeks out) and the 6 week mark? I'm planning to work with a trainer at the 6 week mark to start weight training but between now and then...I'm not so sure what to do. Thoughts from anyone who's been there?

I began walking 2 days after I got home from my surgery. I began by walking 2 houses up the street, a distance of 200 feet and then back home. I did this for 2-3 days, a couple of times per day. Then I gradually increased the distance to 4 houses, 8 houses, the end of the street, half way around my block and then completely around the block. It's 1 1/4 miles around this block.  I rarely do this walking routine anymore, but I like to ride my Puma bike.  I ride it 1-2 times a day, doing 3-4 miles each time.  It depends how you feel at 6 weeks--you might not feel ready at that time.  You just need to do some consistant daily exercise.  Swimming, water aerobics, walking, biking, etc.  DAVE

the "every patient" pack I got reccomends working up to a mile SLOWLY the first week or so, then extending out from there.  It also states that even in cooler weather make sure you hydrate as much as possible.

I will be AVOIDING the treadmill and walk on my own steam, this sounds weird I know but the treadmill has forward motion of its own and I think that is cheating. But if the treadmill is what works for you then by all means.

Make sure to keep up with strength training (again slowly at first) NOTHING over 10 pounds. YOu could use resistance bands or even a smaller medicine ball. Strength training helps with toning. While it will not stop potentially sagging skin it will help tone those muscles. Anyone who tells you that sagging skin will be fully "cured" by any kind of muscle mass buildup is telling you a fib.

Just work up slowly and take your time. Remember to hydrate As much as you can. You will do fine.

I have not had my surgery yet but I have a friend who is a personal trainer AND she had RNY a few years ago so she knows her stuff.. She made a plan for me which I will be implimenting after my surgery.

 I walked at least 30 mins a day the first couple of weeks.  It was all I could do before I tired out.  I walked 10 mins in the morning, afternoon, and evening.  The last 2 weeks, I have been doing at least an hour a day.  I do use the treadmill on days like the last few due to the heat warnings we had.  My doc just said on slow and no incline.  I was cleared yesterday (4 week post op) to go to the gym, but not to over exert myself.  I still cannot do weights and lifting until at least 6 weeks.  Same with my water aerobics classes.  I just had my gastric tube removed yesterday as well and need 2 weeks for it to completely heal before I return to a pool.  My doctor said listen to your body, at the first sign of any pain or really getting tired, then stop and try again later after some rest. 

I listened to my body when I was a newly post op.  I walked very slowly at first.  My surgeon recommended a minimum of 30 minutes per day for life.  I started off slowly...5 minutes at a time and slowly increased it from there making sure I let my body heal and did not overdo it.

At 1.5 weeks out, you are still very much in the healing mode so DO listen to your body. Several short walks per day will be good at this point - I created various walks around my cul de sac, then to the corner, then around the neighborhood, which was about a mile.

By 3 weeks I was cleared for water exercise (including water walking and gentle water aerobics) which was a non-weight bearing exercise of up to one hour.

At 6 weeks I started some resistance training and more iintense water aerobics. Truthfully I liked the water aerobics best at that stage because I was not yet strong enough to make it through an hour of studio aerobics and when I eventually did work with a trainer, I was in much better shape to learn and progress.

But bottom line - by 6 weeks you should be ok for any type of exercise you wish. Till then, build up the walking gradually as you are comfortable. No hard and fast rules - we are each very different in our capacities to handle the exercise.

Every person is different, just like every doctor is different as for their orders.

I had RNY. Presurgery, I was 320 lbs.  At my two week appointment my Doctor told me I could start exercising .. as much as I could stand, keeping in mind that I had just had major surgery, so not to overdo it.

When I walk 5Ks (at this point, even 140 pounds lighter, I know that I don't like running ... but I like walking) my mantra is "I can do anything for 15 minutes" ... and I set out to do it.  :)  Sometimes I make it more than 15 minutes before I have to remind myself  .... sometimes it's 5 minutes .... sometimes it's a constant chant. :)   And, sure enough .... I can do it for 15 minutes. :)


So ... while not directly answering your question ... my answer is.  Push youself, just not too far. Set your own goals. You know your body.  If you think you can make it to the lamp-post, go 20 feet beyond it.  Just remember that you'll have to walk home. :)  

Thanks for all the good advice! I'm going to try to listen to my body and see what I can do. What would I do without this forum? Really...it helps so very, very much! :)

We had surgery the same day! Before surgery I was walking 3.75 miles 6 days a week. I took a few days off after surgery, then did about half that. I walk at the mall with a friend, so we count laps (each one is .75 mile). So first was 2 laps with a break between, next day was 3 laps, and now I am up to 4 laps, with a break after lap 3. I walked slowly the first couple of times, but I think I am about up to my pre surgery speed now. My goal is to be back up to 5 laps by this time next week. At that point, the plan is to add hand weights.