Walking after Post-op

Joanne0615
on 2/14/11 1:14 am

I've read a ton of post regarding post op; everyone comments to walk, sip and rest!!! How many miles should I be walking right after surgery? I can do 2.5 miles now but I'm thinking right after surgery that maybe too much. Any advice would be appreciated.

Joanne

ccbelle14
on 2/14/11 1:19 am - Minneapolis, MN

Walk as much as you can. It's not about length in the first few weeks, it's about moving your body (legs especially) so that you don't develop blood clots. The day of my surgery, I made it down my hospital wing and back, taking a lot of rests. The next day, I did that same walk 3-4 times, the next about 10 times. Every day I was able to go further and further.

Once you're a week or two out from surgery and are feeling up to exercise, do what you can. I took it really easy my first few weeks but was feeling very energetic yesterday (our 40 degree "balmy" weather helped!) and did 3 miles.

Highest Weight (2008): 360 Surgery Consult Weight: 340 Day of Surgery: 318
Height: 5'10"

cattywompos
on 2/14/11 1:22 am

VSG on 09/30/10

It is more about getting up and moving so that you don't get blood clots. I would walk back and forth in my house for about 5 minutes every hour or so when I wasn't napping. Once I was feeling well enough to do a bit of house work, then I stopped my pacing :) I started walking for exercise about about 3 weeks post op. Have been walking every day on my lunch hour since.

HW-304 / SW- 286 / CW-198.25 / GW-170

Lalamonkey
on 2/14/11 1:24 am - GA

VSG on 02/11/11

Hi Joanne,

No one gave me any length recommendations - I think it will be very individualized based on ease of recovery and your fitness level pre op. At two days out I walked a slow -strolling half mile with hubby at my arm. I walk around the house constantly. Today I ventured out to Target, Ross, Belks and walked quite a bit - nice to have a cart. Later today after a nap I will likely head out to the park and walk again - just until I first begin to feel shakey, then I am done. No desire to over do it or hurt myself.

Rather than setting a distance goal - until your post op Dr. Check in - I would just set a daily walk goal and do what feels good. Remember this was major surgery.

Hugs and good luck,

Lala

Alex74
on 2/14/11 2:16 am - Chandler, AZ

VSG on 06/12/10

I was walking around 2 miles, twice a day in the first week after surgery. It was until my incisions started to hurt/burn. I'd only circle the block to make sure I was close to home when the pain/burning started. It was June in Arizona so the heat was already way up. I remember I was pretty weak at the time. Needed lots of ice water.

Recover was fast and I was up to around 5 miles a day over the 2 months following surgery. Switched to cycling/jogging and weights when walking would only get my heart rate up to 100 bpm.

Any walking is a plus and so long as it's relatively comfortable, the more the better. Just stay hydrated and get some quality shoes. Increase the pace when possible. Your body will tell you if you're over doing it. Be safe!

I did something very silly last summer. One month post op I decided to walk to the store in 115 ºF and blazing sun. It was only a 3 mile walk and I had plenty of ice water and sun protecting clothing, but boy, I felt I was about to pass out in the last mile. Felt like I was floating along from the dizziness. Took me hours to recover. Never again. "Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun" - so true.

cindiann
on 2/14/11 2:41 am

VSG on 02/10/11

I don't think we are supposed to walk a mile every day, I just think they don't want us to lay around all day in one position. We need the circulation and to get stronger each day and we need rest as well. I haven't left my house. I am on day 4 and I can't imagine going to Kohl's or anywhere for that matter. Maybe it's my age (53). Anyway, I feel good, just a little sore and my instructions also included not to lift anything over 10 pounds and be careful not to strain as not to get an incisional hernia. So, take it easy girlfriends. Simple walking around the house and doing a few easy chores will take care of it, I am sure.

Cindiann

Silverspoke
on 2/14/11 5:03 am - southaven, MS

VSG on 05/24/10

I walked about 1/2 mile the day after surgery and for the next 3 days.
I then moved it up to 1 mile, twice a day for a few days.
At 1 week out I was walking 2 miles, twice a day.
3 weeks out I was walking 3 miles,twice a day.

Due whats cormfortable for you.
Keep moving but dont overexcert yourself and get plenly of fluids.

I believe walking was a huge help in me losing weight.

Best of luck to you.
Andy

PS. If you have a smartphone get a GPS app that will track your distances.
I have "Allsport GPS" on my Iphone and love it.
I have the free edition and it works great.

DrHollywood
on 2/14/11 6:29 pm - Harbor City, CA

VSG on 02/01/11

i am 14 days out and I walk a mile everyday since 5 days out.
Do what is comfortable with you. Someone said it here... the idea is to
keep moving. its not how much... do often.

good luck and "Keep Walking"

                      ✿ L♦O♦V♦E ✿ & ✿ P♦E♦A♦C♦E ✿ღ ✿ & F♦R♦I♦E♦N♦D♦S ✿ ღ
                         "Keeping The Faith!"   "Slim by Summer!"
                                    HW: 250 - SW: 241 - CW: 154.7- GW: 140


1 month: 22 pounds (216) 2 months: 12.2 pounds (203.8) 3 months: 10.6  (193.2)
4 months: 9.7 lbs (183.5) 5 Months: 6 pounds (177.5 ) 6 Months: 12 lbs ( 165.5)
7 Months 7.1 lbs (158.4) 8 Months +1.6 pounds(159.8) 9 Months 2.7 pounds (157.1)
10 Months 8.1 lbs (149) 11 months +2 pounds ( 151) 1 YEAR!!! 2.6 pounds (148.4)


                                  Hit "One-derland April 9th, 2011   (199.7)

                                  "Half-Way Goal" April 25th, 2011 (194.8)

                                  "Happyland 80`s" May 14, 2011 (189.6)

                                   "Groovyland 70`s" June 20th 2011 (179.9)

                                    " HippyDippyland 60's" July 16th (169.8)

                                       " CQQL-land 50`s" August 25th ( 159.8)

                        "Normal BMI" 24.8 October 21st, 2011 (154.5) I am 5`6

                                 "AWESOME-land 40's" Dec 1st 2011 (149)

                              "Century Club 100 Pounds" Dec 1st 2011 (149)

                                ' ONE YEAR SURGIVERSARY!!!"

Two Year Surgiversary!!!"

Miss_C
on 2/14/11 4:53 am, edited 2/14/11 4:54 am - Southern, CA

VSG on 01/31/11

oh gosh I dont think your doc will want you to do that much, you will just have had surgery and for the most part will be on stronger pain meds. Really the whole point is to keep getting up and moving around as much as you can. When you are in the hospital you might have to start off with just going two rooms down and increase it a little more each time. I went half way down the hall the first time and by day three went all the way around the whole floor and probably about 12 times too.
Once home just keep getting up and take a stroll around the house as much as possible. Probably not a good idea to leave the house at all if you are still on pain meds. I would wait to take a stroll outside until youre off meds and a bit stronger. My Doctor wanted to see me for my 2 weeks post op appointment before he would clear me for any other exercise besides walking. I wasnt even allowed sex until I saw him for my 2 week......fiddlesticks! lol But just think, after you get this done and lose the weight you're gonna be jogging or maybe even sprinting that 2.5 miles that you used to just walk *wink* Good luck to you may the surgery and recovery be a piece of cake!

*Hugs* Missy

January Sleevers: http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/Jansleeves/discussion/

    Consult Weight 254             SW 212         CW 154           GW 120

Ask Not What Your Sleeve Can Do For You But What You Can Do For Your Sleeve!

Walking after Post-op

Our Mission

Follow us

Links

Select Photos

Walking after Post-op