Question:
Is it okay to excercise at 3 months post op?

I am 3 months post op, in the last 3 weeks I have not lost a pound, I recently joineda gym. I lift weights and do toning exercises 3 times a week plus walk 2 miles after that, with additional walking on the days off. Is this hurting me instead of helping?    — [Anonymous] (posted on March 21, 2001)

March 20, 2001
Following lap RNY, my surgeon instructs his patients to start a walking program at 3 weeks post-op. Patients are asked to walk 5 days/week, starting at how much time they can tolerate and building to a miniumum of 20 minutes/day. He stated that health club/gym toning & conditioning of upper/lower body and cardiovascular workouts were fine starting at 3 weeks, but said to hold off on abdominal exercises for a couple of months. I have done all that with no problems, but I also noticed that I have plateaued more frequently and for longer periods since I started working out. That surprised me because I also thought that more exercise would automatically mean more weight loss. Both my surgeon and my trainer have emphasized that I am "exchanging" fat for lean muscle mass which actually weighs more. It may be more helpful to watch your measurements change, now that you're working out, rather than focusing on the pounds....and remember that plateaus are a VERY normal part of the WLS process, whether you're exercising or not. Keep your water/fluid and protein intake up, keep up the good work at the gym, and try to stay off your scales for awhile...I think you'll be pleasantly surprised if you can resist the impulse to weigh more than once or twice a month. :-) Good luck!
   — Diana T.