I was banded OCT 11th and I am looking to get back to the gym soon. I am concenred about my current calorie intake or lack of and my Water instake during my workout. How long should I wait until I get back to the gym. I am now starting to walk a bit outside but a bit painful yet. I don't know how I am going to plan my calories, carbs and Protein after the 4th week. I am thinking when I get done at the gym I might pass out from missing things in my diet! Anyone tell me what they did and what they are doing? I can't wait to start running after I get down about 50 lbs.

Thanks so much!!

Hello

Well its good to hear that you are going back to the gym and you are concerned about current calorie intake . Its obvious that you feel changes in it while you was in gym and now not doing gym. Its my suggestion that you keep doing gym.

Thanx

You should not be doing ANY exercise other than walking without your doctor's consent. Generally, the first six weeks after surgery are about giving your body time to heal from surgery. If you get too active too soon, you run the risk of tearing stitches, flipping your port, and even causing the band to slip. You've been banded less than a week - and I think your motivation is excellent, but you're walking a very fine line. There is plenty of time for exercise after you're healed. Definitely talk to your surgeon before you screw something up.

Good luck!

Dave

You should not be doing ANY exercise other than walking without your doctor's consent. Generally, the first six weeks after surgery are about giving your body time to heal from surgery. If you get too active too soon, you run the risk of tearing stitches, flipping your port, and even causing the band to slip. You've been banded less than a week - and I think your motivation is excellent, but you're walking a very fine line. There is plenty of time for exercise after you're healed. Definitely talk to your surgeon before you screw something up.

Good luck!

Dave

I was a gym rat before (could never lose weight, but was strong as heck), and I did go a little buggy for the first month or so after the surgery. I'd agree that it's best to wait for the doc to give his blessing and for everything to heal. Walk in the meantime for cardio. Let your body heal and stretch. It's a blessing in disguise.

You need to learn how to eat with the band first, before you learn how to provide your body with the necessary pre- post- and intra workout nutrition you are used to. So, get ready to back off the workout enough to handle a new eating paradigm.

I am nearly a year out of being cleared from surgery, and I am knee deep in lifting weights, power lifting, and strongman. So, I understand that nutrition is a big deal. The short answer is that your old nutrition and pre-, during, and post- eating routines are GONE. It's not easy to work with the bariatric dietician to stay on program for weight loss, and still consume enough to allow a very active body to recover and build muscle. I've had a few arguments with them about it. I've hit a plateau in my weight loss, which coincided with what is my peak training time of the year in the gym. Fat was going away, but muscle was being built. Muscle building demands Protein and calories. Fat loss demands a restriction. I am still trying to figure out the balance (if there is one.) Now that I am off peak training, the weight loss has started again...

The Water sipping process, over a course of a day, should leave you plenty hydrated for the gym. It will get easier to get more water down as you heal. So, just keep that bottle with you even in the workout.

Your body will adjust and tell you what it can and can't do once you get to the gym. The goal is to prepare yourself to be willing to listen, and find where you can push to begin re developing. It will come.

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While a 25 year old will heal different from a 50 year old I feel we all know our bodies and what they can and can't do. I was in the gym doing treadmill and elliptical workouts within a week. I tried at 3 weeks to take a step class felt fine but then we moved to abs, i didnt feel comfortable with that and left. Okay so I waited 2 more weeks and was fine. Stick with cardio and work up your intensity and time. Your not even a month out but certainly walking either in a gym, at home, or around your neighborhood reeps benefits and the point of all this is to be healthy. If you feel "gym ready" go for it! Be safe and have fun

I'm 59 years old. I did nothing for 1 week following surgery. (almost nothing, I was out running errands after 3 days)

Then I had my 1 week post op appointment and the Dr. turned me loose. Just did not want me to over do it on the weights!

While a 25 year old will heal different from a 50 year old I feel we all know our bodies and what they can and can't do. I was in the gym doing treadmill and elliptical workouts within a week. I tried at 3 weeks to take a step class felt fine but then we moved to abs, i didnt feel comfortable with that and left. Okay so I waited 2 more weeks and was fine. Stick with cardio and work up your intensity and time. Your not even a month out but certainly walking either in a gym, at home, or around your neighborhood reeps benefits and the point of all this is to be healthy. If you feel "gym ready" go for it! Be safe and have fun

Hello Ctarantino

I totally agree with your explanations about health. No need to go to gym just do walk regularly and take health concious diet.

Thanx

I do go to a gym; mostly because I have bad joints and swimming is my best form of exercise. And here in NE even if I had a pool using it year round would be impossible. I realise this is an old post. I highly recommend swimming because it is good cardio but low impace on your joints. I use a snorkle which make things easier and a water proof mp3 player is a must (check them out on Amazon).

Once you work up your tolerance I also enjoy the eliptical machine. Even with my bad knee I don't have problems with it. Also water aerobics can be as challenging as you make it. Ask the instructor how to make each move harder (ie creating more water resistance).