I'm 3 weeks post op and I'm not sure how I can exercise my stomach... I have such an awareness of my port and don't want to do any damage.

i was told no abdominal exercises for 6 weeks after my surgery. every surgeon is different you should ask ur dr just to make sure

cycling and running is a best exercise for stomach.

You are in the healing process for at least 6 weeks. My doctor told me no ab work and no weight lifting. Walking and cycling will work your core without directly impacting your stomach area. Just let your body be your guide and take a break or slow it down when you start to feel soreness.

Listen to your doctors!!! Don't do anything for 6 weeks. I learnt the hard way. Two weeks after my surgery, our kitchen flooded. I tried to help with the clean up without exerting any effort but mindlessly picked up a bucket with 3 wet towels in it. A week later, I ended up back in hospital with the most sever stabbing pains I've ever had in my life. Ended up that I tore a stitch at my port. Not bad enough to need surgery again but bad enough that almost 2 years later I still get occasional sharp agganising pain (doc reckons the tear must be on a nerve).

I will get my port moved later down the track so hopefully that will resolve it.

For the sake of 6 weeks, don't risk it. This means lifting baskets of laundry and reaching up too.

Be especially kind to your body during the healing period, be mindful of what you are doing and take care.

Yea mines also said 6wks

What do you want to do with your stomach? You can't "spot lose" weight. You can do exercises for your abs when you have clearance from your doc that will tone the muscles in it.

I would listen to your dr. But with that said, I went in for my 3 week post op apt today and even with an infected incision I was cleared to start weight training and have no exercise limitations.

For six weeks, I just walked on the treadmill, stair master and stationary bike. There was no lifting involved and around week 5 I did a little Zumba with not much movement in my hips.

As mentioned earlier you can't spot reduce. In general after surgery I returned to swimming which is a great all over work out. For now concentrate on general calorie burning cardio.

My doctor said DEFINATELY nothing for 2 weeks then as tolerated after that.

Of course check with your Dr but for the sake of 6 weeks, be very careful. In the big picture, 6 weeks is nothing. We have all been obese for many, many years......taking it easy for 6 weeks post surgery isn't going to make any difference to your result after 1-2 years.

Listen to your body, be kind to yourself and give yourself time to heal properly. :-)

Great Advice!

I exercised regularly before being banded so I'm no stranger to working out. I'm 4 weeks post op and I'm only doing the recumbent bike and sometimes the elliptical for now

Im 2 weeks post op and was feeling guilty about just relaxing. I do walk and run errands but was going to start the gym again tmrw. But now I think I'll wait a bit until I see my dr next week. I feel great no pain no meds but I can feel my port area and my incisions still have some of the "derma glue" on them. I will take it easy. Thanks guys!