So I am cleared for all workout routines but I cant help being worried to do crunches and work on my stomach. Im so scared I will pull or stretch or hurt something in there. Im 3 months out was others doing stomach exercises at this point?

I was released to do full exercise including weights at 3.5 months out, and I had major complications, an additional hospitalization.

My surgeon releases patients for full exercise at 6 weeks out if there are no complications.

I would recommend doing stand up crunches first. They're easier on your back, and let you control the pressure that is on your abdomen more than the ones that you do laying down.

I swear by stand up crunches for shrinking my tummy, and "pulling up" belly. I squat against the wall, roll my shoulders slightly forward and down, while tilting my pelvic up and tightening my core muscles. It not only helps your tummy, but it'll help tone up your thighs as well because you're in the sqatting position with your legs shoulder width apart.

also if you belong to a gym, they have or may have, a crunch machine. I swear by that. . you can adjust the weight as you see fit and crunch against the weight. . .

I was released to do full exercise including weights at 3.5 months out, and I had major complications, an additional hospitalization.

My surgeon releases patients for full exercise at 6 weeks out if there are no complications.

I would recommend doing stand up crunches first. They're easier on your back, and let you control the pressure that is on your abdomen more than the ones that you do laying down.

I swear by stand up crunches for shrinking my tummy, and "pulling up" belly. I squat against the wall, roll my shoulders slightly forward and down, while tilting my pelvic up and tightening my core muscles. It not only helps your tummy, but it'll help tone up your thighs as well because you're in the sqatting position with your legs shoulder width apart.

So, are you curling your shoulders and pelvis at the same time, making a C shape and then releasing? How many reps and sets?

So, are you curling your shoulders and pelvis at the same time, making a C shape and then releasing? How many reps and sets?

Yep, that's what I do. I kind of roll into myself, tightening everything I can as I roll.

I started doing 25 a day for the first 5 days then each day I'd add 5 reps until I got to 100. It's a slow roll, and crunch to really isolate your core.

You can intensify it by crossing one leg over your knee, but I found this impossible to do when I was heavy.

I also put a basketball or soccer ball behind my back and roll up and down the wall. The big workout balls are just too cumbersome, and I don't "feel" it like I do with a smaller ball.

Hi greeneyes, you should be fine 3 months out, it should be well healed.

Jane x

Try some Pilates stomach exercises - either from a DVD or you should be able to find some examples online. They can be modified for intensity as you get stronger. This really shapes up the entire tummy area.

Dr. L told me that crunches weren't a concern, and actually were a good thing. I know this may be counterintuitive, but the fact is that crunches don't cause the "dangerous" kind of pressure on your stomach ("dangerous" is expansive -- making your stomach swell up). If anything, crunches do the opposite, squishing it down flatter.

Of course, in the initial healing period, you shouldn't be doing ANY heavy lifting. But -- again, according to my surgeon -- once you're cleared to exercise, "core" exercises like this are actually beneficial.

.. I take belly dancing lessons twice a week. I have not had surgery yet... I am a little worried about getting back into all the stomach isolations involved in that kind of dancing... I really don't want to get worse at my skills...I am hoping the incisions don't mess too much with my muscles too...I def use expansive moves for some of the isolations. I hope I don't need to wait longer than 6 weeks to start getting back into the class.

I was told 3 months for abdominal work (this includes push-ups). I've started light weights already (I just do one full-body set 3x a week), and of course it involves the abs a bit, but it seems to be fine. I'm starting ballet and jazz classes next week, I hope it's not gonna involve my abs too much.

You can always do other core strengthening excersise such as pelvic tilt or planks. I haven't had my sleeve, but after my c-section I was scared to do crunches too. I found a video called bender ball that concentrates on your core. Also the YMCA has great classes that are reasonable.

how long after the surgery can you go running or do any sort of strenuous exercise?

how long after the surgery can you go running or do any sort of strenuous exercise?

Check the Fitness & Exercise forum, I posted my surgeon's guidelines there.

I started doing crunches at 6 weeks out.

I don't get what tiffy is talking about. I need to see this.