How long before normal activities?

kemo46 · April 22, 2011

After your surgery, how long was it before you could get back to your normal activities? Running, lifting weights, in other words, doing things and not worring about ripping your stomach open? I think mentally, I would be scared that everything i would do post op would tear my stomach open and cause a leak, did you have the same fears and how long was it before you were back to normal and did not worry about it?

Thank you.

JamieLynn77 · April 22, 2011

I am 4 months out, and I was told by my doc, not to do anything that engaged my core, for at least 2 months. I just got permission to do crunches and ab work. I would almost say that weights would fall into that catagory. Running may be different. I have never been a runner, so i am not sure. but i was on the move almost right after i came home. i think that contributed to my speedy recovery. I was always up and moving.maybe not always doing anything strenuous, but i was moving none the less. so I would just get with your doc. Lord knows from talking to different people on here, each surgeon is different lol, Now tho, I do all my old routine and have no worries. :-)

kemo46 · April 22, 2011

I am 4 months out, and I was told by my doc, not to do anything that engaged my core, for at least 2 months. I just got permission to do crunches and ab work. I would almost say that weights would fall into that catagory. Running may be different. I have never been a runner, so i am not sure. but i was on the move almost right after i came home. i think that contributed to my speedy recovery. I was always up and moving.maybe not always doing anything strenuous, but i was moving none the less. so I would just get with your doc. Lord knows from talking to different people on here, each surgeon is different lol, Now tho, I do all my old routine and have no worries. :-)

Thank you JamieLynn77, that does help knowing that. Congrats on your weight loss, i cannot wait.

JamieLynn77 · April 22, 2011

thank you! and good luck to you on your adventure do you have a surgeon, or are you just kinda scoping things out first?

fatBgone · April 22, 2011

So I'm two weeks no lifting over 20 lbs, no bathing or swimming, and only walking for exercise. 2-4 weeks can add activities but no core strengthening like sit-ups. After 4 weeks I'm good to go to normal activities.

samantha209 · April 22, 2011

i was told no exercise other than walking for 6 weeks

Nicole W · April 22, 2011

It seems my surgeon differs on everything I read! He told me nothing heavier than 25 lbs for 3 weeks and then ENCOURAGED me to go to the gym and get some weight training and heavier cardio in. He said that the staples heal as fast as the incisions do.

Amanda131 · April 22, 2011

My doctor was more relaxed than I was comfortable with. His orders were no lifting anything heavier than 25lbs. for four weeks. I was encouraged to walk immediately and add weight training at 4 weeks. I am more cautious than that though. I've dealt with scar tissue from moving too fast before. So, I began walking for excercise at 3 weeks and adding weight training and other cardio activities at 5 weeks. I will not start core excercises until 8 weeks out. I'd rather be safe than sorry!

mandems mom · April 23, 2011

I was told to wait 10 days to lift my baby (18 pounds) and no lifting weights or abdominal exercises for 1 month. He also wanted me to walk for an hour every day, but I'm only getting in about 100 calories a day (6 days post-op) and walk as much as I have energy for, but it's nowhere near to an hour.

kemo46 · April 23, 2011

So I'm two weeks no lifting over 20 lbs, no bathing or swimming, and only walking for exercise. 2-4 weeks can add activities but no core strengthening like sit-ups. After 4 weeks I'm good to go to normal activities.

No Bathing? How long did your doctor tell you not to bath?

fatBgone · April 23, 2011

Two weeks. I can shower just not sit in a tub or swim.

kemo46 · April 23, 2011

Two weeks. I can shower just not sit in a tub or swim.

Wow, that is a relief, i would probably start to smell after 2 weeks. :blink:

Hawaii50 · April 23, 2011

This is what I got:

Walking only for the first 6 weeks

No baths/swimming until week 3

No lifting over 30 lbs until 6 weeks out

My main concern was sports: sprinting, throwing, catching, sliding. I play soccer, softball and ultimate frisbee and he said not until the 3 month mark! (This is killing me, but my teams will still be there when I'm ready)

I'm almost at the 4th week mark, and I know I'm not even ready to do any major stretching like Yoga or swimming laps or helping my husband with the 10 yards of mulch in our driveway (sorry babe) ;o) Still kinda sore on the inside, and don't want to risk pushing myself too quick.