I tried walking on the treadmill, but I'm so weak! Ideas?

[sleeved51711 0]

I'll be 2 weeks post op tomorrow. I will be on a liquid diet until tomorrow. I tried walking on the treadmill at a easy pace several time now, but I feel so weak and I get light headed easliy. Anyone else have this problem? My doctor isn't concerned with the amount of Protein I'm taking in at this point. I'm wondering if that's the problem.

Thanks!

[Janae 12]

Girl, you are recovering from major freakin' surgery!! Don't worry about exercise this soon. My doctor said start walking at 4 weeks, full exercise at 8 weeks. You need your energy for healing right now!

[AutumnLily 77]

I agree you need to focus on healing and then you can start with the exercising. I am over 3 months post op and have not started an exercise regime (I will be soon). Take it easy and walk for shorter periods of time to keep your blood moving but not to increase your weightloss. You body needs some healing time.

[weho 103]

How long are you trying to walk? I started out just walking around the block and worked my way up. I will be 2 weeks post op tomorrow too. Take it slow. My doc wants me to work up to walking 30 minutes a day everyday by the time I am one month out. I have already done that. Are you getting enough Water? How much Protein are you averaging daily? I am at about 80 grams. Have you checked your sugar levels? Maybe you need to add some carbs to give you a little extra energy. Don't push it though if you feel light-headed. Maybe give it a couple of days and try it again.

My doc is pretty serious about his patients getting enough protein as far out as we are since our bodies need it to heal.

Good luck!

[sleeved51711 0]

The exercise phys wants me to walk 30 minutes 4 times a week. So, that's what I've been trying to do. I had my post-op 2 week phone consultation with my dietician today and I specifically asked her about Protein. She said there is no need for me to be concerned with the amount of protein I'm taking in. Just kinda throws me for a loop because I've seen so many people say that their physician requires you to get in a certain amount daily. She told me now that I'm starting mushy foods, I should stop trying to drink Protein Shakes all together because my body doesn't need the extra. They want me to focus on protein rich foods. I was like... whoa! But I'll give it a try. Thanks ladies for your reply. You all made me feel much better. I've pretty much only drank Water or smart water for the last couple of weeks. Only a few sips of protein shakes here and there when I felt light headed. Nothing sweet tastes good to me. Hopefully that will improve with time, because I have a feeling I will be burned out on water soon. I've got a lot of inspiration and guidance from this board. I'm thankful that I'm able to come here and talk to you all about my journey. You guys rock!

[weho 103]

Maybe you will start to feel more energetic since you are eating your mushies. I just started today so it's hard for me to judge. I sure hope you get your energy back and the light-headedness goes away soon! Wishing you the verty best! Like the above posters said, we are recovering from major surgery so we need to listen to our bodies and take it easy. Keep us updated!

Take care.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,281]

IMO, using the treadmill this early out is probably not the best form of activity you can do right now. Try just walking and pacing for awhile. You have plenty of time to get back on your treadmill. I didn't get back on mine for at least 6 weeks I believe and then didn't even push myself to my limits. I wanted to at least be on full solids first.

If your exercise physician suggested this, then you might need to get some kind of clarification from him/her and let them know how it's affecting you. Feeling dizzy and light headed is not a good thing. Perhaps you can break up the 30 minutes straight into 5-10 minute sessions?

Take good care of yourself and allow more time for healing. Hugs!!!

[Becca 108]

Make sure you are getting enough Iron. I felt like that when my iron levels were a little low. I agree about taking it slow. Try walking outside first and then work up to the treadmill. It really does take your body awhile to recover.

[MexicaliVSG 2]

I'll be 2 weeks post op tomorrow. I will be on a liquid diet until tomorrow. I tried walking on the treadmill at a easy pace several time now, but I feel so weak and I get light headed easliy. Anyone else have this problem? My doctor isn't concerned with the amount of Protein I'm taking in at this point. I'm wondering if that's the problem.

Thanks!

I came home and have 2-doggies so I do a 15 minute stroll in the morning and again at night. The stroll has moved to a walk. We are told 6-weeks to begin light exercising like light weight lifting or swimming. I plan on doing a swimming class that incorporates pool weights--probably through the heat of the summer. I am 5 weeks out 30 lbs down and have had Migraines for about 1-week--some not too bad and a couple have been debilitating. I am not pushing it.

[ouroborous 519]

Hate to say it if you're burnt out on Water, but -- DRINK MORE WATER! Keeping VERY hydrated (get used to it, for us sleevers, it's a long-term thing!) will help with almost every aspect of healing, as well as the likely orthostatic hypotension that you'll deal with once the pounds really start dropping.

So: drink water! It won't fix everything, but it might make the lightheaded feeling a bit better.