Question...how soon after post op did you start working out? What was the intensity/type of exercise? And how quickly were able to increase the workouts? I know everyone is different. I have been doing crossfit for the past seven weeks and am hooked. I have surgery next Monday. Just trying to get an idea of how quickly I can get back into it once surgery is over. I plan to talk to my doc Wednesday to get his advice too. Just wanted to hear from some people who have been there, done that.

I've not done any real exercise beyond walking since surgery. But I was cleared for light weight training at 6 weeks post-op. After 6 months, I was told I could do whatever kind of weight training I wanted.

You should start walking right away. I wasn't cleared for any other exercising until 4 weeks post op. I find that YouTube has a lot of good vids for cardio. I personally do Tae Bo Basics (you burn nearly 400 calories in 25 mins) and Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds - 1 mile and 2 mile. You want to avoid lifting or bending in your first few weeks. I was up and walking the day after my surgery. The walking also helps with the gas you'll have!

I wasn't cleared for anything other than walking for four weeks, and after that only cleared for low impact aerobic exercise for another two weeks. And I was told if I felt even a twinge or tug in my abdomen I had to stop immediately and wait another month before trying again. Luckily I had no twinges!

Started off w/ walking (which is encouraged), but after two weeks moved to running. Now doing eliptical and running. Haven't started working out yet and I'm 10 weeks out, but I'm cleared. I'm focusing on cardio right now, but understand I need to step up weights (nothing heavy; just to tone).

If you're working out vigorously, do you adjust your calorie or protein intake?

I was cleared for all exercises 4 weeks out but I started with cardio for weeks 5 and 6 post-op. The first month I had only walked.

At 7 weeks post-op I started with a trainer.

Cross-fit is intense (and addictive I hear) so I would suggest that you talk with your surgeon and/or PCP about what is involved and what your specific limitations are for crossfit.

Best of luck. You'Ll do great!

For the first 4-6 weeks post op.....walk......walk......and walk some more. After that, it would be a good idea to start into some resistance training and up the intensity on the cardio.

I was cleared for all exercises 4 weeks out but I started with cardio for weeks 5 and 6 post-op. The first month I had only walked. At 7 weeks post-op I started with a trainer. Cross-fit is intense (and addictive I hear) so I would suggest that you talk with your surgeon and/or PCP about what is involved and what your specific limitations are for crossfit. Best of luck. You'Ll do great!

Crossfit is totally addictive but very intense. Fortunately my trainer adjust everything for my fitness level. So it can be modified. Two weeks in I found I had a tremendous amount of energy and I was hooked.

I've yet to have the surgery. Because I have a compression fracture in my spine and a herniated disc, I work out in the pool for about an hour, 40 minutes cardio and then about 10 resistance training and then a 5 minute or so cool down/stretching. Anyone else work out in a pool?

I've yet to have the surgery. Because I have a compression fracture in my spine and a herniated disc' date=' I work out in the pool for about an hour, 40 minutes cardio and then about 10 resistance training and then a 5 minute or so cool down/stretching. Anyone else work out in a pool?[/quote']

I use to do the same thing when my back went out. Have degenerative disk disease and my weight certainly doesn't help. But a pool workout was a great way to stay active while recovering.