Hi I am 4 weeks post op sleeved 4/28/15 down 23lbs and loving my sleeve . I am allowed by my surgeon to do more than just walk at 6 weeks post I am planing on returning to the gym but I would like to know how long did it take you guys to do crunches ab workouts ... The thought of it scares me Its like I don't want anything near my stomach area please help

I'm going to ask my doctor the same thing Tuesday. I'm 4 weeks out now and my trainer is anxious to get his hands on me ????????????????. Of course it's back to basics and baby steps again since I haven't worked out with him as of 11/2014 but I want to get in shape, tighten up skin, and lose fat/lbs with my new little tummy!

How is it going with you now?

Michelle

6/23/15 update

PCP said ok for cardio and upper body strength training but wait until 6 weeks out of abdominals other than plank or elliptical bike to avoid pressure to sutures and staples. Going for 4 days cardio and 2 days strength training starting this week!

Edited June 25, 201511 yr by michellemartin961

I was told to wait 8 weeks before I did anything except walk. I am 3 months out. Just started crutches yesterday. Lol.

I had my surgery on 2/17/2015. I just checked my entries and I started back at the gym on 3/30/2015. I wanted until I spoke with my surgeon about being safe to go to the gym not only because of the physical exertion, but also because it is a hotbed of bacteria. I had a hematoma that had to be kept open and packed, so it took a while. When I was finally healed up enough to not worry about infections, I was told to do exercise as tolerated.

I started doing only cardio, stationary bike, treadmill, and elliptical. Then I added light weights and simply moving my body around the core. As long as I didn't feel any pain, I would continue what I was doing or add something new. I have known the people that work in the rec center for about 7 years so I had no problem telling them that I had sleeve surgery. They recommended I start off on the ab machine so that I was using a lighter weight than my body weight. Now I am using the ball with a medicine ball in my hands held infront of my face to ensure proper posture while doing crunches. I don't remember what I started out doing, probably 30 crunches with 3 sets of 10. Now I am up to about 200 crunches a day. I also do oblique crunches to make sure I am strengthening all of my core and not just my abs.

I have a little pattern that I follow. I start with the medicine ball and do ten "around the worlds" in each direction.Ball in left hand bring the ball behind you and pass it to your right hand. Bring your right hand around to your front and pass it to your left hand. Repeat 10 times. This is to keep my shoulders loose and to increase range of motion. I have to do this since I also had shoulder surgery and it is a hold over from my rehab days. Then I do 10 crunches on the ball with the same medicine ball held in front of my face. Next is what ever weight training I am doing that day. Shoulders and back, bi's & triceps, or chest. One set of whatever weight and then I go get a sip of Water from the fountain. This gives me the rest before I repeat the process and helps me hit my water goal for the day.

On a shoulder day, I will do about 7 different exercises with 3 sets. In between those are sets of 10 crunches on the ball. Then I switch to the cable machine for 2 different oblique exercises. After I finish with the weight room, I go over to the cardio for 30 min to get a good sweat on. It took me a good two months to build up to that.

I want to stress that I am not trying to build muscle though. Back when I was far more into weight lifting, it was all about muscle growth. I am only trying to stave off atrophy and muscle loss right now. I am not doing anything over 30lbs EVER! I am only 4 months out, you cannot gain muscle mass safely at this stage. Worry about gaining muscle and definition after you hit your goal.

<edit>

Woah, that turned out to be a book. Sorry about that, didn't mean to go all Steinbeck on you!

Edited June 22, 201511 yr by BigViffer