Tomorrow I'll be exactly 6 weeks post op. Until yesterday the only exercise I've been doing is walking on the treadmill. Yesterday I went to the gym and did an aerobics step class, but I kept getting dizzy.

So my question is how did people manage to get back to rigorous exercise after surgery with eating so little? Do you have any tips on what you eat before a workout to help get you through the workout?

Edited December 2, 201510 yr by dede0314

Start slow.... the exercise workout might have been too much too fast.

1) Drink lots of Water before a heavy workout.

2) if you get dizzy... make sure you take a break and hydrate.

I walk 45 min a day and do the elliptical for 45 minutes. However, I worked up to 45 min in 10 min and 5 min increments. So maybe try a 15 min step program for a few days. Then add 10 min for a week and then add another 10 min for anther week. Remember - go slow otherwise you will get discourages.

Hope this helps.

I agree. Stay hydrated and take your time. I personally love the water, so once I was cleared to get in the pool I was happy. I started out slow and now I am regularly lap swimming and taking a water aerobics classes.

Drinking Water...or hydrating--period, was very difficult for me; as it is for most. However, in the midst of my exercise routine, drinking water was much easier. Hopefully, you will find it easier to hydrate during your exercise as well. I personally tried to consume higher calorie foods on my exercise days. I needed the energy and sustainability to get through my rigorous activities. My biggest go-to was unsalted nuts or natural peanut/almond butter. At 6 weeks post-op, I know consumption is really difficult. At your stage, Greek yogurt embedded with fruits was my other go-to-food. The extra sugar gave me extra energy. One last tip for hydrating: ice. I love to go to my local Dairy Queen (I'm a Texas girl) and grab a cup of their fine, soft ice and munch on it. It goes down so much easier that drinking water.

Keep it up!!!

Thanks for the advice everyone

I agree with the others. Start slow. Anything is more than not doing anything so let yourself be proud of that. Keep walking and then slowly add other intense exercising into the routine. During exercise, make sure to hydrate a lot and before a workout, I would eat something light like a protein bar or nuts. Something that will help fuel you but not weigh you down.