Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How long until starting exercise?



Recommended Posts

I have noticed a tremendous amount of energy since having my surgery just over a week ago. I am not trying to push it because I do not want any complications. I know that it is extremely early to even have this cross my mind, but to be honest with all of you I feel like I am having the smoothest possible recovery. I have just started having a little bit of yogurt today, and want to be able to jump start some sort of fitness regime while I have this good feeling. I have not been doing much except taking the dogs out for an hour walk around the block. Does any one else have new found energy? Want to work out but know they cant? When is the safest time to start something?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Safest way is chatting with your surgeon and getting the okay for anything other than walking.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also had a huge energy surge. I could only sleep 4 hours a night, and felt like the energizer bunny on steroids. I got a bike and did a triathlon and a 50 mile bike race in the first year post op. I think it is the ketosis of rapid weight loss that causes this. I started walking right away, hitting 10,000 steps a day by the end of week one, then speed walking, climbing stairs, upper body and leg exercises. I used very light weights ( 3 pounds), and did wall pushups, as well as a stretching routine. I went up to 5 pound weights on my arm exercises. Was training to do a one day rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike, and then Covid hit and the world changed. And ketosis stopped, and I don't have all the energy now that I did a year ago.

I say go for it! But please, please, please follow your doctor's instructions to the tee when it comes to weights and lifting. There is a lot healing on the inside that you can't see and you DO NOT want another surgery to repair a hernia or any other damage. But use all the energy you have now to your advantage. It will put you in great metabolic condition and help the weight come off even faster.

PS: We have about the same height, starting weights, and BMI. I reached my goal of 149 within 7 months. I know that is pretty fast, but I want to encourage you to go for it. You will hit 180 pretty quickly and may well discover that your body wants to keep losing. It was so exciting to get to a normal BMI. So great to hit 180, but then don't be afraid to go lower. The energy surge really helps.

Edited by AZhiker

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I could walk right away. At four weeks out I was cleared to do pretty much everything but weights. I got the OK on those when I was about eight weeks out.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, AZhiker said:

I also had a huge energy surge. I could only sleep 4 hours a night, and felt like the energizer bunny on steroids. I got a bike and did a triathlon and a 50 mile bike race in the first year post op. I think it is the ketosis of rapid weight loss that causes this. I started walking right away, hitting 10,000 steps a day by the end of week one, then speed walking, climbing stairs, upper body and leg exercises. I used very light weights ( 3 pounds), and did wall pushups, as well as a stretching routine. I went up to 5 pound weights on my arm exercises. Was training to do a one day rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike, and then Covid hit and the world changed. And ketosis stopped, and I don't have all the energy now that I did a year ago.

I say go for it! But please, please, please follow your doctor's instructions to the tee when it comes to weights and lifting. There is a lot healing on the inside that you can't see and you DO NOT want another surgery to repair a hernia or any other damage. But use all the energy you have now to your advantage. It will put you in great metabolic condition and help the weight come off even faster.

PS: We have about the same height, starting weights, and BMI. I reached my goal of 149 within 7 months. I know that is pretty fast, but I want to encourage you to go for it. You will hit 180 pretty quickly and may well discover that your body wants to keep losing. It was so exciting to get to a normal BMI. So great to hit 180, but then don't be afraid to go lower. The energy surge really helps.

That is good to hear, I will definitely be speaking to my surgeon to see what he has to say. I have another appointment with the doctors' in 2 weeks and I will bring it. By then it will be about 4 weeks post-op. I am just trying to keep the energy going by doing what you said you were doing, walking, maybe 10,000 steps. I guess its a good time to put my Apple Watch back on haha. It has felt like forever since I have had this type of energy, this type of motivation to get things going in my life. I thank you for your information, it is more helpful than you think, but I will seek out advice from a doctor before I do anything too strenuous

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Calm down but great attitude. You need to let you body heal 4-5 weeks - Just walk till you drop I also used a eliptical a few weeks out but on low gear. Best thing to do now is drink Water - Get you Vitamins and mineral plan in order and walk 10k steps per day. Sounds like alot but it really isn't that hard that is two good long walks and working

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doc said 10,000 steps a day, so I went for it. Anyway, about the energy, I asked my PCP, the bariatric NP, and the nutritionist about the energy surge, and they all acted like they had never heard of such a thing, and even offered my sleeping pills! Got my thyroid checked, too, and it was fine. Knowing that others have experienced this as well, was reassuring, and I just chalked it up to ketosis. It slowed down and stopped after I reached goal weight, so now I can actually sleep 7-8 hours a night, and unfortunately, I have to work a bit harder to make myself exercise! :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 12/25/2020 at 1:48 PM, merraculous said:

I have noticed a tremendous amount of energy since having my surgery just over a week ago. I am not trying to push it because I do not want any complications. I know that it is extremely early to even have this cross my mind, but to be honest with all of you I feel like I am having the smoothest possible recovery. I have just started having a little bit of yogurt today, and want to be able to jump start some sort of fitness regime while I have this good feeling. I have not been doing much except taking the dogs out for an hour walk around the block. Does any one else have new found energy? Want to work out but know they cant? When is the safest time to start something?

well, I just had my gastric bypass on Jan 12th and I wish I had not overdone it. I went to a basically empty mall where I live and people go there to get there walking done inside. I am only 3wks post-op, and not mention the Dr did 5 hrs worth of work on my intestines, besides the bypass. I walked 3 days in a row as fast as I could and all the bouncing on my belly was a really bad idea. So, start slow, and make sure you are good and healed before doing what I did. I am still paying for it. The pain?? I even had a fever all day yesterday, but none today, so I guess I am fine?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am 2 weeks post op and my doc told me at my 1 week check up that I could do intensive classes on peloton right away. He said crank up that resistance, get out of the saddle and aim for the 30-45 minute classes. I told him I was nervous to push myself so soon- but he said it is totally fine. I’ve done about 3 intensive classes since my appointment last week and I’ve felt great- no issues! I walk on the other days. My BMI is 49 and I have 150+ lbs to lose to get near an ideal weight . I’m 5’3. Good luck everyone- I’m ready to drop these pounds.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×