Hey, friends!

It’s already too hot in Atlanta, so I decided to join a gym and start using the treadmill, elliptical, and stationary bikes. My doctor has cleared me to use all of those and do some light weights (general rule of no lifting 15+ stands). I’m 4 weeks out from surgery as of yesterday and figured this first stall would be a good time to switch things up.

So yesterday I had my consultation that gyms generally force new members into. Explained my situation and told him what my plan was. Next thing I knew, he had me on a balance ball lifting a dumbbell (5-10 lbs) behind my head. It wasn’t super difficult, I had no trouble keeping up or breathing. Even had me do the ropes and some step-ups, both felt fine.

But now, after the fact, I’m paranoid that I overdid it. It was less than 30 minutes of continuous activity. I feel a little different in my abdominal area, but how do I know if I’ve damaged my stomach or it’s just average post-workout discomfort? Anything I should look out for?

Thanks. This surgery has turned me into such a hypochondriac! ?

if you damaged something or tore something you would know and be in pain. Me personally i wouldnt be doing heavy lifting for a couple months. As for everything else its great. I am 4-5 weeks out and i am going out for walks, using a stationary bicycle and waiting on my actual mountain bike to come back from the shop so i can start using it. I tried jogging yesterday but that did not work out too well with all my fat still bouncing around it was a little painful so i need to loose more fat before i start jogging or wear like a compression thing around my stomach

I’m excited to get back on my bike as well. I live in a neighborhood with a ton of hardcore cyclists so it’s a little intimidating haha

Thanks for the feedback. I’m going to have to break up with this overly enthusiastic trainer until I’m 100%. Everything just happened so fast lol

A good trainer should listen when you tell them important details, like that you just had abdominal surgery. You need to be able to tell them if something hurts or you are not in condition to move forward with an exercise. It's a fine line because they are there to push you past your comfort level, but there has to be good communication and trust.

At my 2-week surgical follow-up with my surgeon, he cleared me to go back to the gym and begin lifting weights without restrictions. It was such a relief to go back!!!