Good Afternoon All,

Was wondering if anybody had any advice on working out post surgery? I am an avid gym goer (average 3-5x/week). I know for the 1st month you're not really supposed to do anything but walking. After that though, what did some of you all do and how long did it take for you to get back to some form of normal in the gym?

I don't work out at the gym, but I work out with a trainer doing bodyweight exercises, heavy weights, and all that fun stuff. It was 2 months for me - when I was first cleared for exercise I still couldn't lift more than 10 lbs, so I wasn't very motivated to do it until I was a little further out. I also wasn't supposed to do a lot of exercise (beyond walking) until I was eating at least 800-1000 calories/day consistently. And that took me a while. Honestly, between eating so little and just the natural time it takes to recover from what is a major surgery, 2 months was right for me.

When I started back with the trainer, I went slow on weights and ab work until I was confident with my body being ready for it.

I recently started heavy cardio and I had my surgery in February. Before I was just walking and doing low impact workout videos. I waited to exercise because i was so anemic after surgery, walking was a pain. But everyone is different. My doc says typically around month 3 when you start being able to eat more foods, youll find you have the capacity to start going out and really move your body.

I started running last week and its definitely different. I feel like I have less stamina from the long break I took from running and I burp A LOT while I'm running from sucking in air lol. My knees hurt a lot less though so I know if I just stick with it, I'll get the cardio conditioning I want.

1 hour ago, Queen ApisM said:

I don't work out at the gym, but I work out with a trainer doing bodyweight exercises, heavy weights, and all that fun stuff. It was 2 months for me - when I was first cleared for exercise I still couldn't lift more than 10 lbs, so I wasn't very motivated to do it until I was a little further out. I also wasn't supposed to do a lot of exercise (beyond walking) until I was eating at least 800-1000 calories/day consistently. And that took me a while. Honestly, between eating so little and just the natural time it takes to recover from what is a major surgery, 2 months was right for me.

When I started back with the trainer, I went slow on weights and ab work until I was confident with my body being ready for it.

Yeah, I'm sure it's going to be quite a shock for me. I'm 6' and 320+ lbs, so I tend to lift heavier than a lot of people. I can only imagine how I'm going to feel eating so much fewer calories than I currently do and trying to engage in strength/resistance training.

18 minutes ago, fourmonthspreop said:

I recently started heavy cardio and I had my surgery in February. Before I was just walking and doing low impact workout videos. I waited to exercise because i was so anemic after surgery, walking was a pain. But everyone is different. My doc says typically around month 3 when you start being able to eat more foods, youll find you have the capacity to start going out and really move your body.

I started running last week and its definitely different. I feel like I have less stamina from the long break I took from running and I burp A LOT while I'm running from sucking in air lol. My knees hurt a lot less though so I know if I just stick with it, I'll get the cardio conditioning I want.

I'm sure working out feels a lot different after surgery. I know it's going to be a big adjustment compared to what I'm used to do vs. what I'll be able to do post surgery. I think once I'm able to eat a little more "normal" foods, I think I'll feel better working out then. Time will tell.

I was practically bedridden before surgery, so I don't have a "normal" to get back to at the gym. What I do now is water aerobics five times a week plus (very light) strength conditioning twice a week. It may not sound like much, but it's currently the right amount for me. Slowly and surely getting stronger all the time feels fantastic.

I dont do gyms. but after about 3 weeks i started walking more and riding my bicycle. I could not run or job yet because of my fat jumping up and down it was painful.

I had my surgery several years ago, but I was only allowed to walk for the first four weeks. After that, I was cleared to do anything but weights. I could do weights starting at eight weeks out.

4 hours ago, Muffinman1119 said:

Yeah, I'm sure it's going to be quite a shock for me. I'm 6' and 320+ lbs, so I tend to lift heavier than a lot of people. I can only imagine how I'm going to feel eating so much fewer calories than I currently do and trying to engage in strength/resistance training.

I will say - the first few months were tough energy wise, and then it felt like I lost a lot of my ab strength. But, now pretty much 10 months out, my exercise game is so much improved! I'm doing those training workouts again, and back to my old weight levels (and heavier for some things). I've also added a ton more weekly workouts and it is just so much easier even as I push myself harder. All that's to say that the temporary performance set backs are quickly won back, and with extra dividends!

16 hours ago, FutureSylph said:

I was practically bedridden before surgery, so I don't have a "normal" to get back to at the gym. What I do now is Water aerobics five times a week plus (very light) strength conditioning twice a week. It may not sound like much, but it's currently the right amount for me. Slowly and surely getting stronger all the time feels fantastic.

Water Aerobics is a great way to exercise for sure! Practically no wear and tear on you, but you get that added resistance from working against the water. I'm glad you found something that is working out for you.

15 hours ago, liveaboard15 said:

I dont do gyms. but after about 3 weeks i started walking more and riding my bicycle. I could not run or job yet because of my fat jumping up and down it was painful.

Walking and bike riding are great for anyone. I think a lot of people discredit walking and just write it off. I think that's a big mistake! Walking is a lot easier on your joints and still burns a lot of calories over time.

20 minutes ago, Muffinman1119 said:

Walking and bike riding are great for anyone. I think a lot of people discredit walking and just write it off. I think that's a big mistake! Walking is a lot easier on your joints and still burns a lot of calories over time.

Yup. I go over to a nice area by the river and walk for about an hour when i can. it gets my heart rate up.

15 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

I had my surgery several years ago, but I was only allowed to walk for the first four weeks. After that, I was cleared to do anything but weights. I could do weights starting at eight weeks out.

Right. I'm under that same understanding that nothing but walking for the first month, then cardio, and eventually resistance training with weights.

Edited June 15, 20224 yr by Muffinman1119

21 hours ago, Muffinman1119 said:

Walking and bike riding are great for anyone. I think a lot of people discredit walking and just write it off. I think that's a big mistake! Walking is a lot easier on your joints and still burns a lot of calories over time.

I 100% agree with this. Pre-surgery (and pre-pandemic) I used to walk about 5.5-6 miles every other day, and I lost about 30 lbs over the course of a summer. I dislocated my knee right as the pandemic started, and gained a bunch of weight in recovery. But I’m hoping to get back to that once my stamina gets better.

On 6/14/2022 at 12:00 PM, Muffinman1119 said:

Yeah, I'm sure it's going to be quite a shock for me. I'm 6' and 320+ lbs, so I tend to lift heavier than a lot of people. I can only imagine how I'm going to feel eating so much fewer calories than I currently do and trying to engage in strength/resistance training.

I haven't had surgery yet, but I feel like it'll be a shock for me too. When I did group personal training, I'd get a odd rush from the trainer being like "oh you can lift heavier" (heavier than the other women in my group) and high fiveing me after graduating to a higher weight each week. I know it'll definitely be a test of patience till I'm cleared for heavy stuff.

Edited June 17, 20224 yr by loli_lotus

19 hours ago, loli_lotus said:

I haven't had surgery yet, but I feel like it'll be a shock for me too. When I did group personal training, I'd get a odd rush from the trainer being like "oh you can lift heavier" (heavier than the other women in my group) and high fiveing me after graduating to a higher weight each week. I know it'll definitely be a test of patience till I'm cleared for heavy stuff.

Yeah, I won’t lie, I’ve definitely started to slack at the gym. I used to go 5-6x/week. Now I’m lucky if I go three times. As soon as it’s “taken away” though, I know I’ll miss it instantly.