I was cleared to work out as I wish and I am thinking of doing some weight lifting. I plan to start out slow and pretty light but am worried that I will hurt my port site. Any advice?

I am not cleared for abdominal work yet, or using the leg press, etc, but can use weights for my arms. I think that is because I had a hernia repair.

I was told not to do core exersizes for two months after the surgery. I'm am scared also because of the port site.

I am not supposed to lift, push, or pull anything for the next week, and then I have to start slowly. Just pay attention to your body. If it hurts, stop! :eek:

Doc said 6 weeks from my surgery date (Jan. 14)... and frankly, my port is still pretty sore at times. I can't imagine putting any further stress on it. I have a pretty deep indention from the port because he had to do some heaving to sew that thing to my fat ole gut. He was probably sweatin' pretty good when he was done. On the bright side, at least I'll know I've lost a considerable amount of weight when I no longer have the indent. It's like a pop-up timer in a turkey. I'll know I'm done when my port is an outtie instead of an innie! :eek:

I was banded on 1/10, and started doing light weight last Friday (3 weeks post-op). I just worked on my arms, shoulders, legs, butt and hips. My doc said absolutely no abdominal work. If I was doing an exercise where I felt a stain in my abs, I would stop it right away. Surprisingly, yoga has been the most challenging workout of all. There were many poses and positions I was not able to do! I thought yoga was going to be a breeze! I think I am going to wait another week before I try yoga again.

I was banded on 1/21 and so far I am just doing the treadmill. My goal for this week is to increase my time to 45 minutes ( 4 days a week) and then return to the elliptical on my 4th week. I was told that I can resume all exercise after 6 weeks but I am a little afraid of the core work. I will have to just play that part by ear. I plan on resuming my classes at the gym at 6 weeks but I may have to take them a little slow. The classes that I was taking prior to the surgery were high impact so I am a little afraid of having the port pain.

Yes, I was banded on Jan 16th and I have been lifting weights for almost 2 weeks. I was told I was only restricted by pain. I started out slow of course. I had already been walking on the treadmill-started walking day after surgery (not even half a mile) and am up to 3 miles walk/jog a day. So, it wasn't like my first time exercising at all but still I started with 2 pound weights just doing my arms 3 times a day. After a couple of days I felt safe trying 5 lb weights and did those for a few days then started on the bowflex. I just do as much as I can with light resistance and without hurting myself. If I start to feel pain at the port site I quit and do something else. I am very afraid of the flabby skin so I am trying to do what I can with it.

You should probably ask your doc what is best for you. I have heard lots of different guidelines from different docs but my doc seems to encourage me to get out there and start working at it. I am glad too. He made me start walking a little right away and I recovered very quickly.

Good luck!

It's like a pop-up timer in a turkey. I'll know I'm done when my port is an outtie instead of an innie! :wink_smile:

WestCoastFatGuy! You made me laugh out loud! Thanks, I needed that.

On the working out with weights.......my doc insists no Eliptical or Box Flex/weights until 8 weeks post op. Walking & Bike is it for me. But I haven't been motivated at all & I know that has to happen.