I work out with a personal trainer and also do pilates. How long after surgery will I be able to work out and do ab work? I really don't want to take too much time off.

I think you'll probably need to check with your surgeon about this. Since they use different techniques and different materials to close your wounds (for example...some use glue, some staples, some sutures etc) it will be up to him/her to give you some guidance. What worked for someone on this board might not be right for you.

It would be best to check with your own Dr. as each have their own recovery rules. Mine told me that NO ab workouts or weight training until 6 weeks after. They want you up and walking immediately, and encourage at least 30 minutes per day of walking in the begining. Then during the first month you can move to other forms of exercise but nothing that would be considered "intense workouts" where you can't talk and are out of breath. I would try to keep things low to mid intensity level until the six week point then gradually work your way up to other forms of exercise. Also, it would be a good idea to slowly introduce the ab and weights and give yourself a day or two of rest and recovery between each workout. Good luck!

It never ceases to amaze me how different every doc/every experience is. I just spent over 1/2 day post op meeting with nutritionist, exercise therapist yada yada etc! AND they told us lap band patients we could start doing resistance workouts (ie weights) at week 2! Of course we aren't supposed to lift anything over 15-20 pounds until the start of week 3, but....

Can't eat but boy we can lift weights ! LOL