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I was banded on Monday 27 June and am feeling almost back to 'normal' after a week of discomfort. I have been walking a little but I am interested to hear advice on exercise. <o =""></o>

I am a gym goer and I walk the dog and that is about the extent of my usual exercise regime. I enjoy the gym (when I don’t feel like I’m the only one in a baggy t-shirt) and I am a member of a new (t-shirt friendly) gym which opened last week. I usually do weights classes (Pump) and cycling classes but my Dr. has said no go until about 4 week post-op. Is this generally the case?<o =""></o>

<o =""></o>Also, given the port location, issues of stretching etc, what are the do’s and don’t? Is Yoga/ Pilates okay? Weight training?<o =""></o>

<o =""></o>Any suggestions or anecdotes about timeframes for exercise and what to look out for would be very much appreciated. Also any advice on how best to hydrate during exercise would also be great to hear.<o =""></o>

Many thanks - this board has been a real life-saver!

Kristen<o =""></o>

Yep, I would say 4 weeks is normal. I couldn't do anything really "jumpy" till about the 8th week though. I felt jostled around in there and got a bit crampy.

I tried doing pilates at 6 weeks and felt like I was "straining" the port. I do it now at 3 months out and am fine.

The only thing I would be careful about the weights is not overdoing it. Take it slow. A hernia right after the banding would SUCK SUCK SUCK.

Many people on here swim for exercise too. Especially now that it is summer!

I applaud you for wanting to get moving. I still have to kick myself in the butt to go out and GET 'ER DONE!!

My doctor has assured me that pretty much anything we feel capable of doing--outside of lifting more than 30 pounds, which should be avoided for at least 4 weeks after surgery--we can do without worrying about causing damage.

As you get back into exercising certain things might indeed be uncomfortable, just because there is now a foreign object under your skin that you'll have to learn to move around. Floor work, for example, was a little tricky for a while. But you don't have to worry about damaging anything once you're fully healed. That equipment was designed to withstand pretty much anything the human body can dish out.

right after your surgery you will need to be a little careful, but by my 2 week bandiversary, I was taking a horseback riding class, and you haven't been josled until you learn to trot, IMNSHO.