[Rachael]

Right now I am going to the gym 3-5 times a week. I use a treadmill and do an interval training thing based on my heart rate (setting a high and low) with a maximum speed of 3.5. I do this for an hour and when my interval is slowing down, I like to get a lot of arm motion and body motion in there.

I realize that right after surgery I won't be doing it like that, but does anyone know how long it will be before I'm back on the treadmill and about how long it might be before I can really go for it again?

I mean, I know everyone is different, but is it unrealistic to think that I might be able to do a slow treadmill walk (speed of about 2.5) for 15-20 minutes or so about 2 weeks out?

[BOOTS]

The Only Thing I Can Say Is You Will Know When You Get There. Everyone Is Different. There Are Some On Here Who Felt Fine The Day After And Thery Some On Here Who Took Weeks To Feel Good And Then Are Also Some On Here Who Had Complications. You Just Dont Know Till You Get There. Your Doc Will Tell You When You Are Ready Hun

[Rachael]

Thanks. You know, when I was in my 20s, I had an exploratory laparotomy and was up and about the next day. They sent me home early because I was up and around so well. I returned back to work in 4 weeks instead of the usual 6.

Same when I had my son. I had a c-section, but was up and about the next day. I was on medical coupons so they wanted me out as soon as possible and tried to send me home the next day. Now I know that the usual stay for a c-section is 4 days - besides, they wanted to keep my son for observation for a heart murmur and some extra fluid he had, all normal in a c-section, but still to be observed. I refused, though I did go home after 3 days, but was up pushing him in the neighborhood in his stroller in less than a week. I felt great!

Of course, that was almost 16 years ago.

But I'm hoping it will be the same this time too.

I'm also hoping that the prior surgeries won't be a contraindication, but of course, this will be one of the first things I ask when I see my doctor Friday. But she will probably have me wait to ask the surgeon - When I get to that point.

I'm sorry. I really don't mean to get so ahead of things. I'm just really excited.

[DocSanae]

Prior surgeries won't be a contraindication, however, it may dictate the method of your surgery. If the surgeon thinks there may be too much adhesion from prior abdominal surgeries, he may want to go open instead of lap. Now, there have been plenty of people who've had the surgery done lap even with prior abdominal surgery, but the probability of the surgeon having to change from lap to open is obviously higher with such cases.

As for excercise, you are insturcted to start walking as soon as you can post op, so if you can't walk outside, a slow rate on the treadmill should be fine, just make sure your surgeon clears that. Strenuous exercises and resistance exercises take longer, between 3 months to 6 months usually, depending on the surgeon. Again, follow your surgeon's instructions, even if people on this board are doing differntly, as the person who operated on you should know better how your insides are, and when it's safe to go up another rung of the ladder.

[kimtindall]

I was walking outside the day I got home...very small runs though as I tired so easily. I was released to "work out" at almost 3 months.

[Trulykath]

They will have you up the night of surgery with this one....to help get rid of the gas!
I was in the gym in about 6 weeks....can't do the treadmill because of the impact on my knees...I usually stick to weights and either bike or elliptical! I shoot to go 3 times a week!

[qt82699]

everyone is different go by how you feel and what your surgeon tells you to do, i was released to do whatever at my 1 month check up, then started hitting the gym, running on the treadmill and all