exercise

[anibioman]

I really enjoy working out and don't want to abstain from it for so long. I really love it and don't want to loose all my gains. How long after top surgery did you start weight lifting and running?

[Elijah3291]

I think I waited around 2 months just to be safe, I didn't want to risk extra scar stretching. I cardio should be safe a little sooner.

[Alexthecat]

On my post op directions it says you can do cardio at 3 weeks but don't do things that rub the nipples or uses the arms to much.

[Bimmer Guy]

I really enjoy working out and don't want to abstain from it for so long. I really love it and don't want to loose all my gains. How long after top surgery did you start weight lifting and running?

I think you should call and ask your surgeon. I am sure the front desk can tell you what Fischer recommends.

[blink]

This is something I've been thinking about too. You might find this article interesting/helpful:
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/anatomyandphysiology/a/Deconditioning.htm

The good news is, apparently even if you "lose" a lot of progress, it will be easier to get back to where you were than it was the first time thanks to muscle memory.

[SX0877]

It is generally recommended to avoid heavy exercise for 4 weeks, but it really depends on how you are feeling.
I tried some short duration jogging at about 2.5 weeks post op and it was fine. Strength training that does not involve upper arms such as biceps concentration curls or leg curls caused me no pain.
I tried some push ups at around 3 weeks post op and those hurt, so I did not do any chest or back exercise or anything exercise that may stretch my upper-body until around 6 weeks post op.
I felt some sharp pain in my lower ribs when I ran 4-6 weeks post op I was not sure if it was from surgery since the location was below my incision line. I switched my cardio to spinning which did not cause so much impact and the pain went away.
So in general, I think you can start exercise carefully when you feel like it, but do not drive yourself too hard. If you eat a balanced diet and keep active by walking around and mild exercises, you will NOT lose your gains by taking 1-2 months off from gym.

[Kreuzfidel]

I won't be doing any serious working out until after 6 weeks.  Even then, I probably would think that's too early for myself - I am more likely to wait several months before going at it full force.

[aleon515]

It's been almost 3 months for me, but tomorrow I'm going snow shoeing and I want to take a martial arts class. So since I haven't found a school/dojo/whatever I don't know. I have to be careful about that as I have coordination problems, and it makes a difference.

--Jay

[anibioman]

I did push ups today. No pain really, I just can't do them. I have no strength in my chest. maybe because I didn't use my chest for a month. Plus it wasn't good to begin with.

[Alexthecat]

I did push ups today. No pain really, I just can't do them. I have no strength in my chest. maybe because I didn't use my chest for a month. Plus it wasn't good to begin with.

I've never been able to really do real pushups. Try the ones on your knees. At 6 weeks I've started working out with "30 day shred" and haven't had any pain in the chest area. Legs just get really sore. I did the program last fall and lost 3 inches on the waist/hips. I can send it to you if you want it.

[anibioman]

Alexthecat, I used to not be able to do push ups at all either but I worked out a bunch. So now I can do a few sets of ten with ok form if I push myself. I've been pretty good losing weight riding a bike everywhere and rowing on a machine but thanks for the offer.

[Ethedon]

I been working out for over 8 months now and made some serious muscle gains but I'm afraid I'm going to lose it all after top surgery which is 3 weeks away.

[anibioman]

I worked out really hard before surgery I lost a lot of gains after surgery but when I started working out again they came back really quickly now I'm in pretty much the same shape as before surgery and I'm two and a half months post op. I've only been working out for two or three weeks now. Also A general suggestion try wearing a compression shirt after surgery it helps keep your scars flat

[supremecatoverlord]

I been working out for over 8 months now and made some serious muscle gains but I'm afraid I'm going to lose it all after top surgery which is 3 weeks away.

If you calculate all your macros and eat a healthy high protein diet, more than likely, you won't. I had top surgery and I actually broke through my plateau and lost little (if any) of my gains beforehand. I'm way past way I was at this point. That was nearly a year and a half ago.

[Ethedon]

If you calculate all your macros and eat a healthy high protein diet, more than likely, you won't. I had top surgery and I actually broke through my plateau and lost little (if any) of my gains beforehand. I'm way past way I was at this point. That was nearly a year and a half ago.

Thanks I really appreciate the advice. Surgery is 8 days away!!

[Polo]

If you calculate all your macros and eat a healthy high protein diet, more than likely, you won't. I had top surgery and I actually broke through my plateau and lost little (if any) of my gains beforehand. I'm way past way I was at this point. That was nearly a year and a half ago.

I'd like to second Supremecatoverlord.  I'm pre-op but a lifelong athlete/bodybuilder and currently in a graduate program in Nutrition and when I saw your (Ethedon's) post my internal voice shouted "EAT A HIGH PROTEIN DIET" (with a decent amount of fruits and vegetables of course)

Good luck, man!