Down Time - ThinnerTimes

iamhoss · 05-28-2007, 08:04 PM

Just curious..... how long before you guys could go home from the hospital, go back to work, resume activities with young children (particularly coaching team sports), heavy yard work, boating/fishing, heavy walking (I quail hunt and guide), housework, etc. Any comments on any of the above or similar activities would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

LyndasRoom · 05-28-2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamhoss

Just curious..... how long before you guys could go home from the hospital, go back to work, resume activities with young children (particularly coaching team sports), heavy yard work, boating/fishing, heavy walking (I quail hunt and guide), housework, etc. Any comments on any of the above or similar activities would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

I went back to work at 2 weeks, but I don't think most doctors want you to do any heavy lifting or work until 6 weeks, at least, depending on the type of procedure you have, and how you're healing. Your body will let you know...but do what your doctor says, you don't want to have problems with hernias or anything because you tried to move too fast.

mssg13marinewife · 05-28-2007, 09:39 PM

I went back to work after 4 weeks, but I have a sit on my ass job....um wasnt allowed to "work out" lightly until after 6 weeks, but I to had Open RNY, so it depends. You do what you body can handle, it WILL tell you.

CeeCee · 05-29-2007, 11:11 AM

I had open RNY, was out for 5 weeks (desk job). Exercise was good right away, but no lifting over 20 lbs for the first few weeks. Had my 3 month follow up a week ago, I'm cleared for whatever I can tolerate.

fitbefore40 · 05-29-2007, 01:15 PM

I was the fat chick that was in really good shape - I worked out 3-4 times a week prior to surgery. I was out from my job for 2 weeks and back to working out at 4 weeks - but no abdominal work for 6 weeks. Around day 10 or so, I felt great - I had an open RYN. Eating was a challenge - but 2 weeks out I went to lunch with friends as normal - I only ate soup at that time - but I did fine. I did do short day hikes around 3 weeks out. I didn't carry anything. And for the kids - I didn't pick up my toddler until 6 weeks out, but I certainly played with her on the ground after a couple of weeks!

LisaBoston · 05-29-2007, 03:44 PM

Depends if you are having open or lap. I had open, a stricture at 6 weeks, which set me back some. I was doing full walks and activity at 7 weeks out. The abdom. muscles took a while longer and I was guarding it a little as I didn't was a hernia.

Main thing is that you doctor can tell you when you are clear to resume normal activities.

Gina in NY · 05-29-2007, 04:02 PM

I started walking on the treadmill VERY SLOWLY on post-op day four, but didn't lift anything till week 6 and no ab work until week 10. I felt a pull when I lifted my daughter until about 8 weeks out - we sure I broke something, but it was muscular.

As your surgeon!

iamhoss · 06-11-2007, 01:24 PM

Anyone that had lap care to reply? I'm trying to get things together. Going in tomorrow for last pre-op visit and scheduling.

Baron Patrick · 06-11-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamhoss

Anyone that had lap care to reply? I'm trying to get things together. Going in tomorrow for last pre-op visit and scheduling.

I had lap on 5/29, and today is my first day back at work (desk job). I was out for two weeks. As others have said, each person is different. Me, I was bouncing around on the bed at the hospital the day after surgery (I was ready to go home then!) Dr. told me no heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks as well. At my 1 week follow-up the dr. put me on soft foods. Will be like this for the next 1 1/2 months.

RNY4me · 06-11-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamhoss

Anyone that had lap care to reply? I'm trying to get things together. Going in tomorrow for last pre-op visit and scheduling.

I had the lap RNY and can tell you this: I felt good enough to go back to a desk job at 2-3 weeks, but my surgeon advocates taking the full 6 weeks if you possibly can. He told me it would be a full-time job monitoring my fluid and protein intake. He was right! If I'd gone back sooner, I am positive I'd have gotten wrapped up in work, meetings, on the phone etc. and not concentrated on my intake. I was lucky to have the time. But it is possible at 2-3 weeks if necessary. I was limited to lifting no more than 10 pounds for the first 6 weeks. Then 20 pounds til 3 months post-op. I started walking on post-op day 1 and slowly increased every day. At 4 weeks I started water exercises and have continued those, adding more weights and resistance as I go along. My experience was that at 3 months, I felt pretty much back to normal as far as activity, strength and endurance. I feel my body was pretty typical. Some were quicker to reach 'normal' and some slower. It depends upon your doctor's orders, don't do anything until it's cleared. You can do some serious internal damage if you don't follow orders. Your mind will be way ahead of your body, just mind your body and your doctor! Best wishes for a successful surgery and a speedy and complete recovery!