Losing wt. after major abdominal surgery...Advice?

Smokey19

I just got home from the hospital from having major hernia repair surgery. My incision is from my sternum to my belly button. How am I going to work out and exercise till I heal in about 5 more weeks. I don't want to lose the gains that I have made in the past year, but I am afraid that I will become so weak that I will have to start all over again in building up my muscles. Any advice?

MissSusieQ

ask your surgeon. especially since you had a big hernia.

you should not take heed of any other medical advice given to you in an internet forum.

Smokey19

You are right. I had several hernias repaired and have an 8" x 6" mesh in place to secure them. I will see my surgeon Wednesday and ask him.

hanniejong

You know Kim, I would imagine that you would be able to just walk, walking is the best exercise ever and it should not do you any harm, just don't over do it, start small and build up!!!

CINDYRN33

Wow first let me say that your progress is amazing! I agree with both of the previous posts ask your DR and start slow and dont over do it. You obvious have tremendous will power and strength, that will serve you well in the upcoming weeks. Good luck to you.

Qskim

I know it's not exactly the same but I was worried about a drop in fitness after my caesar. I had been going to a PT before surgery. She would have nothing to do with me until the doctor gave the all clear and rightly so...6 weeks. I was so glad that I had my PT (2/wk). I could c how she worked around that muscle. I had lost some form but within about 3 months of returning to her I was seeing a gradual return to at first pre surgery form. It's now 8 months and I am back to pre pregnancy form (worked out during then too but not as intense)...however...there are still exercises she won't let me do for as long as I used to. She told me it can take around two years for muscle to fully recover from surgery. I couldn't have done it on my own tho without her knowledge. Good luck, eat well for health n energy til you can return to it. I wouldn't even walk unless your doctor says it's ok!!

momof3and3

I would suspect that there will be no lifiting anything heavier than 5 lbs for at least 6 weeks, and to take it easy during that time period.

Just let your body rest and heal properly, this time offf won't derail you.

Take care! ANd Listen to whatever your dr tells you!

bakz4

I feel your 'pain'. I had 5 major abdominal surgeries in a 15-month time period, ultimately ending in hernia repair in my lower abdoman (from the belly button to the pelvic area). This was 4 years ago. While you may feel fine on the outside and ready to go, your body needs to heal on the inside...where you can't see and don't necessarily feel. Walking is always a good start to getting back to your routine. Regardless, you must follow your doctor's advice. They (and you) know your body better than anyone here.

kgb6days

While you should talk to your surgeon and follow that advise only, I do want to encourage you. My husband had a huge incisional hernia (sternum to pubis) repaired with mesh. He had worked up to running 3 - 5 miles 2x/week, with a long run on the weekend. He was very worried about loosing this progress. Well, he was able to start walking slowly after two weeks, and when he could start running again he was able to progress amazingly and is now doing better than before. I tell you all this so you will know that while you will not start back immediately were you WERE - you will soon get back to that point and pass it. Just follow your MD's advice.

Smokey19

I thank you all for your advice and I will talk to my surgeon on Wednesday. Maybe physical therapy will help me work around my abdominal muscles for a while. I have had 6 major abdominal and sternal incicions in 4 yrs. so I know that it will be a while before I get my strength back and heal properly. I will give it time and try to worry about healing right now. You have all been helpful and I know more than I did and know what to ask my surgeon. Thanks again.