Abdominal surgery

thenextstep
thenextstep Posts: 54
in Fitness and Exercise
Okay so I've been working really hard at losing this weight which is great but on the 10th of July I will be having abdominal surgery( laparoscopically). So basically my question is how to I keep the weight off if I'm not able to do as much during my recovery? I'm going to walk as much as I possibly can but what else can I do. Should I drop my calorie in take(currently 1200)? Should I lift my three pound weights? I can't gain this weight back or ill be crushed. Please help me maintain it! ????

Replies

  • michellelhartwig
    michellelhartwig Posts: 486 Member
    If I am understanding you, you won't be able to exercise for a while? Go into your settings--update diet/fitness profile--and change it to maintain your weight with 0 exercise days per week. Once you get the OK from your MD, change it back!

    Good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • jbruced
    jbruced Posts: 210 Member
    You need to ask the surgeon about this. Laproscopic surgeries are much less traumatic than the traditional laparotomy method. You may not be out of action for very long. Don't be afraid to ask, they are obligated to answer your questions regarding the surgery and the recovery.
  • StarChanger
    StarChanger Posts: 605 Member
    Laparoscopic surgery makes teeny, tiny little incisions in your skin and muscles of your abdominal wall. You will be up and running again (assuming you are young and healthy now, and have no complications) in less than a week. You'll feel like you've done 1000 crunches for a few days, but you'll be able to go walking next week. Your doctor will likely restrict LIFTING for several weeks to prevent hernia formation, but there is no reason (or excuse) for you do gain weight simply because of your surgery.

    Do bear in mind that for a 1-2 hour laparoscopic procedure, you will receive 4+ liters of IV fluids. This will be SEVERAL pounds of water weight you will have on board for several days. You will also retain water at the site of the incisions, which can stay for several weeks! I suggest you stay OFF the scale, and stay ON your diet for at least 2 weeks after your surgery, so as to not freak yourself out.
  • jenifr818
    jenifr818 Posts: 805 Member
    Okay so I've been working really hard at losing this weight which is great but on the 10th of July I will be having abdominal surgery( laparoscopically). So basically my question is how to I keep the weight off if I'm not able to do as much during my recovery? I'm going to walk as much as I possibly can but what else can I do. Should I drop my calorie in take(currently 1200)? Should I lift my three pound weights? I can't gain this weight back or ill be crushed. Please help me maintain it! ????

    Don't push yourself too hard is the number one advice I can give you. Eat at maintenance, which for you will probably be about 1700 if you have your weight loss set at 1200. If you gain a few pounds, it's not the end of the world. It's much better to be waiting until you're at 80-100% strength than to risk injury, because injury will keep you sidelined for longer and more likely to gain weight since you won't be able to exercise at all. I had a lap-appendectomy in February, and I wasn't able to do any form of exercise until April due to secondary infections from trying to go back to work too soon. Don't make that mistake. It sucks.
  • thenextstep
    thenextstep Posts: 54
    I just really truly don't want to back track. Ill ask the doctor too, I just normally don't have enough time or memery to ask the doctors all the questions I want. This is my four surgery but I was never trying to loss weight before. Plus I've always had complications so I've never been worried about asking. Upping my calories is kinda unnerving, isn't that going to make me gain weight. There is also a chance they may not be able to do it laperscopically and if that's that case I'd be out for a couples months. Is it possible to maintain for that long without an abundance of exercise? Sorry I'm just freaking out abut as well I just found out today my surgery date.
  • Pmagnanifit
    Pmagnanifit Posts: 665 Member
    Tell. Your doctor that exercise and weight loss are important to you ask them when to return to exercise how long what type - they
  • appygirl84
    appygirl84 Posts: 105 Member
    I agree to set your info to maintenance with 0 work outs. Maybe until you can work out, completely cut out naughty treats, sub in low cal veggies where you can.
    It is better to take it easy than push yourself. My sister went back to work a few days after a laproscopic surgery, and lifted things... and hurt for months. Take it slow and heal before you push yourself. You also know how your body responds to a lack of exercise, so adjust from there!
  • RAGGEDYANN1970
    RAGGEDYANN1970 Posts: 115 Member
    i just had a total hysterectomy in january and i couldn't work-out or basically do anything for 12 weeks. i ate WAY fewer calories and was able to maintain my weight. sadly, i couldn't lose during that time, but at least i didn't gain! good luck :smile:
  • ncarpenter2
    ncarpenter2 Posts: 6
    I just had abdominal surgery three weeks ago tomorrow. Unfortunately, not laparoscopic. I've been eating to maintain and actually lost a pound since surgery. I can't run for at least two months and even then I am not to do any ab work. It's a bummer because I box, play softball and soccer during the summer and I run five times a week! But...the risk is getting a hernia in which case they would have to operate again. I would rather gain a few pounds and have fun taking it off once I'm fully recovered! I have a toddler and it's been so hard not to pick him up, play with him etc. I don't want to have to go through it all again. Good luck to you.

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