exercising pre-op

What if anything should I be doing exercise wise in the 6 weeks before my surgery. I am trying to walk but should I be doing anything to strengthen my abdominal muscles? I will have a vertical incision and am not sure how the healing will be or if excercising will make recovery easier.

Your thoughts are appreciated!

Personally, I'm doing "all I can" to possibly make this go smoother for me. I want to heal properly in the first place, and I believe that a stronger body is always a benefit when having surgery. I am especially strengthening my pelvic floor muscles. I've been doing excercise for almost two years now. Working with weights also builds bone density, which women lose as they get older.It's never too late to start.

I've been jazzercising for over 1 year and dr said that will help in recovery time. I also lost weight.

I would think any type of exercise would be good. I won't be able to exercise for 8 weeks after surgery.

I did some very intense working out prior to my surgery to help with the anxiety and also to speed my recovery. It worked on both counts! I had no bleeding or pain after day 2 post-op. No swelly belly. I was so strong and flexible that movement was easy. I'm now 4 weeks post-op and I'm walking almost an hour every day. Do lots of stretches, cardio, weights, and crunches while you can - it's worth it!
Hugs,
Pearl

Hi,

I work out pretty intensely. I do 45 minutes of aerobics daily and weight training daily also. I love David Kursch New York Body video. Most amazing video I ever worked out to and way not boring ( that's a problem I have). Focuses a lot on the core which will help you a lot.

My recovery was good. I had a vaginal hysterectomy, with a horiztonal inscision for a bladder suspension. I also had vaginal wall repair and lots of endometriosis cleaned out. Don't get me wrong, I was pretty sore that first week.

By week two, I was feeling good and went out to a bunch of things. That made me a little sore so I had to slow down a bit. Even though you feel great, your insides are healing and scarring to hold everything in place. You must be patient.

I'm four weeks today and feel great. After reading all of the post-hyster comments, I'm feeling pretty lucky.
Swelly belly only there for the first week. Fit into my clothes just fine. No vaginal draining of any kind.

I really think what you put in your body and exercise makes a huge difference. If you want to eat the healthiest you ever have, get The Zone by BArry Sears. You will feel amazing after eating the way he reccommends.

I also believe a positive attitude plays a much bigger role than we think.
Good Luck!
Best Wishes!