Exercise questions

Hello Everyone...Just wondering how exercising is going for 4 months or longer post op. I really want to know if you are able to do sit ups with no problem!!! I am just under 3 months post op and everyting is going fine but this swelly belly drives me nuts!

Also...Do the sit ups actually make a difference?

hi Pinky2000 am going into four months my doctor haven't release me yet for exercise as yet my entire body is feeling tried up and achy i try stretching but not working my joint are all seizing up and painful i wish there was something i can do am 46 in two week i feel 80 i use to be very active i wish it was only my swelly belly am thinking diet pills.

Make sure your Dr. has released you for exercise. As a fitness professional my best advice is to hire a trainer to set you up on an exercise regimen that includes, cardio,strength and flexibility exercise. Abdominal and core work are very important and does work but you should know that spot reducing does not work.
I was lucky(and in great shape to begin with) and cleared for exercise after 2 weeks post op. The core work is a challenge for me to this day. Good luck

You should introduce exercise for flexibility and cardio first and slowly add isolated exercises. Abdominal should be last. Start with lengthening exercises first they will be safer. Keep in mind if you have swelly belly abdominal/core exercises will probably make it more pronounced. Don't force the healing, it will lengthen the duration of swelly belly in the end.
Also remember do not add multiple exercises at one time. If you have pain after you will not know what caused it. Same with increasing time and intensity. Do one thing at a time so you know what your response will be. It might be hard to be patient but in the end it is a quicker way to returning to a program.

I meant to mention there is an article on this site with exercise suggestions. Remember wait for surgical clearance even if your feeling good.

I was given the ok to start abdominal workouts and have started doing crunches. Even doing 20 - 30 crunches, weak ones at that, my swelly belly is usually a little bit larger that day. But, I'm not having any pain, discomfort or muscle fatigue during or afterward. And, I make sure to ice that day. Since my ovaries are still napping (please wake up soon), I'm gaining muscle strength at a snails pace. So, I don't really expect to see any results anytime soon. But, once my swelly belly is gone, I plan to have rockin' abs!

Just a question Hope-why add abdominal exercises last? A strong core and back is necassary for any aerobic/flexibility program-they go hand in hand. I was doing core/ab strengthening as soon as the Dr. cleared me. I started with with easier exercises (ie pelvic tilts/bridges) and progressed to harder exercises (planks/side planks). Just curious if you have the science to back up those thoughts. Lord knows I would've never been able to cycle without a strong core first.

I was released back to all exercise at 6 weeks and came home and used the elliptical that day and was back in the gym the next day. I really worried that I'd feel some pain or pulling in my abs, but not even a tiny bit - yay!! I think getting back to exercising is the one thing that has made me feel more alert and healthy. I'd been working out regularly (cardio and strength training) for years before the surgery though. If I were just starting an exercise program, I agree about hiring a personal trainer.

Re: sit-ups. From everything I've read, the old-fashioned sit-ups aren't very productive. The crunch or bicycle move is best, as is the plank IMO.

There is a major difference between resuming a long standing exercise regimen that is based on a knowledge of exercise vs. wanting to offset the results of surgery and weeks/months of being sedentary. Depending upon different factors including type of surgery, point of recovery, how strong your abdominal muscles were preop and if you worked out preop. If you do not have a previous exercise program and strong abdominal muscles starting an exercise program post op should not include abdominal the first time out. Also from the point of starting slow and adding individual items to assess response giving your body a chance to adjust and getting into the swing of things before doing abs. It is safer for the surgical site as well as a possible tight back or leg muscles
Jpgurl if you can perform side planks soon post op without pain it means that you have a strong trunk as well as pelvic and shoulder girdle. Many more muscles are involved than just those isolated with a typical sit up movement. Not everyone goes into surgery with that level of strength. My comment was broad and not necessary intended for all.
In short, so many factors come into play when discussing exercise post op. (especially on the computer), it is always better to err on the side of caution. As mentioned seeking the guidance of a fitness/healthcare professional that is knowledgeable about post op concerns to help safely resume exercise.