Curves or Exercise In General

Hey there, everyone! My TAH is scheduled for December 6th ... but that's okay. After dealing with abdominal pain for the past two years, we had to do something. I'm scared ... but ... you know, it's better than the alternative of doing nothing.

I'm very, very overweight but I joined Curves about a month ago ... before I knew this was coming. When I told the doctor this, he said, "Great! Keep going ... work hard ... because the stronger those belly muscles are, the better you'll do after surgery."

Well, I only have five weeks until the surgery. I'm not sure that I can accomplish much in that timeframe ... but I'm going to try. I'll keep going and keep working at getting fit ... I guess anything is better than nothing?

In any case ... he's told me I'll be off work six weeks. So my question is ... how long before you felt good enough to exercise again? If any of you go to Curves, you know some of those machines are pretty hard on the stomach ... will six weeks be long enough to heal those muscles?

I'll appreciate any suggestions you guys have to offer!
Hugs!

Number 1: keep going on the exercise at Curves. The doc is right -- you WILL appreciate "in shape" muscles afterwards. I belong to Curves and did as much tummy tightening as I could until the doc stopped me from exercise about a week before surgery. It helps a lot!

Number 2: it will be at least 6-10 weeks before you can feel like doing those machines again, and your doc has to give permission for you to go back. Go to Curves and tell them you are having the surgery; they will put your membership on hold, but will require a doc's note for you to come back. This is so you don't overdo the exercise too soon.

Number 3. Start walking as soon as you can after surgery. Don't push it, but just walk every day, a little more as you can. this is wonderful exercise and helps get the muscles back in shape after surgery.

Good luck from the other side!

Keep doing your excerises as the doctor said it will help with recovery.
Good luck

"Number 1: keep going on the exercise at Curves. The doc is right -- you WILL appreciate "in shape" muscles afterwards. I belong to Curves and did as much tummy tightening as I could until the doc stopped me from exercise about a week before surgery. It helps a lot!

Number 2: it will be at least 6-10 weeks before you can feel like doing those machines again, and your doc has to give permission for you to go back. Go to Curves and tell them you are having the surgery; they will put your membership on hold, but will require a doc's note for you to come back. This is so you don't overdo the exercise too soon.

Number 3. Start walking as soon as you can after surgery. Don't push it, but just walk every day, a little more as you can. this is wonderful exercise and helps get the muscles back in shape after surgery."

I am Curves girl, I started going back in February and I credit them partially for me being able to recover as well as I have. When the nurses told me to use my legs and arms to pull myself up, I was able to because of the muscles I had built up from working out. I also, don't have the swelly belly, like alot of people talk about and I credit Curves for it. I am now almost 7 weeks post-op and I think I am going to wait until about 10 weeks post-op to start back and I'm going to take it slow, but I will let you know how it goes. Good luck to you.

Oh, yes! Please let me know how you're doing as time goes on. Today is my first weigh-in/measurement. I don't know that I feel much skinnier ... but I can tell the muscles in my arms are much stronger ... and my stomach feels smaller ... pants bigger.

I've got five weeks ... and I guess I'll just keep plugging at it. Hope you can get back to Curves soon!

at my 6 week check, the consultant told me i could go back to the gym "so long as you don't try to beat any personal bests" Don't think anyone would have been impressed anyway! But I waited till 3 months, and just go at my own pace. I still get aches when I'm a bit over zealous, but it takes my mind off everything for a while. Everyone is different!! Do what feels right for you. Before surgery i did a search and found a site, of a gynaecologist. She writes pre op info for her patients. She advocates swimming as early as 2 weeks! and evrything else asap. While it certainly wasn't for me, it's good to know some people out there get back to normal mega fast.

Did your doctor say why you had to stop your tummy exercises a week before surgery? I'm getting that close and I don't want to be doing something I shouldn't. Thanks in advance for your replies.