Things are generally thoroughly healed at 8 weeks. It’s worth asking your surgeon about any activity restrictions, but I didn’t have any at that point. I started off gently and proceeded slowly, but that’s always prudent after a period of down time. Weight lifting limits are *very* contentious, and there are conflicting suggestions (or edicts!) from experts as well as novices. I suggest searching for some of those past threads here (terms like “weight restriction” may be fruitful, and Jan Dollar has summarized the informed guidance a few times), and I sincerely hope we don’t try to relitigate it on this thread. As a general rule I’m very wary of anything that hurts, and that helps me get plenty of good exercise without injuring myself.

Hi Mars,

Some posters here are extremely cautious about exercise.  I discussed my workouts with my surgeon,  who agreed that I should be able to return to my fitness activities.  I suggest you consult with your surgeon. 

I was back to light lifting pretty soon after surgery, staying within my post-surgical weight restrictions.    I would suggest you start very easy and slowly increase.  I think I started at about 1/3 of my pre-surgical weights,  and did extra repetitions.  Then I slowly changed back to a regular lifting pattern over 6 months.

I was running with a month after surgery.  My surgeon said I could do whatever felt fine.   You can begin with a mix of jogging and walking.  Exercise makes me need to empty my j pouch.  Until you work out your own best routine you may want to stay quite close to a bathroom.  For me I find AM cardio before eating breakfast works out best. 

I also started back with my core (abdominal) work.  Start with stretching, gentle crunches, and planks from the knees.  It took a while for me to get back to full extension ab wheel rollouts,  but I worked my way up to it slowly.   I think my abdomen is now as strong as before surgery.  I know some people fear herniation,  but after a year I forgot to keep worrying.

I was not fully healed after 8 weeks, I was a slow healer. I would just say take it easy to be honest. Lifting no more than 25 pounds. And bike riding, keep it under 30 minutes. Take it easy.

Generally for most folks, 8 weeks is enough time to resume presurgical activities. It is largely dependent upon your presurgical strength and fitness, and how much disruption there was in your abdominal wall. Plus, everyone heals at their own rate. Best thing is to ask your surgeon at a follow up appointment or send an email inquiry.

Jan

I wear one of these at work as it has heavy lifting .they are cheap(cost about $8 us) and heat up with your body and have magnets.seems to be alot of gym people with jpouches.

Hey Mars,

I've been lifting with a pouch for over 35 years.

First, take it slowly, it's not going anywhere (let's hope).

And, think through what specific exercises you want to do and how you should do each of them.

I've found that lunges, squats, deadlifts ... more leg and torso oriented movements are inherently more stressful on abdominal walls (my opinion here only, no science!).  So if you do those, def wear a belt, go for reps over weight and start slowly.

Chest, shoulders, back, arms ... a little less stress on our mid-section, especially if you can do some of these seated or supine.  Found not much beats good old push-ups and pull-ups too.

Lastly, I do lots of ab work ... again no science here, but I think a very strong core helps provide critical stability for lifting or just life in general.  Lots of planks and the ab roller, slow crunches, leg lifts etc.

Luck,
Michael

@Michael posted:

Hey Mars,

I've been lifting with a pouch for over 35 years.

First, take it slowly, it's not going anywhere (let's hope).

And, think through what specific exercises you want to do and how you should do each of them.

I've found that lunges, squats, deadlifts ... more leg and torso oriented movements are inherently more stressful on abdominal walls (my opinion here only, no science!).  So if you do those, def wear a belt, go for reps over weight and start slowly.

Chest, shoulders, back, arms ... a little less stress on our mid-section, especially if you can do some of these seated or supine.  Found not much beats good old push-ups and pull-ups too.

Lastly, I do lots of ab work ... again no science here, but I think a very strong core helps provide critical stability for lifting or just life in general.  Lots of planks and the ab roller, slow crunches, leg lifts etc.

Luck,
Michael

Have you gotten any injuries with your weightlifting???

No injuries from lifting weights.

Injuries from climbing, softball and generally trying to keep up with girls, though!

@Michael posted:

No injuries from lifting weights.

Injuries from climbing, softball and generally trying to keep up with girls, though!

Really happy to hear that, just be careful hon. Dr. Bo Shen recommends nothing over 25 pounds so just be careful