2 weeks post op - exercise?

[rbn01]

Hello all,

2 weeks post op today! Going to hop back on the stationary bike. Not vigorously but I want to get the blood flowing a bit - wise or should I avoid? Per my surgeon, mild cardio is OK at this point. I have been walking moderately almost daily.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

I generally restrict exercise for one month post op.  Reason?  Any exercise can raise your blood pressure which in turn can result in some bleeding.  It can also result in continued swelling.  I tend to be conservative -- other surgeons may have a different point of view.

Dr Jacobs

[Dr. Schuster]

Listen to your surgeon.

[Litlriki]

You should always address anything you do with the surgeon since he or she knows exactly what was done. I deal with many fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders in my practice, and knowing this community, I've tailored what I do to them. As a result, I allow my patients to do cardio one week after surgery and advance that as they're comfortable, always wearing their compression.  After two weeks, I allow for resistance exercise except direct chest exercises, and initially, they're instructed to avoid overhead exercises.  They can add in overhead by 3 weeks and add in chest at 4 weeks. At all points, they are advised to listen to their bodies and NOT do the things that don't feel good.  

This may be an aggressive approach, but this group of patients can be an extra challenge, since they often have their own ideas about physiology, healing, exercise and so on.  If I were to tell them they couldn't work out for 4 to 6 weeks, at least a few of them would be in the gym after a couple days, convinced that they knew better and that their bodies are different. So I'm very specific with my recommendations, and taking this approach, I've had NO issues with delayed bleeding or fluid collections.  

Again, however, you should consult your surgeon before advancing your activity.