I'm asking here to put the comments from miscellaneous threads, in one place.
It's very interesting to read about pre-op exercise (other thread), though it seems kind of sad to work at painstakingly building up toned muscle mass which will be lost soon after in the inactive months after surgery. Leansleft already asked about this too, from a different angle (so to speak?)
Meanwhile, "everyone says" walking is THE P.T. recommended after surgery - "walking, walking, lots of walking", to quote one surgeon's office. And besides using reachers, ideally, one squats (or bends from the waist), to retrieve dropped objects. (I hope quad strengthening will be allowed FAIRLY soon, too, since it would stabilize those hard-working knees). "Happydeana" says hers are giving her trouble now, almost a year out from surgery.
Only walking seems to be officially sanctioned in the post op period and I'm not sure WHEN even this is permitted. Different answers seem to be forthcoming (according to -- ? )
I'm hoping for more clarity - here, it's not a safety issue, but just steeling myself to know what's ahead. What walking were you told to do - when, where and how much? Also what you've heard others recommended to do, if different OR the same! I assume treadmills or indoor tracks are OK, since (except for Florida or So CAL) the outdoors is only reliable in the summer. Not much is more dangerous than wet leaves and snow/ice!
And what's the purpose of the walking "they"'re pushing for? Is it to keep us from becoming debilitated, does it somehow aid fusion (or what)?
I know running or jogging is out at first - maybe indefinitely. It's jarring when we land. This means if we want any significant calorie burn , we need to do more quantitatively. But I guess if we can't do anything quickly, there's no way to have a cardio work-out. (Therefore, our CV strength must take a hit after surgery too - if we've built it up in advance).
Maybe speed-walkers could work up a sweat. (Some used to pass me on the track). But I couldn't manage that on a treadmill, even if my legs weren't so short!
My treadmill DOES have an incline setting. If I could use that, even walking, I'd have a workout. I hope it's allowed, but I'll bet it's not. A slope must put our spines under a different kind of stress. I do dread the thought of hours of mindless treadmill walking, tho'. (Images of hamsters on a wheel come to mind ) OTOH maybe I could read at the same time!
It sounds as if real fitness - both cardio and toning - will be indefinitely stalemated by this huge operation, which will also leave us with limited options to regain it. Life is all a matter of trade-offs, but it's important to know what they are in advance. I remember one poster commenting if he'd known what he does now (about these limits), he's not sure he would have had surgery. He was into fitness, like me.
I still don't know what I'm going to decide, but I DO want to go into with eyes wide open. If you could add your fusion length and the age you're referencing, it would be much appreciated! Many thanks!
It's very interesting to read about pre-op exercise (other thread), though it seems kind of sad to work at painstakingly building up toned muscle mass which will be lost soon after in the inactive months after surgery. Leansleft already asked about this too, from a different angle (so to speak?)
Meanwhile, "everyone says" walking is THE P.T. recommended after surgery - "walking, walking, lots of walking", to quote one surgeon's office. And besides using reachers, ideally, one squats (or bends from the waist), to retrieve dropped objects. (I hope quad strengthening will be allowed FAIRLY soon, too, since it would stabilize those hard-working knees). "Happydeana" says hers are giving her trouble now, almost a year out from surgery.
Only walking seems to be officially sanctioned in the post op period and I'm not sure WHEN even this is permitted. Different answers seem to be forthcoming (according to -- ? )
I'm hoping for more clarity - here, it's not a safety issue, but just steeling myself to know what's ahead. What walking were you told to do - when, where and how much? Also what you've heard others recommended to do, if different OR the same! I assume treadmills or indoor tracks are OK, since (except for Florida or So CAL) the outdoors is only reliable in the summer. Not much is more dangerous than wet leaves and snow/ice!
And what's the purpose of the walking "they"'re pushing for? Is it to keep us from becoming debilitated, does it somehow aid fusion (or what)?
I know running or jogging is out at first - maybe indefinitely. It's jarring when we land. This means if we want any significant calorie burn , we need to do more quantitatively. But I guess if we can't do anything quickly, there's no way to have a cardio work-out. (Therefore, our CV strength must take a hit after surgery too - if we've built it up in advance).
Maybe speed-walkers could work up a sweat. (Some used to pass me on the track). But I couldn't manage that on a treadmill, even if my legs weren't so short!
My treadmill DOES have an incline setting. If I could use that, even walking, I'd have a workout. I hope it's allowed, but I'll bet it's not. A slope must put our spines under a different kind of stress. I do dread the thought of hours of mindless treadmill walking, tho'. (Images of hamsters on a wheel come to mind ) OTOH maybe I could read at the same time!
It sounds as if real fitness - both cardio and toning - will be indefinitely stalemated by this huge operation, which will also leave us with limited options to regain it. Life is all a matter of trade-offs, but it's important to know what they are in advance. I remember one poster commenting if he'd known what he does now (about these limits), he's not sure he would have had surgery. He was into fitness, like me.
I still don't know what I'm going to decide, but I DO want to go into with eyes wide open. If you could add your fusion length and the age you're referencing, it would be much appreciated! Many thanks!
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