exercise is too painful

[Shannie]

Three years ago I had major abdominal surgery. I have been on hrt ever since (strike one for weight control!) And, as a result of the surgery I've very bad adhesions. These adhesions make it very painful to do any form of exercise, gentle walking results in cramps for hours, anything more than gentle can land me in bed for days. Oddly enough I find that gently exercising on an indoor bicycle is ok, as long as it's not for more than about 15minutes. I've managed 20lbs this way but I just know if I could do more I could lose more, and Im sure that the gentle cycling will not help weight loss after a while as my body will get used to it. I can't hang clothes on the line because stretching is painful, I can't sweep the floor or vaccum because again it's too sore afterwards. I've spoken to my gp and he has given me two options, one is more surgery which I don't want and the second is pain management. Anyone out there that can help me???...I'd love nothing more than to join a gym or go swimming but Im afraid I'll just end up in more pain than I live with daily. Im willing to do the eating plan, but I need the exercise too, if for no other reason than to tone up!
Apologies for the long post.

[Bugaboo]

Have you looked into a water class? A lot of seniors take them because they're more gentle than water aerobics and not as hard as lap swimming. I've never taken one as I prefer lap swimming but I thought I'd just throw that idea out there. I hope you find something you can do without causing pain. I live with daily pain so I feel for you, I really do. :hug

[ttdriver]

I'm so sorry for what you're going through. :hug

I too have had lots of surgeries that left me with adhesions and I understand the pain you are currently experiencing. If you could find a way to do low-impact exercises (swimming is an excellent option) or even low-impact aerobics in a chair?? Check into some good videos/DVDs for people with limited range of motion .. how about some dumbbells so you could tone up the upper body? Can you walk without much pain? I would suggest trying that on a limited basis and see how you do.

Whatever you can do, do it. Any exercise is better than none at all!

Hang in there!

Betty

[2big4mysize]

you know you could do that 15 min cycling workout 4 times a day for your exerice and do some sitting upperbody strenght training. Have you looked at a laproscopic surgery with a laser for your adhesions?

[Shannie]

Thanks so much for all the hints and tips guys.
Just finding the forum has done lots for my resolve, which I have to admit was starting to slip a little.
I do love swimming, but Im not quite ready to be seen "in public" in a swimsuit just yet, it is very much on the menu (pardon the pun) for later on tho. Im definately going to up the biking to four times a day...why I didn't think of that I don't know! :smackhead As for the weight-training and walking, both do-able but only just, because I get sore very easily. However, all is not lost, just reading some of the threads on here and having read your replies earlier on I got on the phone to a gym not too far from me, spoke to an instructor and he reckons there's "lots he can do for me" :joy So Im in to see him early next week. Having my cholesterol rechecked next week too so lots to look forward to. And it's all down to this forum. Looks like I found you just in time. THANKS!!
As to the keyhole surgery, I wish, but it's not possible for me, never mind tho, I reckon if i can build a little muscle and lose a lot of fat round the spot I may be ok, it's just finding a way of doing it thats not too sore.
Again thanks guys...really appreciate the encouragement, if I can ever be a shoulder please don't hesitate
Shan

[ttdriver]

:hug Shannie! :hug

Just do what you can, sweetie!

Betty