Pre-surgery excercises?

[DR]

Not sure if this is the right part of the forum to ask this question - mods feel free to relocate if necessary!

I'm leaning towards surgery right now and wondering if any "posties" have suggestions for pre-surgical exercises that might help speed up my recovery if/when I go in for surgery.  I will be doing more cardio and some free weights over the next few months, but didn't know if there are any exercises that help develop better balance.

[OTO]

Any exercise pre-surgery is good.  The more active you are the better you'll feel.    Strengthening the core will help balance.   Some folks start yoga or tai-chi post-surgery for the balance aspects.   Pre-surgery would be beneficial too. 

I was a couch-potato pre-surgery.  Post-surgery, I walked about 2 miles - 3 times a week for the 8 weeks I was recovering.   I have since gone back to being a couch-potato, and I find myself a little dizzy at times....   I guess it's time to buy walking shoes and get off the couch...   

[leapyrtwins]

Although I don't think this is the kind of exercise you had in mind, my neurotologist gave me vestibular exercises to do prior to my surgery.

I did them post op too and they helped me immensely.  I feel they were instrumental in helping me regain my balance and my eye coordination.

If you'd like I can snail mail or email you a copy of the exercises I was given - just PM me with either your mailing or email address.

Jan

[nteeman]

I told my surgeon that I exercised everyday and asked a similar question as yours. He advised me to keep exercising up until the day before surgery and I did. I had a quick recovery from surgery without complications and was able to resume my workout schedule about 3 weeks after surgery.

Neal

[epc1970]

As others have said-the more excercise you do prior to surgery the healthier and stronger your body will be after surgery. I was and am an avid yoga practioner and I am conviced that my yoga practice helped me with the wobbliness I had post up. I think that from yoga I had a better feel for where my body is spacially and especially in the first few days helped me focus mentally so that I did not fall down! Whatever you do, I think that exercise proir to surgery can only help. Good Luck!

Erin

[ANcoleader]

Hello......I think you just asked a million dollar question.  Yes, you should start doing BALANCE exercises as these do help your recovery.  I tell those attending our support group to start as soon as possible to help get the show on the road sooner and continue after.  I have done an experiment with our support group and prior to our meeting starting I ask even the guests to try some simple balance exercises and with some reluctance they try and are shocked to see they even have balance issues...so you are never wrong to start and get your body prepped and definitely continue forever and ENJOY ...LIFE is GREAT!

[Kaybo]

Just get moving - anything will help!  Sounds like you are already on the right path!  I believe that with ANY surgery, the healthier and more active you are going in, the better the outcome...

K

[epodjn]

My doctors said any kind of exercise would help. I walked 2 to 3 miles a day before and fairly soon after surgery and know that I'm 10 months out I can really tell a difference in my balance when I haven't walked for a few days. Riding in the car is the worst for my balance. After a few days in the car I look like a drunk!!!

[Adrienne]

I agree with everyone here.  Anything will help.  I was very active/fit prior to surgery, and had no balance issues afterwards (I realize that some have issues/some don't-regardless of fitness level, but I do believe it helped a lot).  I would suggest doing things with weights on one leg.  Ie: Stand with weights in both hands, lift one leg-stepping forward, lift that same leg and go backwards (forward and backward lunges with weights).  Also, try one leg lifted (with weights in both hands again) and going into a backwards lunge.  Instead of coming up to a start/standing position-go right from the back lunch to a knee lift or kick.  It takes a ton of balance.  Do it 10 times on the same leg, and then change to the other side.  Repeat. 

Good luck!
Adrienne