Exercise after Fundoplication surgery?

I just had my 2 week follow up last week and specifically asked my Dr. about exercise. Bear in mind this is for laparoscopic fundoplication, not open. He said at 2 weeks I was fine for walking, eliptical, stationary bike, and to start slowly working jogging in as I felt comfortable, based on my own feelings. He wants me to wait until I am 4 weeks out before I start weight lifting back up, so that the abdominal wall has ample time to heal and now risk an abdominal hernia....again working back into things gradually, starting with low weight/hi reps for the first couple weeks.

Of course, it may be different for different folks.

Well, it is different for everyone, and a lot depends on your level of fitness prior to surgery. I'm a big believer in that if you go into a procedure already fit, your recovery time and chances of a complete success are much better than average. Several other posts have also stated their Doctors told them 4 weeks was around the mark when their Dr. advised they could start back into a lifting routine, starting with low weight/hi rep, and then gradually building back up, just like you do any time you have torn a muscle or not been exercising for a while.

I'm 3 weeks post-op now, back on regular food with no issues (taking it slow during eating of course), and have been back on the eliptical and body resistance exercises (no core yet, so no crunches/planks/situps, just arm and leg) since the end of week 2. Everything is feeling good...much better than if I was not exercising. I am not an avid exerciser, but would normally run a couple miles a few days a week and lift a few days a week. I plan on going back at 50% weights and 50% speed for a week or two and gradual build back up. You have to understand what your body is telling you...and if you never exercised before you might not pick up on some of the warning signs as easily as someone who exercising normally and knows from experience when the body is telling you to stop or slow down.

Just as an update...I am at 4 weeks out now. I went for a slow 2 mile jog yesterday (first run since the procedure, everything else has been on an elliptical to avoid impact)....and it felt great. I have been lifting at about 60% of normal repetition weight for the past week with no issues. I have avoided active core exercises like crunches, planks, leg lifts, etc. so far, just to play it safe.

As far as an earlier comment about vanity not being worth it....there is a huge difference between vanity and being healthy. I'm never going to win any beauty contests, but I am also not going to wait around and hope I somehow get healthy by sitting on the couch. Not getting exercise is slippery slope to other health problems.