How much time do I need to give myself after surgery?

I am having surgery in 3 months and I really can't wait for it to happen. I see a lot of different recovery journals, but I was wondering if what I see on this website is the average recovery experience or not. I see most people on this website tend to be on the more cautious side of not becoming active until much later in the recovery period, usually because they have the ability to take a large time off from work. I am a college student and do not have more time off than the regular amount of time between my fall and spring semesters.

Since I get such extreme exercise induced reflux, the one thing I cannot do right now is exercise. Any bit of movement shoots acid up into my mouth. I am looking forward to being able to get active after the surgery, but I am wondering what the earliest is that I can start being active after surgery without hurting my recovery process?

You can start walking about week 1. Vigorous exercise needs to wait until month 4.

Do not lift anything over 5 pound (gallon of milk) for 6 weeks and then slowly add as you feel you can lift.

I was a teacher and was back at work at week 2. I took it easy but it was do-able.

All surgeons are different with their post-op guidelines. My surgeon limited me to 10 pounds since day 2 post-op. I have chosen to limit it further, based on the majority of others' recommendations.

Walking immediately is important. I began doing laps in the hospital corridors on day 1 post op. A surgical team resident woke me at 5:30 AM following surgery. Her first question was "Have you been walking". My response was just to the bathroom and back every 45 minutes all night long. I began laps at 6:30 am. Surgery was completed at 1:00 pm the day prior.

I wonder the same about other exercises. I was a big pilates enthusiast until aspirating acid took me out for the past 8 months. I always had to use my emergency inhaler while exercising. I look forward to exercise, again.