hiking advice

[wes]

greetings all outdoor enthusiasts! I'm about one month Post Op and was wondering when most of you resumed your alpine pursuits after surgery. Should I wait until the sternum heals a little more before meandering into the wilderness? How demanding (on the heart) is hiking anyway? I'm itching to climb up a few hills to check out the autumn colors in all their glory. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[hensylee]

YOU sound really good but it's probly a bit early to be hiking. our athletes will be along in a while to give you their experiences. IMHO, you should still be just walking close to home. blessins..........

 

[kbheart]

Are you starting a cardiac rehab program? I waited to do anything too strenuous until I was in the rehab class. It was reassuring to have their advice and monitoring.

 

[stevo]

Gday,

I work at Geelong Grammar Timbertop as a teacher and we hike every week with the kids for three days. 5 weeks after my mv repair using robotic surgery I was hiking in the Victorian High country - at times when I over did it I got dizzy and tired but I soon go used to it. 7 Months out I now do the toughest hike routes with full pack and I am fine. I am sure just to trudge along but I can go witht he kids in the front groups and we go up to 2200m above sea level. I find the hiking really helps my running and mountain biking. Get out there and enjoy it.

Cheers
Stevo

 

[Joe Cool]

Fellow Backpacker

Fellow Backpacker

Wes,

I went on my high altitude backpacking trip (camped at 9,000ft. hiked to 10,500ft.) about 13 months after surgery. I am 50 and I could have gone sooner, but I am glad that I waited a few extra months. I would err on the the safe side and definitely not try much before six months. I was snowboarding at six months, but it is not as strenuous as backpacking. There is no need to push it, there is a big difference after the one year mark. I did notice that I did not have the as much difficulty with the altitude as I did before my surgery, a welcome improvement. Good luck and TAKE IT EASY!

 

[gageyk]

If you feel ready, DO IT!!!

If you feel ready, DO IT!!!

Wes,

Read my post about my 10 mile hike 5 1/2 weeks post op.

http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22307

After that hike I did at least 3 other 9-11 miles hikes during the following month or so. If you feel ready DO IT!! it's the best therapy there is .

I was walking 4-6 miles five to six days per week prior to my extended hikes. Today, at 13 1/2 weeks post op, I played touch football for an hour and a half, soaked in the hot tub for an hour, then I went on a 3-4 mile hike with 800 feet elevation gain straight up-no trail. I am very tired now, old muscles, but the ticker is as healthy as ever.

 

[MikeHeim]

I was/am a pretty avid hiker as I was at the time of my surgery. The first real hike I did post-op was about 9 miles with around 1500ft of elevation gain at around three months. I believe the real danger is only overdoing it and exausting yourself. I had a few occasions shortly after my operation where I completely overdid things and was almost at the point of collapse. Don't know if this has happened to you yet, but I would go from walking around and feeling fine one minute to being so exausted I could barely move the next. Not a huge problem in a shopping mall or walking around the neighborhood (my wife had to go and get the car to pick me up eight blocks from home once - that's how bad it would get), but it could be a major problem if you were 3-4 miles back into the wilderness.