Questions about exercise

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

My surgery date is November 10th, for upper and lower. I've been in braces for 2

years,

and in splint therapy for TMJ for 4 years before that, so I am really excited to

be at the

final stage of this process, six years later!

Understanding that low energy and swelling are two big issues, I am curious to

know how

long most of the post-op people had to wait before being able to exercise

intensely again

without swelling or sluggishness. I teach fitness classes and lead guided hikes

anywhere

from ten to eighteen hours per week. It is normal for me to exercise about 2

hours a day,

at least five days a week, and I'm wondering how long I will have to take off

from teaching

my classes.

I'm thinking of coming back to the gentle classes (like gentle yoga stretching)

after 2.5

weeks, and the more vigorous ones (strenuous hikes/snowshoe treks/hot yoga

classes)

after 3-5 weeks. Is this realistic, do you think? Are my time frames on target,

or am I

grossly off the mark? I read one report of a woman who simply walked around a

grocery

store for a few hours, two weeks after surgery, and said she swelled up like a

balloon. This

definitely makes me nervous, but i think she's the minority.

I also plan on getting MLD therapy/lymphatic massage once before surgery, and

hopefully

several times afterward. I'll be recuperating away from home for two weeks and

need to

find a therapist in that area.

If anyone could give me their feedback on energy levels, swelling, exercise, and

MLD, I'd

be grateful. Thanks so much

Jen in Vermont