# Return to training following laparoscopic ovarian cyst removal **URL:** \ **Category:** Medical Q&A \[Moderated\]\ **Created:** [January 2, 2022, 2:03am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/return-to-training-following-laparoscopic-ovarian-cyst-removal/11864 "2022-01-02T02:03:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![amh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/958977/32.png) [@amh](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/amh)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2022, 2:03am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/return-to-training-following-laparoscopic-ovarian-cyst-removal/11864/1 "2022-01-02T02:03:09Z")
I am having laparoscopic ovarian cyst removal in the next few days. My OB/GYN advised no vigorous activity (specifically including barbell training) until 6 weeks post-op; she did say I could return to light/modified activity before 6 weeks. With all due respect to my physician, I feel that a six-week, outright prohibition on BB training is not evidence-based and is likely unnecessary given that the procedure is relatively minor. I did a forum search and couldn’t find anything specific to this situation. Can you provide any guidance here? For background, I have been doing BB training 3x per week for the last 3 years using BBM programming; I am also a fitness instructor/coach and engage in at least moderate physical activity 7 days/week in addition to BB training. No other health concerns. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Austin\_Baraki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/austin_baraki/32/1095_2.png) [@Austin\_Baraki](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Austin_Baraki)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2022, 2:19pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/return-to-training-following-laparoscopic-ovarian-cyst-removal/11864/2 "2022-01-02T14:19:55Z")
You are correct that absolute restriction for 6 weeks after a laparoscopic surgery is not evidence-based. Unfortunately, this is also because there is essentially no evidence on the matter at all, leaving us in a major gray area with respect to providing recommendations. Of course, we can’t safely provide patients recommendations via this forum that contradict the advice of their physician; however, lots of folks around here have returned to activity sooner after other laparoscopic procedures (like appendectomy, for example) as discussed in [this thread](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/forums/medical-q-a-with-dr-jordan-feigenbaum-and-dr-austin-baraki/6896-training-after-appendix-removal). ---
**Author:** ![amh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/958977/32.png) [@amh](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/amh)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2022, 2:34am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/return-to-training-following-laparoscopic-ovarian-cyst-removal/11864/3 "2022-01-03T02:34:57Z")
Thank you - this is very helpful. Appreciate the quick response. ---
**Author:** ![amh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/958977/32.png) [@amh](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/amh)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/return-to-training-following-laparoscopic-ovarian-cyst-removal/11864/4 "2022-02-22T21:06:03Z")
I wanted to follow up my OP with my experience post-procedure, in case it helps others. My procedure went well without any major issues. The day of the procedure I had minimal pain at the incision sites but moderate discomfort from the gas used for insufflation. I mostly rested that day, although I did try to get up and walk as much as I could tolerate. The next day, using the thread Austin helpfully linked in the chain above as a very loose “guide,” I was able to walk 3 miles (broken into 2 1.5-mile walks). I had some lingering gas-related discomfort but overall felt pretty good. The second day post-op, I walked 6 miles (2 separate 3-mile walks). The third day after surgery, I was back in the gym (I train in my garage) doing barbell training. I did the same lifts I had planned as part of my regular programming, but modified the loads and rep schemes to be more like a “rehab” template (I used BBM’s LBP template as a touchpoint) - i.e., high volume, low load, keeping both lift and session RPE around 5-6. I was able to train like this three days post-op with very little discomfort. I also took a 3-mile walk this day in order to continue slowly increasing the activity dose. Thereafter, I was essentially able to go back to my regular physical activity schedule for both resistance and aerobic training, modifying as necessary based on RPE. I continued with a high-reps low-load program for about 3 weeks following my surgery, at which point I was due to start a new program anyway (BBM Low Intraset Fatigue 3-Day). I started the program as planned without having to change anything about the prescribed rep schemes or RPE targets - I just continued on the same trajectory in terms of e1RMs and slowly increased loads to tolerance. I did not start belting again until about 5 weeks after surgery, largely because I was not really trying to move anything very heavy until that point. Other than being more easily fatigued than usual for a couple weeks post-surgery, I had no issues whatsoever in terms of dosing in both resistance and aerobic training during my recovery process. Thanks again to Austin for the response and prior thread referral!