What this experience covers
This experience looks at when and how people return to exercise after lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) surgery for an anal fissure. It is a composite drawn from many anonymised accounts and covers the common patterns — the cautious first walks, the gradual return to activity, and the signals people use to gauge whether they are ready.
The pattern
Week 1: rest and gentle movement
Most people describe the first week as focused on recovery rather than exercise. The main physical activity is short, gentle walks — often just around the house or garden at first, progressing to short walks outside by the end of the week.
People describe these walks as serving two purposes: preventing blood clots and stiffness, and providing a mental break from being at home recovering. The walking is slow, deliberate, and usually short — ten to fifteen minutes at most.
Activities to avoid in week one: lifting anything heavy, sitting for extended periods, any impact exercise, and anything that involves straining.
Weeks 2 to 3: cautious increases
By the second week, most people are walking longer distances — twenty to thirty minutes at a comfortable pace. Some describe starting gentle stretching, particularly for the upper body and legs.
The key message from these accounts: people listen to their body closely during this period. If a walk causes discomfort in the surgical area, they scale back. If it feels fine, they gradually extend.
Activities people commonly add in weeks two to three:
- Longer walks at a moderate pace
- Gentle yoga or stretching (avoiding deep squats or poses that put pressure on the pelvic floor)
- Light household activities
- Short drives (when comfortable sitting)
Weeks 4 to 6: returning to more
This is when the range of experiences widens significantly. Some people feel well enough to return to the gym, swimming, or cycling by week four. Others are still taking it carefully at week six.
Common activities people try in this window:
- Swimming — frequently mentioned as one of the first “proper” exercises people try
- Cycling — with a padded seat, often starting with stationary bikes
- Light resistance training — upper body first, avoiding heavy lifting
- Jogging — usually short distances, building gradually
Beyond six weeks: full return
Most people describe being back to their pre-surgery exercise level by eight to twelve weeks, though some take longer. Heavy weightlifting and high-impact activities are typically the last to return.
What people wish they had known
- That the return to exercise is genuinely gradual — weeks, not days
- That walking is exercise in the early weeks and it counts
- That one bad day after doing too much does not mean they have caused damage — it usually means they need to scale back temporarily
- That sitting on hard surfaces (gym benches, bike seats) takes longer to become comfortable than they expected
If something about your recovery does not feel right, or you just want reassurance about what is normal, our chat can help you think it through.
When to contact your doctor
Seek medical attention if you experience:
- Heavy or persistent bleeding that does not settle
- Severe pain that is getting worse rather than better
- Fever or signs of infection
- Symptoms that have not improved after 4 to 6 weeks of self-care