Weight loss surgery has become a viable option for many people, especially those who are obese and have co-morbidity factors such as cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea and diabetes. Bariatric surgery can involve reducing the size of the stomach, reducing the body’s ability to absorb calories and nutrients or both. Regardless of the type of weight loss procedure chosen, diet and exercise is vital for weight loss success and the restoration of physical health.
Following weight loss surgery, patients are immediately encouraged to begin walking. In fact many patients are encouraged to begin walking just hours after surgery. This will increase the function of the intestines and colon as well as promote healthy blood circulation and reduce the chances of harmful post-operative blood clots from forming. Patients who are unable to walk may be directed to exercise their legs while lying in bed. The surgeon or physician will guide your exercise routine and recommend how much walking you should do in this first phase of recovery. The amount of exercise in phase one may be limited by pain while the surgical site heals.
Following the initial recovery, weight loss surgery patients will be able to participate in many different forms of exercise. Aerobic exercise is recommended to capitalize on and increase weight loss. Some low impact exercises that may be considered are light jogging, swimming laps in a pool or biking. As the body recovers from surgery the level of exercise can increase to include strength exercises such as weight lifting. All increases in levels of exercise should be taken slowly and gauged for pain. If substantial pain is experienced in the surgical site, the exercise should be stopped or reduced.
Exercise following weight loss surgery works hand in hand with a new diet to promote optimal weight loss while building healthy muscle in the body. The American Heart Association recommends at least thirty minutes of aerobic exercise, five days per week. Studies have shown that bariatric surgery patients who do the required exercise lose an average of four percent more off their original body mass index than those who do not.