After weight loss surgery you can being walking right away. Work gradually toward more intense activities such as running.
One of the most important components of a healthy lifestyle following weight loss surgery is exercising regularly. After your weight loss procedure, you will be up and and walking for 10 minutes or so every hour. Each person’s recovery is different, but we recommend getting up and moving right away.
Here’s how you know when you’re ready to get back to your regular exercise routine – or start a brand new one – after weight loss surgery.
When to Begin Exercising
It is generally acceptable to begin exercising a few days after surgery, as long as the activity is low impact. If your recovery has been difficult or you experienced any complications during surgery, it may take you longer to get back to your regular routine. If your exercise goals are ambitious, such as training for a marathon, it’s a good idea to work up to them slowly. Make sure you are practicing safe techniques. You will meet with your exercise physiologist six weeks after surgery to see if you are ready to set goals and discuss the VO2 testing we offer. This helps determine what your optimal fat burning zone is for training and exercise.
Benefits of Exercising
In addition to making you feel and look better, there are a number of health benefits to regular exercise. Studies have shown that those who get regular exercise live longer and have more years of independence as they age. These are some of the main health benefits of getting regular exercise after weight loss surgery:
- Reduced abdominal fat, the fat around your stomach area, otherwise known a unhealthy fat
- Healthier cardiovascular and respiratory system
- Stronger bones and muscles
- Reduced risk of heart disease
- Increased energy and ability to concentrate
- Improved ability to control blood sugar and insulin
How to Develop an Exercise Plan
If you’re not in the habit of regular exercise, making it part of your daily routine can be tricky at first. Although all patients should be in a fairly good routine before surgery. Start slow to keep yourself from getting too tired to stick with your schedule. In general, it’s better to exercise for less time and less strenuously more times a week then to do one or two more strenuous workouts per week.
Walking, biking and stretching routines, like yoga, are excellent methods that are also gentle on your body.
Before starting or making any significant changes to your exercise routine, consult a doctor to make sure you are doing it as safely as possible. Our team at WeightWise is happy to answer any questions you may have about post-bariatric exercise. Contact us today!