Exercises to do Before and After
Weight Loss Surgerym
Being a bariatric surgery patient requires a healthy diet above anything else. In addition, following a proper exercise program can be crucial when it comes to achieving long-term success. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also one of the perks of exercising. That’s why you need to make a habit of it even before your weight loss surgery. Sure, starting this process is the hardest part. However, once you get the feeling of it, you’ll be thankful, and so will your body. So, read this article and learn which exercises to do before and after weight loss surgery and achieve the best possible results!
Why is exercising crucial for bariatric surgery patients?
Physical activity is important in everybody’s life, especially for those on the weight loss journey. Benefits are immeasurable, but let’s take a look at the most important ones:
- Exercising before weight loss surgery gives you a qualified candidate status. Those who follow a mild workout regime will have better chances of going into surgery than those who don’t. And some patients are even required to do so.
- A proper exercise plan after the surgery will increase the weight loss and help you get to the desired goal faster.
- It will also help with the healing process and prevent unwanted complications.
- Since this process can affect your mental health, studies show that exercising can ease depression and boost your mood.
Now, let’s see what doctors suggest which exercises to do before and after weight loss surgery!
Exercises to do before weight loss surgery
People who carry a lot of extra weight often have problems with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, back, and joint pains, etc. These kinds of issues can create complications during and after surgery. That’s why exercising before weight loss surgery is crucial. In addition, patients who develop a habit of exercising before the surgery are more likely to adjust to exercising after it than those who didn’t have any workout regime.
Since physical activity is challenging for everyone, especially people with excess weight, starting slow is crucial. In addition, you should have a doctor follow your exercise routine and consult them about what kind of exercises are on and off the table for you. Every patient will have a personalized workout regime regarding their condition.
The main goal is to exercise for 20 to 30 minutes three times a week 6-12 months before surgery. These exercises should be light and easy for you. For example, take a 10-minute walk twice a day, in the morning and after lunch or dinner. If you have major back problems, it will be more effective if you march in place while sitting. Do this exercise once a day for 20 minutes. Your joints, back, and heart will be thankful, and so will your doctor!
Exercises to do after weight loss surgery
As we mentioned earlier in the article, exercising after weight loss surgery is beneficial for many reasons, such as faster recovery, increased weight loss, improved mental health, etc. The main question here is, when can you start exercising after the surgery? Truthfully, the answer depends on the type of surgery you had. For example, you should be able to get back to your normal activities two to four weeks after laparoscopic surgery. On the other hand, getting back on track after an open surgery takes up to twelve weeks. However, most doctors suggest taking light walks after a week or so, no matter what kind of surgery you had. Let’s see what getting back on your feet looks like!
Exercises to do 1 to 5 months after the surgery
The first few weeks after the surgery are the most critical ones. Not only will you lose a lot of weight, but you’ll also lose muscle and strength. Therefore, this is a period in which you’ll want to get back on your feet and regain at least some of your strength. In addition, increasing your range of motion is imperative for a healthy lifestyle.
So, after two or three weeks after your weight loss surgery, you should start with your exercise program. The end goal is to be able to do 30 minutes of continuous workout 3-5 days a week by the end of the six-month period. Now, let’s see what kind of exercises you should do:
- Hiking, biking, water aerobics for mobility range
- Resistance training for building a muscle mass and regaining strength (use weight bands, dumbbells, or gym machines that aren’t demanding)
Exercises to do 6 to 12 months after the surgery
The period between 6 and 12 months after the weight loss surgery should be rich with 45 minutes of exercise at least four times a week. In addition, doctors suggest spicing up your workout routine to keep your body challenged. This is a period when you’ll start to see the shape of your desired body figure, so you’ll want to do anything to achieve your goal. However, it’s essential to be patient yet persistent. These are the exercises you should consider:
- Movement and strength exercises such as yoga, aerobics, kickbox, and even dance classes.
- Continue doing resistance training to strengthen your abdominal muscles. Some ab workouts will both help you improve your posture (which changes as you lose weight) and help you have the abs you want. A win-win exercise!
Exercises to do 1+ year after the surgery
When more than a year passes from your weight loss surgery, you’ll probably have achieved your goal body-wise. Nevertheless, your exercise journey mustn’t stop here. You need to maintain your strength and stay fit. That’s why you should continue working out as much as you can. As a matter of fact, once you see what you can achieve through exercise, you wouldn’t want to stop anyway. So, incorporate the following exercises into your workout routine at least four times a week:
- Running on a treadmill with various speeds and inclines for 45 minutes a day.
- Hiking, jogging, and biking never go out of style!
- Hit the gym and keep up with your fit body and its strength.
Exercises to do Before and After Weight Loss Surgery: The conclusion
If you’re a bariatric surgery patient, it’s vital to work with your doctor and fitness instructor side by side. These professionals will customize your weight loss journey and help you achieve your goals. In addition, these exercises to do before and after weight loss surgery will help you live a healthy, happy, and fulfilled life in no time. So, find the strength and motivation to do it, and you’ll live the life you deserve sooner than you think!
