Exercise is important for bariatric surgery patients to help with losing weight and achieving optimum health. Exercise improves their ability to do regular activities, increases energy and enhances circulation. Exercise also decreases bone loss, particularly important for bariatric patients. These patients are at increased risk for osteoporosis because the surgery leads to decreased absorption of certain vitamins and minerals, including calcium. Gastric bypass is the most common type of bariatric surgery.
Planning
Before your weight-loss surgery, you and your doctor will discuss exercise. Get your doctor's approval before beginning any new activity, and don't feel compelled to do types of exercise you don't feel comfortable about. Plan a daily and weekly schedule for exercising, especially if you have led a very sedentary life. Think of activities you enjoy and focus on those.
Beginning
You should begin mild exercise the day after surgery or even the day of surgery, if your doctor approves. This usually involves walking, but may consist of stretching and leg exercises for a start. You'll gradually increase the length and intensity of your activity over the next several weeks.
Walking
The bariatric surgery program at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia recommends walking as one of the best forms of exercise for its patients. Begin with a few minutes of walking and work your way up to a schedule where you're taking a 10-minute walk in the morning, and two 5-minute walks later in the day. Gradually increase the time until you're walking 30 minutes twice a day.
Low-Impact Exercise
Stretching exercises are important for preventing muscle and joint problems. Once your doctor has released you to be in water, you can begin light water aerobics. After about one month, your doctor may release you to start weight training, swimming and bicycling, all good types of low-impact exercise.
Daily Activity
You can sneak activity into your daily schedule simply by changing some of your regular behavior. You might take the stairs instead of an elevator, walk instead of drive, park farther away than you usually would, get off the bus one stop early or take a walk at lunchtime.
