EXERCISE AND BARIATRIC SURGERY



Exercise is an important part of a successful gastric bypass surgery. Done properly and under supervision, exercise speeds healing and recovery. Getting started on any post surgical exercise program is difficult. It may be even more difficult for people who were unaccustomed or unable to exercise previously due to excessive weight. If you create an exercise program based on your likes and dislikes and work at it a little each day, you will be more likely to stick with it over the long haul.  Here are some helpful tips to create your own personal exercise program to assist with your weight loss success:

1. Discuss all exercises, from the first day of stretching onward, with your doctor. You will want to exercise as soon as possible, but don't rush into against your doctor's advice.
2. Acknowledge that lack of exercise may have contributed to your weight problem.
3. Commit to making a daily exercise program part of your lifestyle after gastric bypass surgery.
4. Start slowly. With your doctor's consent, try a few light stretches in bed the morning after your surgery.
5. Begin to exercise as soon as possible. Barring complications, you should be up and taking a few steps the day after your surgery.
6. Walk, walk, walk during the initial recovery period. Walk several times a day, even if you can only last for two or three minutes. Until your doctor gives the OK, walk on flat even surfaces, not grades.
7. Avoid abdominal exercises until they have been approved by your doctor--usually at least four to six weeks after surgery.
8. Burn fat, not muscle. Your body will be getting fewer calories after your surgery. To replace the lost energy, a sedentary body may burn muscle rather than fat. Exercise will burn fat.
9. Create a multi-front plan that keeps you interested and provides comprehensive exercise, including cardiovascular, aerobic, flexibility and endurance portions.
10. Lift weights after your doctor has informed you that your wounds are sufficiently healed. Gastric bypass patients are at greater risk for osteoporosis. Weight bearing exercise is a great way to battle bone loss
11. Enroll in a water aerobics class after your doctor has released you to be in water. Swimming really works the abdominal muscles, so delay actually doing that until you have received the go ahead from your physician.

Read more: How to Create an Exercise Program After Gastric Bypass Surgery | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2052201_create-exercise-program-after-gastric.html#ixzz1v2r1IbS4

Six Success Habits for Weight Loss Surgery

These 6 habits will help encourage appropriate behaviors to increase the likelihood of a long term weight loss success.

PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

• Measuring and recording weight on a regular basis (Use the journal provided at your preop appt or come by our office to pick up one for FREE)
• Setting appropriate weight loss goals

PORTION CONTROL

• Stomach size changes
• Recognizing satiety
• Adopting good eating habits
• The dangers of grazing

NUTRITION

• The power of protein
• The value of veggies
• Understanding carbohydrates
• The skinny on fat

FLUID INTAKE

• Eating and drinking at the same time
• Guidelines around alcohol consumptions
• The importance of water
• The dangers of dehydration
• The dangers of carbonation

REGULAR EXERCISE

• Target heart rate
• Exercise frequency
• Exercise for what ails you

VITAMINS & MINERALS

• Vitamins (Check out Medical Park Pharmacy for our list of vitamins recommended)
• Understanding the need for calcium
• The importance of B12
• Annual check up and bloodwork

As always making sure you can make wise decisions on what is best for your body and individual situation with weight loss will affect your success. You are the one who controls how successful you will be! Happy weekend!

GET UP AND GET MOVING!

Exercise is an important key when it comes to bariatric surgery and weight loss.  Its something you love or hate but regardless you have to do it to be successful in reaching your weight loss goals.  Some patients turn to gym memberships and use the equipment as their source of exercise or hire a personal trainer to assist them in learning what to do and having to "answer to someone" is the only way they will definately get it done.  Then there are individuals who want to exercise in a more fun, nontraditional way and attend classes for Pilates, Zumba, Kickboxing, and Aerobics similar to the craze of Jazzercise back in the 80s and 90s but with a kick! Check out some videos I found giving examples of a few ways you can lose weight and make it fun!

Zumba

Check out your local gyms for classes in your area.

Pilates

Check out local gyms to find classes in your area.

Regardless of how you decide to work out it is important to come up with a plan that works for you and your body.  Those individuals who work out after bariatric surgery has a larger success rate and weight loss after surgery then those individuals who do only the minimal requirements. Remember bariatric surgery is a LIFESTYLE CHANGE not a quick fix, and is only as successful as you allow it to be!

Finally I leave you with a few tips for becoming more active:

• Use a Pedometer it helps you track how many steps you take in a day, also giving you  a goal to reach of 10,000 steps per day - If you are a patient of ours we offer these to you free, just ask!
• Find a workout buddy to keep you motivated
• Mix it up - do different things to keep it fun!
• If you have joint pain, consider water aerobics and working with a physical therapist to find a way to be active that won't cause pain or injury.

Tell us how your staying active before, during, and after bariatric surgery.