Exercising After Bariatric Surgery: What You Need to Know
Bariatric surgery can be a life-changing experience, yet the road to recovery isn’t easy. Exercising after bariatric surgery is an important part of your recovery process, so it’s important to understand what you need to do and why. Here’s what you need to know about exercising after bariatric surgery.
Why Exercise After Bariatric Surgery?
Exercising after bariatric surgery is essential for two reasons: helping your body recover from the procedure and maintaining long-term health benefits. Immediately after the surgery, exercise helps reduce inflammation, build strength, and improve overall energy. In the longer term, regular physical activity will be key to maintaining your post-surgery weight loss and avoiding any potential complications associated with obesity.
Getting Started: Where to Begin
It’s important to start slowly and gradually increase your workout routine’s intensity over time. Low-impact activities like walking or swimming are great ways to get started. As you build your strength, you can gradually add strenuous exercises like running, biking, or weight training. Don’t forget that stretching plays an important role, too; not only does it help improve flexibility, but it also helps reduce post-surgery pain.
Walking is one of the simplest low-impact exercises after bariatric surgery. It’s an exercise everyone can do, no matter their fitness level. Make sure you find a safe place to walk and choose comfortable shoes with good support. Start with short walks and gradually increase the distance as your endurance grows.
Swimming is another activity that is harmless to your joints but still has incredible cardiovascular benefits. Swimming lets you move freely in the water and build lower-body strength without worrying about impacts from running or jogging on hard surfaces. If you don’t have access to a pool, try some water-based aerobic classes at your local gym instead.
Yoga or Pilates are two more low-impact activities that can provide many mental and physical health benefits. With both yoga and Pilates, the goal is to notice how each pose feels in your body and focus on engaging the correct muscles. This mindful exercise will help you improve flexibility, balance, and endurance while helping to relax your mind.
Finally, Tai Chi is a fun and easy way to introduce yourself to martial arts. The slow movements of Tai Chi allow for greater concentration on coordination and breathing. As you practice, you’ll understand how Tai Chi helps improve control over both body and mind.
By trying out these low-impact exercises, you can work towards feeling better without putting too much strain on your body. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about how best to incorporate these activities into your life after bariatric surgery.
Listen To Your Body: Take It Easy
Your body has just been through a lot, so listening to and taking it easy is important. Pushing yourself too hard could lead to injury or other complications, so pay close attention to how your body feels while exercising. If something doesn’t feel right, stop and talk to your doctor. Remember that everyone recovers at their own pace, so don’t compare yourself to anyone else – focus on progressing at a manageable pace that works for you.
Get Support: Find Accountability Partners
Undergoing bariatric surgery is a huge commitment, and having support from friends and family can make all the difference in staying motivated and on track with your exercise goals. Finding accountability partners who have gone through a similar experience can be particularly helpful; these people often have valuable insight into what you may be feeling and tips and tricks they’ve picked up along the way.
Exercising after bariatric surgery can initially seem overwhelming, but with knowledge and determination, you’ll soon feel stronger and healthier than ever before. Remember to take things slow, listen to your body, and seek support when needed – soon enough, you’ll be reaping the many rewards of regular physical activity!