When Can I Resume Exercise After Bariatric Surgery?

Exercise After Bariatric Surgery

When it comes to any activities after bariatric surgery, it's always best to take things slowly while you're recovering. Your body is still in the process of healing, and forcing yourself or overexerting yourself can lead to serious injuries to the abdominal area. That's what we always tell patients at our Tijuana Bariatric Surgery Center.

In addition, starting an exercise program when you are obese is more difficult, yet it is an essential part of your recovery process. Light activity is generally better for the first few weeks following surgery, with more strenuous activities saved for a few weeks later as your body heals. Let's look at some general guidelines for exercise after bariatric surgery.

Walking After Weight Loss Surgery

While certain exercise may be off limits as you recover, walking is recommended as soon as you care able to do it. Start by walking 10 minutes a day at a fairly brisk pace and increase your walk by one minute every few days. Walking around your home can help promote circulation, which aids in healing and also helps prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. Continue until you reach a minimum of 150 minutes per week.

Light Stretching and Simple Exercise

In addition to walking, we also recommend light stretching is recommended to help stay flexible and active. You'll want to avoid bending or squatting, of course, but simple arm exercises can go a long way toward facilitating recovery.

When Can I Run and Do Cardio?

Any type of movement that increases your heart rate is considered cardiovascular exercise. Chances are, you won’t be able to run for several weeks, as the jarring motion on your body must be taken into account. The time from for every patient is different. Instead of running and high intensity aerobics, try power walking for swimming. The latter will increase your heart rate, improve your breathing and respiratory health, and it will be much easier on your joints and body. Remember that other activities such as dancing or bicycling are also options.

When Can I Start Strength Training?

Strength training is essential to your weight loss program because as you lose weight you will also lose muscle. You should not start strength training until at least six weeks after your surgery, as you incisions need to heal. Begin by using small dumbbells weighing five pounds or less and increase the weight as you become stronger. Resistance bands are another alternative to help you build muscle. As for heavy weights, hold off on using them until at least three months after surgery.

When Can I Do Abdominal and Core Exercises?

Core strength is crucial for general wellness, but since bariatric surgery involves direct treatment of the abdominal region, you may want to wait longer before doing crunches, core exercises, and other strenuous abdominal and lower back work. Consult with us about yoga and other kinds of workouts that improve core strength, which you can use as a transition into directly working the abs and lower back. It may take several weeks, but easing into things is ideal.

Always Important to Remember: Take Things Slow

We said it before and we'll say it again: it's important to take things slow as you recovery from surgery. While we understand you may feel frustrated about not being active, your main focus early on is healing. Taking the necessary time to recover and be totally well before getting into an exercise routine and resuming normal activities means fewer potential problems in the long run.

Whether it comes to diet, exercise, or other activities, be sure to not force anything. You'll do yourself a lot of good by heeding this advice.

Contact Tijuana Bariatric Center

To learn more about resuming physical activity after weight loss procedures and how we help you improve general wellness, be sure to contact our bariatric surgery center today by calling 800-970-0577 The team at Tijuana Bariatric Center is here to help you achieve total wellness.