Bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure that helps many people lose weight and improve their overall health. But surgery is just one piece of the puzzle. After the procedure, maintaining a healthy lifestyle—including regular physical activity—is essential for long-term success. If you’re unsure about exercise after bariatric surgery, you’re not alone. Many patients have questions about when to start, what types of exercises are best, and how to stay safe while being active.
In this blog, we’ll explore the best practices and tips for incorporating exercise into your routine after bariatric surgery. By following these guidelines, you can maximize your weight loss, improve your health, and feel stronger every day.
Why is Exercise Important After Bariatric Surgery?
Exercise is a critical part of your weight loss journey after bariatric surgery. Not only does it help you burn calories and shed pounds, but it also offers several other important benefits:
- Helps prevent muscle loss: After surgery, rapid weight loss can sometimes lead to muscle loss along with fat loss. Regular exercise helps preserve and build muscle, which keeps your metabolism strong.
- Improves cardiovascular health: Exercise strengthens your heart and lungs, reducing your risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions.
- Enhances mood and mental health: Physical activity releases endorphins, which can improve your mood, reduce stress, and help combat feelings of depression or anxiety.
- Supports long-term weight maintenance: Research shows that patients who exercise after bariatric surgery are more likely to maintain their weight loss over time.
Understanding the importance of exercise after bariatric surgery will help you stay motivated and committed to incorporating physical activity into your daily routine.
When to Start Exercising After Bariatric Surgery
Many patients wonder when it’s safe to start exercising after their surgery, and while every patient is different, there are general guidelines to follow. In the first one to two weeks after surgery, your body needs time to heal, so it’s best to focus on gentle activities like short, slow walks to improve circulation and speed up recovery. During this time, avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and any activities that could strain your incision sites.
Between weeks three and six, you can gradually increase the intensity and duration of your physical activity by continuing to walk longer distances or at a faster pace. Light stretching exercises may be added to improve flexibility, and you may start incorporating low-impact activities like swimming or cycling, but it’s important to consult your doctor before trying new exercises.
Around six weeks post-surgery, most patients are cleared to start more structured exercise routines, which may include strength training and moderate-intensity aerobic exercises. Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, stationary biking, or using an elliptical machine are great options, and group classes like yoga or Pilates can help improve strength and flexibility without putting too much strain on the body.