Weight loss surgery in Tijuana Mexico – Long Term WLS

Exercise after weight loss surgery – General Guidelines

After weight loss surgery, it’s essential that you change bad habits from the past and begin to adopt new ones in order to continue on the road to success.  In essence, these old habits were contributors to your weight gain and therefore, you must commit to make changes in your diet and physical activity level.  An appropriate diet and regular physical activities must become a routine in your everyday living.  It’s important to maintain a positive attitude about your body and health. The key to success in this new lifestyle is to stay engaged in as many activities, nutritional behaviors, and social groups that remind you of your weight loss goals and encourage you to continue on this journey.

When Can I start exercising? – Life after weight loss surgery

Gastric Sleeve Surgery Tijuana Mexico

Starting to walk and exercise will help you recover more quickly.  It will also help you reduce the risk of blood clots, improve circulation & bowel function, and promote wound healing.

If you had laparoscopic surgery, you should be able to do most of your regular activities in 2 to 5 weeks. For patients that had an open surgery may take up to 12 weeks.

Walking is encouraged on a regular basis to increase your physical activity level. The first week after bariatric surgery, you must start walking at least 5 to 15 minutes every hour. Try to walk around the house and use the stairs.

You can continue with low impact exercise and aerobic activities and gradually increase the intensity and/or impact of your daily routine.

Lifting weights varies with each individual.  It’s recommended to start 6 weeks after surgery without lifting over 25 lbs during the first 3 months post surgery. You can start doing abdominal crunches until 6 to 8 weeks post surgery.

You should consider swimming until your incisions have healed completely, it’s important to check with a physician before going into the water.

What type of exercise can I do after bariatric surgery?

The most recommended and popular activities to do after bariatric surgery include walking, cycling, swimming, dancing, yoga, aerobic classes, and lightweights.

As mentioned before, you must start exercising gradually from low to moderate. It’s recommended to combine exercises that improve your endurance, resistance, strength, and flexibility. Mix aerobic exercises with weight resistance routines so you can reduce fat while you build strength in your muscles.

If you don’t feel like going to the gym, you should consider other home-based activities such gardening, cycling, walking your dog, housework, or playing sports with your friends and family.

Why should I start exercising after weight loss surgery? – Benefits

Incorporating an exercise routine as part of your new lifestyle will offer you many benefits on your overall health and mental outlook. Exercise will help you maintain and improve your weight loss results. It will also help you develop muscle strength, endurance, tone, and elasticity as well as promote joint stability and bone strength.

A daily exercise program will boost your metabolism and reduce the risk of developing a heart disease. Staying active will elevate your mood, reduce stress and anxiety, enhance your self-esteem and confidence.

General tips – Exercise after weight loss surgery

• Set realistic and specific goals.
• Stay hydrated, it’s crucial to drink plenty of water during and after exercise.
• Choose physical activities that you enjoy as you will be more likely to continue doing them.
• Add variety on your exercise routine to avoid boredom or lack of motivation.
• Don’t eat 2 hours before starting to exercise; this will help you to avoid nausea, indigestion or heartburn.
• Once your daily routine becomes easy, increase the amount of time, distance, or repetitions. We recommend you to get guidance from a professional trainer.
• Activities that can be incorporated into everyday life may be easier to keep such as walking your dog, brisk walking, gardening, or cycling.
• If you feel hurt while doing an exercise routine or certain physical activity, please stop! Get in contact with you primary physician or a personal trainer to discuss the situation and avoid getting seriously hurt.
• Give your muscles a break after an intense exercise routine! You must allow them to strengthen and recover properly. (At least 24hrs)