Exercise

Commit to an exercise plan preoperatively and get started. Check with your surgeon before beginning any exercise program.

Benefits of Exercise:

Physical activity and health states that exercise helps to :

• Reduce the risk of dying prematurely
• Reduce the risk of dying from heart disease
• Reduce the risk of developing diabetes
• Reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure
• Reduce blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure
• Reduce the risk of developing colon cancer
• Build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints
• Reduce feelings of depression and anxiety
• Control weight

Getting Started:

Remember : The key to weight lose is using more calories than you take in !!!

Walking in an excellent way to start an exercise program

• A walking program can be started before surgery and resumed once home, from the hospital.
• A walking program can be followed year round. Walk outside during good weather and move indoor to a gym or mall on cold, rainy or humid days.
• Start by walking on a flat surface and gradually add hills or slopes, as you get stronger.
• Gradually increase the distance or amount of time you walk.
• Alternate your walking routes will keep you from getting bored with your walking program.
• It may help to join a walking club or walk with a family member or friend to keep  you motivated.
• Walk only where you feel safe.
• If you can, invest in a good pair of walking shoes.
• It you have not exercised in a long time, it might make you feel better to take a cell phone with you on your walks.
• Take a bottle of water with you on longer walks. Sip water at intervals, especially if you walk outside on hot days.

Aerobic Exercise:

As you take personal responsibility for making permanent lifestyle changes to create a healthier you, maintain a close follow up with our Bariatric team.

• Check with our team before starting any form of strenuous exercise program. The best form of aerobic exercise is one that you will enjoy. It is difficult to stick with an exercise program you don’t enjoy.
• A variety of aerobic activities can help you from becoming bored with your exercise program. Try doing different activities on different days.
• Swimming and water aerobics are a good form of exercise, especially if you have joint problems or joint pain.
• If you want to take an aerobic class, always start with a low impact class.
• Make sure the class is geared for beginners.
• Research has shown that increasing lifestyle activities can have the same effect on health and weight lose as a structured exercise program.

Example include:

• Taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Parking at the far end of the parking lot and walking to the office or store.

Strength Training:

•  Check with your surgeon (who also happens to be a certified fitness trainer) before starting a strength-training program.
• Strength training may include the use of weight machines, “free” weights (hand-held weights), and resistance bands.
• It is very important to use correct form when doing strength training. This will help to prevent injuries.
• When starting a strength-training program, it may be helpful to take a class or hire a personal trainer. The instructor or trainer will show you the correct way to use the equipment.
• Strength training workouts, should always be preceded by a 10-15 minutes warm-up (such as walking, using the treadmill, riding an exercise bike). This will raise the core body temperature and ready the joints and muscles for the workout.

Goals and Motivation

Goal: 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. This can be broken down into 3-10 minute sessions.

Tips to help you maintain your exercise program.

• Begin your exercise program and progress slowly over time.
• Vary workouts to alleviate boredom
• Develop specific, realistic and achievable goals
• Anticipate obstacles-have a back-up plan
• Keep your walking shoes or exercise clothes in the car.

Tobacco

It is highly recommended patients stop smoking eight weeks prior to surgery and refrain permanently.
Smoking effects:

• Impedes proper lung function
• Increases risk of pneumonia postop
• Reduces circulation by constriction
• Inhibits healing of surgical sites
• Increases risk of blood clots (DVT)
• Stimulates production of stomach acid
• Increase risk of ulcer formation

Alcohol

• Excessive use of alcohol may substantially increase operative risks or may result in cancellation of surgery.
• It is best to abstain from alcohol. After your three-month recovery postoperative, alcohol may be consumed on a very limited basis, only after discussion and evaluation with your Bariatric team. Avoid alcohol taken in high sugar content mixers, this can cause “dumping syndrome”.
• Use caution with alcohol consumption, a few sips can be highly intoxicating.
• Alcohol is highly caloric and may impede weight lose and/or maintenance. 

Caution : pregnancy & meditation

Pregnancy and weight lose surgery

During the first 18 months after your gastric bypass surgery, your body is undergoing many changes. Weight lose is a major one, your body is also experiencing hormonal changes, increasing your fertility.

Please be cautious during this time and use a method of birth control to insure that you do not become pregnant.
If applicable, a pregnancy test will be conducted prior to your surgery.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAIDS)

Please ask me about any ongoing medications prior to surgery.

For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) like Aspirin, Paracetamol and Brufen have been linked to cause stomach ulcers after weight lose surgery.