How Active Should You Be The Weeks After Bariatric Surgery?

Committing to an exercise regimen is essential for post-surgery life. However, you must take things slowly to encourage a suitable healing time. If you’re wondering how active you should be the weeks after bariatric surgery, check out this helpful guide.

1 Week After Surgery

It’s essential to start gently and take slow walks after surgery. Therefore, you should start by walking 20 minutes per day and gradually increasing the number over six weeks. It’s important to remember that your body is healing, and you want to encourage a safe recovery time by staying within your physical limits. In addition, you can meet with an exercise physiologist to assess your activity barriers and create an individualized plan.

2–4 Weeks After Surgery

During this period, you can incorporate low-impact bariatric exercises into your physical activity. Shoulder rolls, leg lifts, hamstring stretches, and arm rotations are excellent ways to build your strength and flexibility. In addition, you can increase your walking time and speed. However, don’t overexert your body, and only do movements you’re comfortable performing.

5 Weeks After Surgery

As your body continues to heal and strengthen, you must build a moderate workout routine. Activities like water aerobics and cycling are suitable options because they’re easier on joints while increasing your heart rate. You should aim to exercise five times a week for 30 minutes and build your routine and workout time from there. During this time, it’s still important to listen to your body and stop exercising if you experience pain or tightness in your chest.

6 Weeks and Beyond

Exercising six weeks and beyond surgery requires a mix of strength training and cardio. At this point, your body is ready to endure more intense exercises, and you can do things like lift weights or jog. It’s important to cardio train five days out the week (between 30 minutes and an hour) and add bariatric strength training exercises to your overall routine. If you need strength training ideas, consider these options:

• Lunges
• Squats
• Push-ups
• Sit-ups
• Lifting weights

We hope our guide on how active you should be the weeks after bariatric surgery helps you understand post-surgery exercise expectations. If you’re considering weight loss surgery and are interested in gastric sleeve surgery in Las Vegas, you should contact Slim Vegas Bariatric and General Surgery. We’ll provide you with a thorough consultation and help you achieve your weight loss goals! If you have any questions, please call us today.