Excercise After Surgery

How soon after surgery can I restart my exercise program?
Once you have been discharged from the hospital, you can begin to take several short walks per day. You will not be able to lift more than 10 pounds nor will you be able to do vigorous exercise until at least 6 weeks after surgery. Your surgeon will let you know when you can return to all types of exercise without restriction. Once you have been released to do this, start slow and gradually increase your exercise to 30 to 60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per day.

Will I have to change or limit my exercise program after weight loss surgery?

You will not be able to do any strengthening or weight lifting exercises for the first 6 weeks after surgery. You will only be able to do light walking at first but you can gradually increase this during the first 6 weeks after surgery as tolerated. Your surgeon will assist you in designing a safe exercise program.

Since I am losing weight without exercise after bariatric surgery, why should I exercise?

The weight that you lose after surgery is not only fat but is also muscle. You need to exercise to maintain adequate muscle strength and to help prevent weight gain once your weight loss has stopped after a year or so. You also need to exercise to help you recover faster from surgery. There are other health benefits of exercise, as well. Doing any amount of any type of exercise gives you a lot of benefit when compared with doing nothing. Health benefits which you might experience with exercise include lower risk of heart disease, lower risk of certain types of cancer, lower blood sugar, lower blood pressure, more energy level, improved sleep, improved mobility, reduced stress, and better sense of well-being. Choose a benefit that is really important to you to focus on when you need some extra motivation to get moving!

How much should I exercise after weight loss surgery?

Once you have been discharged from the hospital, you can begin to take several short walks per day. You will not be able to lift more than 10 pounds nor will you be able to do vigorous exercise until at least 6 weeks after surgery. Your surgeon will let you know when you can return to all types of exercise without restriction. Once you have been released to do this, start slow and gradually increase your exercise to 30 to 60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per day.

Additional resources

• American College of Sports Medicine
  
• Arthritis Foundation
  
• American Heart Association
  
• Obesity Help
  
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases