The benefits of exercise after bariatric surgery
Exercise is an important component to your overall health. Most adults do not get the recommended physical activity suggested each week and patients who have undergone bariatric surgery are no exception. A recent meta-analysis study looked at the effects of exercise on bariatric patients. A meta-analysis study analyzes multiple previous studies to determine overall trends in research.
The results of this study show that bariatric surgery is sufficient for weight loss, although there is a slightly more weight loss in people who exercise in addition to having undergone surgery. However, importantly, those who exercise have increased muscle strength, higher bone density, and an increase in V02max. "Exercise training programs performed after bariatric surgery are effective to increase cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength and to optimize weight and fat loss. Preliminary evidence also suggests that exercise may reduce bone loss and prevent weight regain after surgery."
If you do not already have exercise incorporated into your lifestyle, consider talking to your doctor and dietician to find how you can safely start exercising.
- Make sure you're cleared to begin exercising post surgery
- Start slow and increase time/intensity as you improve
- Find workouts that can be modified/adapted to your individual needs
- Include strength training exercises 1-3 times a week
- Have fun and keep it varied so you stay motivated and not stagnant with improvements!
Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/obr.13296
