Bariatric, or weight-loss, surgeries change the digestive system, usually to limit the amount of food that patients can consume. Exercise is an important component in any weight-loss regimen, including surgical weight loss, report doctors at the Center for Weight Loss Surgery at St. Joseph East. Strength training is especially important for bariatric patients to help them decrease body fat and preserve lean muscles.
Considerations
Mayo Clinic doctors report that in order to be a viable candidate for bariatric surgery, patients must be able to maintain their weight loss though a combination of diet and exercise. While short-term success may be achieved through limiting food digestion, patients who cannot or will not exercise often are excluded from the process, because the risks outweigh the benefits of the procedure.
Benefits
In addition to maintaining the weight loss after surgery, doctors at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital report that an exercise program can improve cholesterol levels, control blood sugar and blood pressure, strengthen the heart and decrease the risk of re-hospitalization. Bariatric exercise can increase stamina and strength, as well as make it possible for patients to get off various medications.
Effects
Limited caloric intake can cause muscles to atrophy, report doctors at Hartford Hospital. Exercise can help to build and maintain lean muscle mass. Bariatric patients usually receive an individualized exercise program that counteracts the effects of other obesity-related disease such as diabetes, joint and back problems, arthritis and hypertension.
Features
Exercise following bariatric surgery usually begins slowly, report doctors at the University of Chicago Hospitals Center for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity. Initially, patients are encouraged to walk while still in the hospital and to continue with a moderate walking program for the first four weeks. Low-impact exercises, such as riding a stationary bike, are then introduced. After six weeks, patients should be involved in moderate exercise for 30 minutes per day that could include cycling, tennis or stair stepping.
Types
A regular exercise program should include aerobic, strengthening and flexibility exercises. Walking, jogging and swimming can provide the aerobic benefits needed to maintain the weight loss. Building lean muscle mass through exercise can include lifting weights, working on resistance machines or rowing. Flexibility can be maintained through practicing yoga and stretching.
References
- Center for Weight Loss Surgery at St. Joseph East: Bariatric Exercise
- Mayo Clinic: Gastric Bypass Surgery
- Shady Grove Adventist Hospital: Bariatric Exercise Program
- Hartford Hospital: Bariatric Surgery Exercise Program
- University of Chicago Hospitals Center for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity: Exercise
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