Starting a new exercise routine might seem daunting after your weight loss surgery, especially if you’re new to exercise. While weight loss surgery is a wonderful tool to help you lose excess weight, moving your body through regular workouts will help you see results faster, tighten up your muscles, and have more overall energy. Working out after bariatric surgery can make a big difference when dropping a dress size and feeling your best, whether you’re shopping for new clothes or running after your kids.
If you’ve made the life-changing decision to undergo weight loss surgery in Toronto, such as the gastric sleeve, mini gastric bypass surgery, or gastric band or Lap-Band™, congratulations! This is the start of a whole lifestyle change that will result in the best and healthiest version of yourself. Exercise and eating healthy are an integral part of that change. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about exercising properly after weight loss surgery, so you can achieve and maintain your weight loss goals.
The Benefits of Exercising After Weight Loss Surgery
Bariatric surgery in Ontario will help you reach your weight loss goals, but regular exercise will help you reach your goals faster and maintain your results.
According to a meta-analysis study, patients who exercise for 30 minutes at least three days a week after weight loss surgery lose 4% more from their BMI, compared to those who don’t.
Developing an exercise routine that you enjoy after weight loss surgery is especially important because your body’s metabolism will slow down a bit as you lose weight. This is because your body doesn’t need to work as hard when there’s less body weight to support. Building muscle will help raise your metabolism so you’re burning more calories at rest, and can lose weight faster.
Regular exercise will also help improve your circulation, reduce the risk of blood clots, and promote wound healing, so you can recover from your surgery more quickly.
When Can I Start Exercising After Weight Loss Surgery?
Generally, you can start exercising after your weight loss surgery within three to six weeks following surgery. However, you should check with your surgeon and nursing team first, to be absolutely sure. Weight loss surgery patients will need to take it easy for several weeks after their surgery to allow their bodies to heal.
Read More: How Can I Stay Motivated While Losing Weight?
What Types of Exercise Can I Do After Weight Loss Surgery
Low-impact exercises, such as walking, swimming, jogging, or cycling are the best types of activities to choose from. Yoga, aerobics classes, and lifting light weights are also popular exercises after bariatric surgery. It’s a good idea to work with an exercise plan that starts gradually with low to moderate amounts of physical exercise, such as exercising for 10 minutes a day before the amount is gradually increased. Your exercise routine should be intense enough to leave you feeling out of breath and get your heart beating faster, but not so intense that you’re in pain or feel nauseous.
Read More: How Can I Safely Workout at Home?
How Much Exercise Should I Do After Weight Loss Surgery?
Do you have enough energy to perform 30 minutes of exercise? Does joint pain limit your activity level? Whatever the case, start where you are. If you’re new to exercise or have joint pain, start with five or ten minutes of light activity a day. You should be able to do a light activity, such as walking, for a short amount of time without too much discomfort.
With time, you may be able to build up your endurance and strength. You can also consider trying ten to 15 minute bursts of moderate to intense activity, with the goal of building up to 30 minutes a day. Examples of moderate activities include brisk walking, mowing the lawn, playing tennis, water aerobics, or riding a bike.
Before beginning a regular exercise routine, make sure to talk to your healthcare provider about the best exercise regime for you.
SmartShape: Home of the Gastric Sleeve, Mini Gastric Bypass & Lap-Band in Ontario
At SmartShape, we understand that losing weight with weight loss surgery at our Toronto weight loss centre is exciting for our patients. However, changing your life and transforming your body and health can also feel overwhelming! That’s why our AfterCare Success Team of registered dietitians, registered nurses, and experienced weight loss surgeons will be with you every step of the way. As a SmartShape patient, you’ll have access to our AfterCare team for five years after your surgery. We’ll provide the advice, support, and guidance you need to feel confident in your recovery and reach your health goals. You’ll have access to our team via email, phone, and virtual and in-person consultations.
If you’ve struggled with yo-yo dieting and fad diets for years, weight loss surgery such as the gastric sleeve, mini gastric bypass surgery, or gastric band or Lap-Band™ might be the right choice for you. You can achieve sustainable and long-lasting weight loss with SmartShape in Ontario, Canada. We’ve worked with thousands of Canadian women and men across the country to help them lose excess weight and reach their health goals.
Are you ready to learn more about weight loss surgery options, like the gastric sleeve, mini gastric bypass surgery, or gastric band or Lap-Band™? Explore our weight loss surgery options and read our patient success stories to see how weight loss surgery can transform your life. SmartShape offers weight loss surgery in Ontario for patients across Canada.
Book a free virtual consultation with one of our weight loss surgeons to learn more about which procedure is right for your unique needs.