After most surgeries, you need to take more than a month off from exercise. However, exercise after gastric sleeve can typically begin much sooner. Since this procedure is almost always done laparoscopically, there are no large incisions to tear.
Low-impact activities are generally safe to resume within just a couple days after your procedure. While you should take it easy, especially if you haven’t been active for quite some time, exercise after gastric sleeve surgery is considered safe.
Not sure where to start?
Not a problem! Here are the tips we offer patients after gastric sleeve surgery in Lubbock.
Best Exercise Tips After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Think SMART
While you should always exercise your best judgment, in this case, SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Too often, patients set goals that are too generic. “I’ll eat better. I’ll get in more exercise.” But “better” and “more” aren’t specific or measurable. Stop thinking in generalities and set SMART goals.
Go Slow
If you haven’t been exercising regularly, you don’t want to jump right in with 60-minute routines five days a week. Begin with something simple, like walking, and just focus on getting in 5-10 minutes each day. As you get better, you can increase this to 30 minutes of daily activity plus 2-3 more intense workouts each week.
Be Mindful
When you start exercising, you need to listen to your body. If you are entering life after gastric sleeve surgery, you likely have a BMI upwards of 35. This means you are high risk of injury when exercising, especially to your joints. Look for low-impact exercises until you are at a healthier weight.
Diversify Training
Many people are tempted to strictly opt for cardiovascular exercise after their gastric sleeve surgery in Lubbock. However, you also need to build muscle for increased metabolism and to manage side effects of extreme weight loss, such as skin sagging. Cardio is a must, but so is building strength.
Get Help
Chances are if you have opted for bariatric surgery, you were struggling to achieve results on your own. Just because you qualified for weight loss surgery doesn’t mean that from now on, you can go help free. Consider hiring a personal trainer to help you stay on track and find exercises that get results without risking injury.
Are you curious about what to expect from life after gastric sleeve surgery? We are here to answer all your questions. All you need to do is schedule your consultation.
