While there are certain steps you must take to limit your activity after weight loss surgery, there are also some activities you can enjoy that can speed up your recovery process. Naturally, the more time that has passed since your bariatric surgery, the more exercise you can do. Use this handy timeline as a guide to your post weight loss surgery exercise. Remember, The following are general guidelines and may not be appropriate for every patient. Check with Dr. Stewart or Sue if you have questions.
The First Week After Surgery
Take it easy this week. You’ll find that you tire very easily. Take short walks every hour or so. Aim for 5 minutes. Increase as tolerated.
Weeks Two and Three After Surgery
During these two weeks, continue the deep breathing and coughing exercises that you were doing before the surgery. You can also add light housework to your routine.
If you find your energy levels are beginning to return to normal and your recovery has been progressing normally, you can now increase the distance in your short walks. Aim for 10 minutes every hour.
The important thing to remember is that exercise or activity that involves lifting or significant use of the abdominal muscles should be avoided for 6-8 weeks
Weeks Four Through Eight After Surgery
You should continue your walking exercises. Your goal is 5,000 steps on your pedometer or 2 1/2 miles each day.
You can also add swimming to your routine if your incisions have thoroughly healed. Be sure to check with Dr. Stewart before you jump into the nearest pool.
Week Nine and Beyond
Your walking goals at this time should be a minimum of 20 – 30 minutes daily. The daily walking you do does not have to occur within one restricted daily time period, but can instead be stretched out through the day. Wearing a pedometer will help you find out how many steps (or miles) you’ve walked collectively. You should have a daily goal of two miles per day beginning two months after your surgery. On your pedometer, this will equal 5,000 steps.
After a couple of months of walking (and not before your fourth post-surgery month), you should increase your daily walking goal to three miles per day, or 7,500 steps.
Finally, during the sixth post-surgery month, your daily walking goal should be four miles (or 10,000 steps).