Question:
What types of exercise is best post-op?

— Cindy S. (posted on April 9, 2000)

Post your answer to this question Post your own question

April 9, 2000

— Mark R.

April 9, 2000
Walk, walk, walk......
— [Deactivated Member]

April 9, 2000
Post op exercise is same as for anybody. First you walk. When you are able then swimming aerobics is great. Then let your imagination take you dancing, water sking or anything else you want to do. You are not limited once the weight starts to come off so go for it. The best to you.. Carol
— Carol T.

April 9, 2000
Walking is the best exercise for anyone. We have all been told to lose weight and exercise. The surgery will take care of the lose weight admonition but we have to make the commitment to exercise. Hands down, walking is the best exercise of all and can be started immediately after surgery. The key to success is to be consistent. And also to modify the program based on your fitness level (which for me was less than poor, it was pathetic and non existant!!!). But try to work up to an aerobic level in any exercise you choose. Yes movement is good but don't confuse activity with exercise. Also, gauge your progress based on your starting point, not anyone else. Don't try to exercise with someone you can't keep up with-you really can overexercise and do harm rather than good. I am not an exercise guru but I have taken up the call to arms and have put my money where was mouth is (can't put too much food in there anymore!! :-) I exercise aerobically at least 30 minutes 5 days a week and also do some strength/resistence training. There is an excellent book out by Covert Bailey called The Ultimate Fit or Fat, 1999 and is quite sensible and easy to follow. But I guess the best exercise of all is the one you will do, and keep doing!
— Fran B.

June 17, 2000
Well, we all know walking is good for us... But here is even more reasons besides great weightloss.. ATLANTA (CNN) -- Women who walk briskly for 30 minutes each day can reduce their chances of having a stroke by as much as 30 percent, according to a study reported this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The benefit is similar to that derived from more vigorous exercise like jogging, bicycling or racquetball, researchers said. "Walking is an accessible, inexpensive and virtually injury-resistant form of physical activity that confers enormous health benefits," said Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, one of the study's authors and chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston. "We know that a brisk walk for 30 minutes daily can help reduce your risk of type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes, coronary heart disease, osteoporosis and certain cancers. Now we can add stroke to the list." The benefits from exercise are seen quickly, so a woman who doesn't start exercising until later in life still has a chance to cut her risk of stroke, Manson said. Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in American women and men. "The earlier you develop good habits, the better," Manson said. "But it's an important public-health point that it's never too late. Someone shouldn't think if they are 60-, 70-, 80-years-old they won't get the health benefits." Manson emphasized that to receive the stroke-reduction benefits from walking, women must maintain a brisk pace -- a mile in 20 minutes or less. The movement should be fast enough to elevate the heart rate and breathing. Women who kept up the pace for 45 minutes to 60 minutes a day had an even greater reduction in risk -- 40 percent. One way exercise cuts the risk of stroke is by lowering blood pressure and the chance of clotting, she said. Strokes are caused by lack of oxygen in the brain, often due to blood clotting or a blood vessel bursting. Sometimes called a "brain attack," a stroke can kill or cause loss of muscular control, consciousness or sensation. It is characterized by dizziness, slurred speech or other symptoms that vary depending on the severity of brain damage. The study, conducted in association with the Harvard School of Public Health, was the largest scientific effort to investigate the connection between physical activity and stroke in women, the authors said. The study followed 72,488 female nurses aged 40 to 65 from 1986 to 1994. These women, who also were part of a larger public-health study, had no diagnosed cardiovascular disease or cancer at the start of the program. They completed detailed physical-activity questionnaires in 1986, 1988 and 1992, with additional follow-up in 1994. The researchers said that although findings from previous studies correlating exercise and stroke risk had been inconsistent, their study found a strong benefit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on most days, but less than a quarter of Americans get that much. The study was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health. CNN Medical Correspondent Rhonda Rowland andThe Associated Press contributed to this report. <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/vbowen">Gastric Bypass Information, links and recipes</a> 
— Victoria B.

June 28, 2000
Good Article and information about exercise from post-op and beyond.. <a href="http://www.beyondchange-obesity.com">Beyond Change</a> Motivation for participating in a regular exercise program is an individual process. One of the most important factors is that you choose an activity that you enjoy doing. Most folks are more successful if they have an outside influence helping them to stay motivated. This influence could be a friend to exercise with, a dog to walk, an exercise program sponsored by your workplace, or a health club membership. There are many other methods that people use to help them stay motivated. Some folks are self-motivated and they are able to establish goals for themselves and follow through on a regular basis. Why would anyone want to motivate him or herself to exercise? Most people exercise for weight control and other health related benefits. Evidence is accumulating that regular physical activity is more effective than dieting alone for long-term weight control. The benefits of exercising in conjunction with dietary restriction for weight loss are multiple. Exercise burns calories. It also raises our resting metabolism, i.e., we continue to burn calories even after we are finished exercising. Exercise increases the loss of body fat by preserving our fat free body mass (muscle). Additionally, regular exercise contributes to the long-term success of weight loss because it is a change of lifestyle. How would you get started on an exercise program? The most important thing is to start slowly. Generally, persons who are obese lose fat and weight more readily with exercise than their counterparts of normal weight. This means that the initial stage of an exercise weight loss program should be progressive in nature, and not start out with a strenuous high-energy activity. In the beginning, you should adopt long-term goals and a restructuring of both your exercise and eating habits. During the first few weeks (or months) slow walking may gradually be replaced with brisk walking. At least a 12-week time period may be required before meaningful changes occur. Remember that this is a behavioral lifestyle change that can also be applied to your daily activities. For example, walking can replace the use of a car; steps can replace the use of an elevator; manual tools can replace the use of power tools. When exercise is used for weight loss factors such as frequency, duration, intensity and the specific form of exercise must be considered. For weight loss, exercise should be a part of your routine 5-7 days a week. Planning on exercising every day is a good idea. This plan will help you incorporate exercise into your daily routine and give you an excellent chance to achieve your goal. The duration of exercise should be 30-45 minutes at a time. You do not have to exercise 30-45 minutes initially, but it should be your goal to work up to this duration over time. Exercise intensity for weight loss, does not have to be strenuous. It is better to exercise longer at a less intense level to achieve weight loss. You only need to raise your heart rate to 50-65% of your maximum heart rate in order to be at fat burning intensity. Your maximum heart rate is approximately 220 minus your age. If you are 40 years old, you would want to be exercising at approximately 90-117 beats per minute. There are many exercises that you can choose from when planing your program. Some examples are brisk walking, stationary cycling, swimming, stair climbing, rowing, and jogging. Below is a sample walking program. Remember to check with your physician or qualified health professional before starting any exercise program. Week 1: Walk 5 minutes, then walk briskly for 5 minutes, walk slowly for 5 minutes Week 2: Walk 5 minutes, then walk briskly for 7 minutes, walk slowly for 5 minutes Week 3: Walk 5 minutes, then walk briskly for 9 minutes, walk slowly for 5 minutes Week 4: Walk 5 minutes, then walk briskly for 11 minutes, walk slowly for 5 minutes After 12 weeks of increasing your brisk walking by 2-3 minutes each week, you will be up to 40 minutes of continuous walking. Remember that this is a general program and should be modified to suit your individual needs. One of the risks of exercising is muscle and joint injury. Listen to your body for early warning signs. Exercising too much too soon can cause injuries to feet, ankles, knees and legs. Fortunately, rest can heal minor muscle and joint injuries. Do not make the mistake of exercising beyond early warning pains or more serious injuries may result. Wear a minimum of light, loose fitting clothing. Wear proper shoes if you are starting a walking program. Make sure that any extra gear you require is in good working condition and fitted properly for you. Drink lots of water before, during and after your exercise session. How do you keep going? To stay physically active you should set short-term as well as long-term goals. If your long-term goal is to walk briskly for 20 minutes, then your short-term goal should be to walk briskly for 5 minutes. With short-term goals you will be less likely to push yourself too hard or too long. Also, think back to where you started. When you compare it to where you are now, you will see the progress you made. You may want to consider keeping a written record so you can objectively follow your progress. Discuss your program and goals with your family and friends. Their support will be an important resource to keep you going. If you are feeling bored or are not enjoying a particular activity, consider trying another one. Remember that physical activity is an important part of your health prescription. The effort you put towards planning and performing a program will reap benefits that last a lifetime! Susan Arbogast, M.S., P.T [issue: January 2000] <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/vbowen">Gastric Bypass Information, Links and Recipes</a> 
— Victoria B.

June 29, 2000
I really think to stick to something long-term one must genuinely enjoy the exercise they're doing. My philosophy is instead of going to a sweaty health club and toiling over a treadmill, I: rollerblade, swim laps, walk around a beautiful neighborhood. So it's more like recreation and because it's not punishment I like it and stick with it. HAve fun !!! Jennifer in Indiana.
— [Deactivated Member]

July 13, 2000
I would recommend some kind of water exercise. I started a water exercise class about 4 weeks post-op. I am now 6 weeks post-op and am loving my water aerobics class. This is the first exercise program I have ever done that I actually look forward to. I am able to move around as much as anyone else in my class and I am not exhausted afterwards. Infact, I have more energy after each class. This is something I certainly plan to stick with, even after the hot summer months are over. Give it a try, I don't think you'll be disappointed!
— Sher A.

Click Here to Return

Our Mission

Follow us

Links

Select Photos