Physical Activity and Bariatric/Weight-loss Surgery

Make your energy balance negative

Make your energy balance negative with physical activity.

 

A recent study published online in ‘The journal of Obesity’ highlighted the beneficial and positive effect of physical activity on weight-loss and the quality of life for 190 patients having had bariatric/weight-loss surgery:

  • Exercise shortened  patient recuperation time and reduced the risk of post-operative complications.
  • Physical activity improved mood and reduced stress.
  • Weight-loss was significantly improved (>2 points of BMI) in the group of patients (68%: 2/3) who had already agreed to follow a programme of physical activity in the pre-operative preparation phase.

Agreeing to take up a physical activity is part of the moral contract established between the obese patient and their surgeon!

A physical activity programme is given to each patient operated by our team:

  • pre-operative preparation phase: !-6 months before surgery
  • early post-operative phase: 1-6 months after surgery
  • later post-operative phase: 6-12 months after surgery
  • maintenance phase: >12 months after surgery

If you lose weight too quickly, you also lose muscle!

Doing a sports activity is the only way to:

  • Increase physical performance
  • Reduce the physiological loss of muscle mass after bariatric/weight-loss surgery 

 

Activities before surgery

Activities before bariatric/weight-loss surgery

– Heart Health Check-up

– Slowly prepare for physical activity before surgery:

  • Become supple by doing Yoga
  • Take a 15 minute walk twice a day
  • The final objective is to do 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity three days per week.

– Physical activity and BMI:

  • BMI 30-35 Kg/m2 : Yoga, Swimming, Aquagym, Cycling, Walking, Hiking, Dancing, Cross-country skiing, Gardening, Golf, Badminton, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Cardio Fitness.
  • BMI 35-40 Kg/m2 : Swimming, Yoga, Aquagym, Cycling, Walking, Hiking, Dancing, Gardening, Golf, Badminton, Table Tennis.
  • BMI 40-45 Kg/m2 : Swimming, Yoga, Aquagym, Cycling, Walking, Hiking, Dancing, Gardening, Golf, Badminton, Table Tennis.

Activity after Surgery

Sport after Obesity/Weight-loss Surgery

An obese person must reinstate the sensations of their body before reinstating physical activity.

The physical suffering of an obese person, which, as we all know, includes dyspnoea – shortness of breath, joint pains, reduced mobility, heavy legs, difficulties moving and travelling outside of their home. It is essential that they start to prioritise looking after themselves.

Treating the sources of pain,  improving mobility and coordination helps to relieve physical suffering. In fact, before expecting our patient to be happy moving around, it is important to make such movement less painful.

The history of an obese person can often find the origins of their problem in childhood, in a gymnastics class, where they first experienced their painful difference from the rest of the class.

They felt they were the object of mockery,  unable to carry out the exercises requested,  and, because of this, had the feeling of being overwhelmingly incapable, hindered by their fat body. A feeling which started their desire to get rid of it.

Start slowly doing sports after bariatric/weight-loss surgery.

You need to take time to listen to your body. Be aware of your breathing. Identify your postures, stretch. Practise different methods of relaxation. Exercise should be controlled, reasonable and gentle,  then increased over time  (walking, climbing stairs, and after 3 weeks, swimming).

For the first month after the operation, it is important to increase your physical activity progressively. During your time off work, it is recommended to take a 30 to 45 minute walk, if possible, in the mornings and in the evenings. Walking everywhere during the day, on top of these two longer walks, is good for you. More intense physical effort (climbing stairs) is possible after 10 days.

Bathing in a swimming pool is allowed after 21 days following the surgery. Before that,  skin healing is not finished and water may re-open the wound.

Physical activity after bariatric/weight-loss surgery :

  • 1-6 months after surgery: The objective after six months from the surgery is to be able to have physical exercise with a 30 minute aerobic session three to five times each week. Types of exercise during this period: Yoga, Walking, Cycling, Aquagym, and Swimming with paddles and fins.
  • 6-12 months after surgery: Your BMI  will have dropped below 30kg/m2! The target for 12 months after surgery is to be able to do physical exercises with an aerobic session of 45 minutes 4 days a week. Types of exercise during this period: Yoga, Walking, Cycling, Aquagym, and Swimming with paddles and fins, Dancing, Kickboxing.
  • > 12 months after surgery: Your BMI will have dropped below 27kg/m2: you are no longer obese! You have achieved your objective in terms of weight loss and the disappearance of comorbidities! You must maintain this radical change! We always tell patients that exercise is not an option, it is a must, an obligation, but also a pleasure! At this stage, the recommendation is the same for the general public: 45 minutes of exercise at least four days each week. Types of exercise this stage:
    • Buy a treadmill for jogging (during the winter) with the option of changing the speed and inclination: use is for 45 minutes at a time.
    • Still Yoga, Dancing, Kickboxing, Aquagym, and Swimming with paddles and fins!
    • Go hiking, take bike rides,  walk in the open air and be proud of your new body!

Bibliographic References