Post-Surgery Lap Band Exercises

Posted: Jul 26 in Weight Loss Surgery by Staff

Lap Band surgery is a popular weight loss surgery procedure here in Ft. Myers and Naples, Florida for people with a body mass index (or BMI) of 40 or higher. It’s also an effective solution for people who have a BMI of 35 or higher and have comorbidities like hypertension and sleep apnea. Exercise is an important part of Lap Band surgery recovery, long term success, and learning how to lose weight. Most patients can participate in exercise within six weeks after their operation.

Let’s take a look at the some exercise tips after your Lap Band weight loss surgery.

• Surgery patients should get up and walk around the house every 30 minutes once they arrive home from the hospital in order to prevent blood clots from developing. Although you can lift small amounts, you should not lift more than 20 pounds for a month after surgery.
• Care must be taken when participating in aerobic exercises following Lap Band surgery. Running, bicycling, swimming, and other aerobic exercises cause you to become thirsty, but because your stomach has been banded, you won’t be able to drink as much liquid as you’re used to. Therefore, sip liquids instead of drinking them quickly. Further, very cold liquids can irritate your stomach, so drink liquids at room temperature. Drinking water and sports drinks are preferred.
• When you begin your second month of recovery post-surgery, most patients can begin weight training exercises. Start by using small weights and gradually increase the weight. For the first three months, be careful to not stretch the abdominal area excessively.
• You can resume yoga, Pilate’s, and other stretching exercises after the first month after surgery, but sit-ups and abdominal crunches should be avoided for the first three months after your weight loss surgery. Always start slow, so you can minimize soreness.