Follow the tips below after weight-loss surgery to help speed up your recovery.
Do:
- Slowly increase activity.
- Walk as much as possible without getting overly tired.
- Gradually increase your walking distance.
- Follow your physician’s recommendations about activities such as driving and resuming sexual relations.
- Follow your prescribed diet, including drinking adequate fluids.
- Take vitamins and protein supplements.
- Walk and move during waking hours to aid circulation.
Do not:
- Drive or use machinery while taking pain medications.
- Drive a car without your physician’s permission.
- Climb stairs more than necessary.
- Lift more than 10-15 pounds for at least six weeks.
- Go back to work without your physician’s permission.
- Stand or sit for more than short periods.
Myth: Strength training will make women too muscular.
Fact: Since women have smaller muscles than men, it is harder for them to build large muscles. If done three times per week, strength training that incorporates a variety of exercises for major muscle groups can create a lean, toned appearance in women.
Myth: You can spot reduce any area of the body with specific exercises.
Fact: Spot reduction in specific areas of the body does not work. The most common misconception is that sit-ups or crunches will burn fat on the abdomen. The best way to reduce body fat is with a consistent program of aerobic exercise, strength training, stretching and a healthy diet.
Myth: No pain, no gain.
Fact: Many people believe exercise must be painful to be beneficial. While it’s normal to be sore for a few days after a new or strenuous workout, pain should not linger beyond that time period. Physical pain is your body’s signal to modify or stop an activity. Exercise should not be a painful experience.
Myth: Light weights on your arms or legs boost your exercise benefit.
Fact: When you carry or wear weights when walking or running, you add stress and pull on your muscles and joints. This can cause strained muscles.
The Weight-loss Surgery Program at South Miami Hospital 
provides after-surgery support to help you become a happier, healthier you. We offer South Florida’s most popular and well established bariatric surgery support group—50 to 60 people participate in our group each month.
You and your family are welcome to attend these free support group meetings. The meetings provide an opportunity to hear guest speakers talk about the unique concerns of bariatric surgery patients. These experts may include: surgeons, nurses, psychologists, dietitians, personal trainers and other health professionals. You will also have a chance to speak to people who have had bariatric surgery at South Miami Hospital. These former patients are regular support group attendees. They support one another and share their insights with individuals who are considering surgery.
Our support group meets the fourth Thursday of every month from 7-9 p.m. at the Victor E. Clarke Education Center Auditorium on the hospital campus. The
Auditorium is located on the corner of U.S. 1 and SW 62 Avenue, in Miami.
The meetings are managed by our Bariatric Nurse Coordinator and co-facilitated by our bariatric dietitian and family therapist. For more information about our support groups, please call 786-662-8745.
Daily exercise is important for good health and weight loss. Brisk walking and other moderate physical activities can help people lose weight and keep it off just as well as more intense exercises, such as running. Plus, some research suggests that moderate exercisers are more likely than vigorous exercisers to continue working out in the long term. Try following this walking program to start a new routine.
Check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.
