EXERCISE

Exercise is extremely important in the entire program.

Before surgery it is advisable to walk as much as possible and do any other exercise within your tolerance and ability. This will help reduce the risk of blood clots in your legs and reduce the likelihood of lung problems.

On the day of surgery you will need to get out of bed and walk  a few steps for the same reasons and it is important to stay out of bed in a chair when not walking, to help you breathe deeper.

While still in hospital you will walk more and more. This will continue when you go home so that you will walk many times a day. The frequency of walking is much more important than the distance you walk at this stage.

Six weeks after surgery you should attend a gym or have a personal trainer so that you can start exercising seriously, preferably 5 days a week.  This exercise will help you burn calories and lose more weight faster as well increasing your overall strength and sense of well-being. It is important that you do muscle resistance exercises for both upper and lower body in addition to aerobic exercises.

This should become a lifelong habit even if you have never exercised before - many of our patients have continued to exercise many years after surgery and some have even gone on to enter competitive sports and run a marathon!