Exercise

A Window of Opportunity

February 21, 2013

Many patients who suffer from severe obesity in Connecticut find help losing significant and sustained weight through bariatric surgery. There are several different types of weight loss surgery offered at Griffin Hospital. Our bariatric team will discuss your non-surgical and surgical options, taking into consideration your age, co-morbid conditions, lifestyle, expected surgical risk and weight loss goal. The average amount of expected weight loss varies with each surgery type: Lap Band Procedure: 50% of excess weight Sleeve Gastectomy: 60 % of excess weight Gastric Bypass: 70% of excess weight Revisional Surgery: case specific Hitting the target weight loss and exceeding weight loss expectations No matter which bariatric surgery is right for you, how quickly to jump into a healthy lifestyle directly affects how much total weight you are most likely to lose. Weight loss after bariatric surgery is very much a window of opportunity. The fastest weight loss is typically in the first 6-9 months and gradually decreases over the next 6-9 months to stabilize around 18 to 24 months post-op. That being understood, there are some ways you can... Read More

Finding Ways To Exercise With Children

October 17, 2012

Exercise is an integral part of life after bariatric surgery. Exercise helps you reach your target goals by getting past those nasty plateaus and also helps you maintain your hard-earned weight loss. Further, it makes you stronger and has been proven to make you happier (thanks to copious amounts of endorphins released while you sweat it out). Pre-operatively, exercise is encouraged to reduce operative risk. Patients who exercise regularly are also much more satisfied with the results of their bariatric procedure, regardless if they had a Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy or Lap-Band. You hear us talk about exercise all the time. “Join our Bariatric Exercise Program!” “Participate in our Connecticut walk for charity!” “We had so much fun at Aqua-Zumba class! Why did you not show up?” Maybe it was because you have children and find it hard to take the time to exercise. Let’s look at some options that you may find helpful: Walk – if you have a child of stroller age, then walking may be a good option for you. Invest in a good stroller that... Read More

Walking from Obesity

September 7, 2012

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise that most bariatric patients can do before, and especially after weight loss surgery. Walking may be difficult before bariatric surgery and you may not be able to go far at first. Be assured that you will get stronger and that you will surprise yourself by what you will be able to accomplish. We encourage all persons who are considering weight loss surgery to start walking daily. After surgery, walking is often the first form of exercise that most patients do on a daily basis. How do you take the first step? Don the gear. Pick sun hats and rain jackets that are breathable to keep you comfortable. Ensure that you are wearing comfortable and supportive walking shoes. Wearing shoes like flip-flops or ill-fitting shoes can cause injury to feet and ankles and cause leg and back pain. If you have pain in your feet, consult a podiatrist to help you put your best foot forward and enable you to enjoy walking. Plan your route. At first, you may just be walking to your... Read More

Coping With Summer Weather After Weight Loss Surgery

July 27, 2012

Although we all enjoy the seasonal changes and the warm weather, sometimes the heat can be too much of a good thing. In order to get the most out of bariatric surgery, keeping a healthy lifestyle is the key to success. This means that patients must drink plenty of water, eat a healthy, protein rich diet, exercise regularly and take daily bariatric vitamin and mineral supplements. Even with the best of intentions, the summer heat can but a damper of any healthy lifestyle. Here are some ideas on how to ensure that you adhere to a healthy summer lifestyle: Drink plenty of water. Water is the best source of hydration. Keep a sport’s bottle handy so you can sip water frequently and keep your thirst quenched. Stay away from sugary drinks such as sports drinks and fruit juices–they add little nutritional value and just add unnecessary calories. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol not only adds empty calories but also is dehydrating. Even though a cold beer may be tempting on a hot day, beer can lead to dumping syndrome (alcohol is easily... Read More

Revamping your exercise routine after weight loss surgery

March 8, 2012

Exercise is a critical part of the healthy lifestyle required after Lap-Band, Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy and especially after Revisional Bariatric Surgery. The thought of joining one of those big box gyms is usually enough for most people to despair and lose their motivation altogether to exercise. We are here to help. In order to make exercise part of your healthy lifestyle, you will need to have a type of exercise program that you will be able to stick with. Here are some ideas: If you are new to exercise and are looking for a community who shares your goals Try our Bariatric Exercise Program here at Griffin Hospital. The expert staff will guide you and explain everything to make you feel comfortable and in control. Meet other weight loss surgery patients who share your story and who will motivate and push you to reach your goals. Not only will you be part of a great exercise program, but you will also be getting the support from other patients – all this while having a great workout! If you want... Read More

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