Ask Amy
Starting Activity After Surgery
Becoming more active after surgery is just as important as what foods we consume. Getting into a exercise regimen on a daily basis will be best to not only help shed the excess weight, but to keep it off. Here's a good place to start:
- In the first 1 to 2 weeks: Walk at least 5-10 minutes every hour during the daytime. It will reduce your chance of getting blood clots in your legs. Rest if you feel tired. Gradually increase the distance you walk over time.
- After the first 2 weeks: Start exercising on a treadmill if possible, continuing to increase the amount of walking.
- Do not lift more than 20 pounds for 4 weeks after surgery.
You certainly don't have to limit yourself to just walking but its a good place to start! You might enjoy riding bikes, jogging, swimming, and weight lifting, but be sure to let yourself take it easy the first month and gradually get back to those activities you enjoy.
Becoming more active after surgery is just as important as what foods we consume. Getting into a exercise regimen on a daily basis will be best to not only help shed the excess weight, but to keep it off. Here's a good place to start:
- In the first 1 to 2 weeks: Walk at least 5-10 minutes every hour during the daytime. It will reduce your chance of getting blood clots in your legs. Rest if you feel tired. Gradually increase the distance you walk over time.
- After the first 2 weeks: Start exercising on a treadmill if possible, continuing to increase the amount of walking.
- Do not lift more than 20 pounds for 4 weeks after surgery.
You certainly don't have to limit yourself to just walking but its a good place to start! You might enjoy riding bikes, jogging, swimming, and weight lifting, but be sure to let yourself take it easy the first month and gradually get back to those activities you enjoy.
Amy Ingols, Registered Dietitian
Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco
Hi Amy!
Sorry to go off topic but I've been having something different happening for the past couple of days I hope you could give me some insight on.
My feet have been a little swollen. I don't know if my eating has something to do with it, but like we spoke on Tuesday, I was going to try and incorporate more "foods" into my diet. So, what's been different is, I've been having more spinach salads, normally with turkey, ham, a little avocado and a little cheese on it. Maybe it's the dressing. I don't use much, but I've been using a miso dressing. When I say I don't use much, meaning, there is no dressing left on the plate because it barely covers the vegetables. I don't know the nutritional content since I have it from the work salad bar. That's the only food change I've made.
I woke up this morning and my feet seemed ok. But, as I write this, I can feel them swelling, they feel tight and I haven't eaten anything yet for today.
Got any ideas???
Thanks Amy!
~viki
Sorry to go off topic but I've been having something different happening for the past couple of days I hope you could give me some insight on.
My feet have been a little swollen. I don't know if my eating has something to do with it, but like we spoke on Tuesday, I was going to try and incorporate more "foods" into my diet. So, what's been different is, I've been having more spinach salads, normally with turkey, ham, a little avocado and a little cheese on it. Maybe it's the dressing. I don't use much, but I've been using a miso dressing. When I say I don't use much, meaning, there is no dressing left on the plate because it barely covers the vegetables. I don't know the nutritional content since I have it from the work salad bar. That's the only food change I've made.
I woke up this morning and my feet seemed ok. But, as I write this, I can feel them swelling, they feel tight and I haven't eaten anything yet for today.
Got any ideas???
Thanks Amy!
~viki
Hi Viki!
You might be retaining a bit of fluid which means you could reduce your sodium (salt) intake. The foods that contain high amounts of sodium are cheese, canned foods, luncheon meats, ham, chicken broths/bouillon and likely that miso dressing. Try to cut back on these and go for less processed foods. Try putting salmon and or non fat cottage cheese on your salads. Go for fresher produce such as fish, chicken, ground turkey, etc and try not to add any additional salt when cooking.
Give this a try. I'm glad to hear you are trying more and more foods!
-Amy
You might be retaining a bit of fluid which means you could reduce your sodium (salt) intake. The foods that contain high amounts of sodium are cheese, canned foods, luncheon meats, ham, chicken broths/bouillon and likely that miso dressing. Try to cut back on these and go for less processed foods. Try putting salmon and or non fat cottage cheese on your salads. Go for fresher produce such as fish, chicken, ground turkey, etc and try not to add any additional salt when cooking.
Give this a try. I'm glad to hear you are trying more and more foods!
-Amy
Amy Ingols, Registered Dietitian
Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco