Bariatric surgery is a life-changing decision that transforms your body into a healthier and fitter version. Robotic bariatric surgery is one of the latest advancements in the field. This minimally invasive technique is performed with precision, ensuring successful outcomes and faster recovery time. After surgery, the care team recommends making important lifestyle changes to your routine to help manage your weight. These include changing your diet and exercising regularly.
Here’s the overview of diet and exercise tips after robotic bariatric surgery.
Diet after Robotic Bariatric Surgery
Week 1: Liquid Diet
On the first day after your surgery, you will only be allowed to drink clear liquids, and this will continue for the next week. Once adapted to it, the doctor will suggest consuming other liquids, such as unsweetened juice, broth, decaffeinated tea or coffee, milk, or sugar-free popsicles.
Week 2: Blended Foods
After one full week of a liquid diet, you can switch to eating blended foods or mashed-up foods. These include cottage cheese, pureed vegetables, strained cream soups, cooked cereals, broth, etc. It is advised to eat 3-5 meals a day in small portions.
Week 3-4: Soft Foods
You can start the consumption of soft foods, such as flaked fish, eggs, rice, cottage cheese, cooked vegetables without skin, and more in the 3rd or 4th week of your surgery, depending on how well you are recovering. Take small, tender pieces that can be chewed easily, and drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated and flush out toxins from the body.
Week 8 and So: Solid Foods
Switching to your regular diet of solid foods depends on your overall recovery. In most cases, the doctor suggests eating solid foods after 8 weeks of the surgery. Start with consuming 3 meals a day, each consisting of 1 to ½ cups of food. Stop eating before you completely fill your stomach.
While the doctor will allow you to introduce solid foods into your diet at this point, they will also give you a list of food items to avoid, as they may cause problems at this stage and disrupt your weight management. These food items include raw vegetables, bread, carbonated drinks, tough meats or meats with gristle, red meat, fried foods, nuts and seeds, highly seasoned or spicy foods, and oily foods. You might be able to try some of these foods over time, but only after the advice of your doctor.
Exercise after Robotic Bariatric Surgery
Your doctor will recommend that you introduce exercise to your routine to keep your weight in check. Exercise improves flexibility, movement, and mood. It also helps build muscles and strength after you lose enough fat from your body. While you will be suggested to exercise regularly, do not do it abruptly. Take a gradual approach to working out.
Week 1-4: Gentle Movements
During the first few weeks of the surgery, your body will need some time to adjust. The doctor will advise you to focus on gentle and low-impact activities to support healing. You can begin by taking short walks around your home. Start with 10-15 minutes, and gradually increase the duration.
Pair walking with deep breathing exercises to improve your lung capacity and circulation. These are important parts of recovery. Additionally, you can perform some gentle stretches to maintain flexibility and prevent stiffness. Avoid movements that might strain your abdominal muscles.
Weeks 4-6: Low-Impact Cardio
In this intermediate phase of your recovery, the doctor will suggest that you introduce low-impact cardio exercises to your routine. These exercises are great for improving your cardiovascular health and supporting your weight loss efforts.
You can continue to increase the intensity and duration of walks. Instead of 15 minutes, aim for 30 minutes for five days a week. Once your incisions are healed, you can opt for swimming. It is a great exercise to engage multiple muscle groups and offers a low-impact workout that remains gentle on the body. You can also try stationary biking.
Week 6 and Beyond: Strength Training
Once your initial recovery phase is over, you can incorporate strength training into your routine. It helps prevent muscle loss and boosts your metabolism. Focus on light and controlled movements. Once comfortable, you can build up intensity.
Work out with a personal trainer to build muscles and strength. They will devise an exercise plan focusing on important muscles of your body. Start with basic movements, such as modified push-ups, squats, and lunges. You can also use resistance bands for adding resistance while keeping the movement gentle.
Once you are comfortable, you can start lifting weights under the supervision of a personal trainer.
Long-Term Maintenance
By this time, you will have gained enough strength and endurance to add different forms of workout to your routine. The exercises, such as aerobic workouts, yoga, Pilates, or group classes like Zumba, may help you in sustainable weight management.
Takeaway
Robotic bariatric surgery is merely the start of your fitness journey. The long-term results depend on how well you maintain your diet and workout routine. Do as directed by the doctor to maintain a sustainable weight. All the best.