We recommend that for the first 2 weeks after surgery you restrain from lifting anything over 20 pounds as your body heals.  It is imperative that during those first few weeks though, you get up, go on walks and start to increase your level of activity. This not only helps the recovery process but helps prevent complications after surgery such as blood clots. We are aware of the many health benefits from weight loss but there are many more if you start and maintain an exercise routine. For the next 2 weeks, low impact exercises after surgery are best to start. These could include:

1. Stationary bike riding
2. Pool aerobics and swimming
3. Walking around the neighborhood or parking farther away from a store
4. Shoulder shrugs
5. Arm circles
6. Rowing machine
7. Single leg stands for 30 seconds(make sure you have a sturdy object to hold on to if needed)
8. Using the stairs
9. Knee Bends
10. Leg Lifts

These exercises incorporate some strengthening and stretching routines while also building a base for more intensive cardio later. There are many ways to start exercising with low impact routines and these are just some of the examples. The most important thing is that we don’t delay the start and keep it up! Also, start slowly, many times we are pumped up to get going only to find that we can not accomplish nearly what we would have thought or hoped. Do not despair if this happens! It takes time and any improvement is a good one. Take small steps and do not overdue it. Also, remember that healthy eating is the main key to becoming physically fit and maintaining your ideal body weight.