3 Tips to Increase Stamina After Bariatric Surgery

Stamina describes a person’s ability to maintain mental and physical activity and focus. A person with low mental stamina may find it difficult to concentrate on tasks or they can become easily distracted. A person with low physical stamina may tire quickly. After bariatric surgery, as with any surgery, it can be normal to have a decline in your stamina levels. Once you have had time to recover and have been cleared to begin exercising by Dr. Shillingford, MD or your bariatric surgeon, you may feel yourself becoming stronger as you experience weight loss and have more energy than you used to have. But, some may still struggle with low stamina levels for a variety of reasons.

We’ve got 3 tips to help you increase your stamina levels:

1. Adequate hydration- Adequate hydration is of primary importance to every person, but especially after gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or lap band surgery. This is because your new smaller stomach size will make it more difficult for you to drink water like you used to. Before your surgery you may have guzzled water from a bottle, or enjoyed a whole glass of ice water from a straw cup in one sitting. No longer after bariatric surgery. You will have to sip your drinks slowly and frequently throughout the day, avoiding the times before and after a meal. It will take time and effort to ensure that you are consuming the recommended 64 ounces of water each day. Drinking less than that can lead to dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include fatigue, malaise, headache, irritability, hypotension, confusion, and lightheadedness. It can be even more difficult to focus mentally or perform physical activities while dehydrated. Adequate hydration is key for weight loss surgery patients or stamina but also for their overall health and well being. Don’t worry, Dr. Shillingford’s got tips on consuming adequate fluids after gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or lap band surgery.
2. Meditation or Yoga- Meditation and yoga can help our body relax and help our mind to focus. Meditation can help increase our self awareness and lengthens attention span. When done consistently, meditation and yoga can reduce stress levels and improve sleep habits, as well as increase both our mental stamina and physical stamina. They can also have the added benefit of improving our general sense of well being. While yoga should only be done after being cleared to exercise after your post surgical follow up appointment with Dr. Shillingford, you can begin practicing meditation at any time, including prior to your bariatric surgery.
3. Exercise- Regular exercise is key to improving your stamina levels, both physical and mental. You may not feel it at first. You may even feel even more tired at times. But, with consistent exercise you will begin to feel yourself able to do more, and do it for longer. The weight loss you experience with exercise after gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and gastric band surgery can help make it easier for you to exercise more and have the energy to do it. Surprisingly, exercise can even help improve your mental stamina, and can help increase your attention span, memory, and focus. Exercise can also help improve your sleep, which in turn can improve your physical and mental stamina. Maintain a good balance of exercise time and recovery time to give your body time to rest, which helps to prevent injuries. Music can also help lengthen your exercise time, which will help increase your stamina as well (read Dr. Shillingford’s blog on setting up an exercise playlist).

Improving your stamina after bariatric surgery will take time and effort. But, with consistency in meditation or yoga and exercise plus adequate hydration, you can increase your stamina. Improved physical and mental stamina will help you maximize your weight loss and improve your overall mental well being. It is of utmost importance to only begin exercising after you have been cleared to do so by Dr. Shillingford or your bariatric surgeon. Dr. Shillingford, MD, PA is a board certified surgeon specializing in gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band surgery. His Boca Raton office is conveniently located by Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, and Wellington for maximum convenience for his weight loss surgery patients.