Simple Exercises for After Bariatric Surgery

Written By: Rachael Kaine

Recovering from Bariatric Surgery

The weeks and months following bariatric surgery procedures will be a very difficult time for many people. Not only will you be getting used to a new lifestyle when it comes to your diet, but you will need to do things in order to help get your body into better shape in order to move you in a positive direction. You may not be able to do a great deal of exercising immediately after getting your surgery, but easing yourself into a new fitness focused lifestyle will do a lot of good, and can be the beginning stage of a much healthier and manageable routine in the future.

Post Bariatric Surgery Exercise Examples

The first thing to remember about beginning an exercise routine is that your body is not the same as anyone else’s. This means that even though the following activities are deemed “normal” and good choices for bariatrics and weight management DC patients that are just beginning to get back on their feet after surgery, you should always consult with your specialist in order to determine what is the correct choice for you.

- Low impact exercises are key for the first few weeks. As you’ll still be healing, you need to take it easy.. but begin working. Many exercises like leg lifts, shoulder and arm rotations, short periods of time spent walking and even sitting and standing exercises can be truly helpful. Even though these are small movements, the repetition will be good for muscles as well as promoting an increased blood flow to the areas of the body that are getting use.

- Cardio and aerobics will come next, but you shouldn’t rush to get to this stage. This type of bariatric surgery recovery exercise is much more intense than simple stretches and body movements, and will tire you out easily. This is especially true for patients that are morbidly obese and are not used to movements of this nature. Riding a bike or working in a pool to do water aerobics are popular choices because they work different muscle groups in very different ways. Don’t be discouraged if you tire easily or feel sore - this is typical…but as always, be sure to consult your surgeon and doctors to choose the best options for yourself.

- Strength training is the final step, and where you will see the most growth. During this process, you will be able to lose weight, burn calories and even gain muscle after bariatric surgery DC. Starting out slow is key, because if you push yourself beyond your limits, you’re likely to hurt yourself, which will be a setback and can be discouraging. Popular choices for this type of activity include yoga, stretching, squats and even lifting weights. The stronger your muscles become, the longer you will be able to exercise for in the future.

Life After Bariatric Surgery

Written By: Rachael Kaine

Bariatric Surgery Aftermath

Many people feel that learning all they can about the actual bariatric surgery procedure by visiting websites like http://www.medstarwashington.org/our-services/bariatrics-and-weight-management/treatments/gastric-bypass/ will be enough to get them through the process, but the truth is that you’ll need to educate yourself on many different things in order to be 100% successful. The surgery itself is only a small portion of what you’ll undergo… it’s all about the process that comes after it’s been completed. The physical changes will more than likely be extremely motivating, helping you to keep pushing forward even when things get tough, but you also need to consider what you’ll be dealing with mentally. This type of weight loss surgery DC has the potential to make a huge difference on your life as well as the lives of your family members, but you’ll need to fully commit to the entire process, not just portions of it.

Sample Bariatric Surgery Diet

The diet that many bariatric surgery patients follow before their surgery is often not a diet at all - it either consists of large portions of food, even if they are on the healthy side, or a great deal of junk food. Many patients who need weight loss surgery DC are in serious trouble, and find that dealing with the dietary changes is one of the hardest aspects of the surgery. Not only will your portion sizes change once your surgery has been done, but the types of foods that you will be able to (and recommended to) eat will change extensively as well.

This means no more sweets and no more carbonated drinks. These will not only upset your much smaller stomach, but they’re going to take up room without providing any nutrients. The idea behind stomach surgery like this is to make the space for food smaller, and then fill it with things that are good for the body. This includes foods high in protein like meats and beans, as well as vitamin rich items like vegetables, some fruits, grains and the occasional bread item. Fried items, and even things like juice will need to be eliminated or at least cut down to very small amounts, as they don’t do much toward your overall nutrition.

The diet may not seem like fun, but this is a good chance for you to learn how to make the food that is good for you taste delicious. This whole process is a learning experience that will change your life for the better, as long as you follow all necessary directions and recommendations.

A-Fib is Sometimes Treated With Cardioversion

Written By: Sara Loch

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm.  It can lead to problems such as fainting, heart attack, stroke, and even sudden cardiac death.  There are different types of arrhythmia, such as A-fib, and one possible treatment is called a cardioversion.

Cardioversion

Cardioversion is an atrial fibrillation treatment Washington DC to return the heart to a natural rhythm.  There are two different types of this atrial fibrillation treatment DC: electrical and chemical.  An electrical cardioversion is when a high energy shock is sent to the heart in an effort to reset a normal rhythm.  Although they both use shocks to reset the heart, electrical cardioversion A-fib treatment Washington DC is different from defibrillation.  Defibrillation uses a stronger shock to stop very severe rhythms that can lead to death.  An electrical cardioversion can be done as a scheduled A-fib treatment DC, or sometimes during an emergency.

A chemical cardioversion is an A-fib treatment Washington DC that uses medicines to get a heart back to a normal rhythm.  It is less common than electrical cardioversion, but is sometimes preferred because a chemical cardioversion does not require sedation and is less traumatic than an electrical cardioversion.  Either cardioversion can be used to treat a wide range of arrhythmias, including: atrial flutter, supra-ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia.

Other A-fib treatment DC

Cardioversion is more likely to be used as an atrial fibrillation treatment Washington DC if you are experiencing the condition for the first time.  It is unlikely that you will be a candidate for this atrial fibrillation treatment DC if you are elderly, have had the condition for a long time, or if you have another serious medical condition.  If you cannot have cardioversion, other possible A-fib treatment Washington DC can include:

• Medicines: These can be used to slow the heart beat, prevent blood clots, and/or help prevent abnormal rhythms.
• Surgery: Sometimes a procedure called ablation is done to damage the heart tissue where the signal to start the abnormal heartbeat begins.
• Lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying active can all help improve heart health.

You can learn more about these and other atrial fibrillation treatment Washington DC at www.medstarwashington.org.

Is Your Doctor Recommending Hip Surgery?

Written By: Allison Zahorcak

Hip Surgery is no joke - over time cartilage in your hip can wear away, causing the bones to grind together.  This will cause dangerous damage that may include cartilage injuries, hip impingement, inflamed or stiff cartilages, and loose bodies in the joint.  If you are experiencing any sort of pain or discomfort within your hips consider speaking with your doctors about hip replacement surgery DC.

The goal of hip replacement surgery DC is to improve your quality of life by relieving pain in your hip.  Speak with your doctors about creating a plan for hip surgery DC treatment.  Options that may be considered for your surgery are the anterior hip replacement, arthroscopy, and rehabilitation.  Doctors will be able to figure an accurate analysis if you work with your doctor by going to him informed with at the knowledge to explain your issue in detail.

Treatment Options Your Doctor May Advice for Hip Surgery

Anterior hip replacement is a minimally invasive surgery where the surgeon reaches the hip joint from the front of the hip allowing no muscle to be detached.  Recovery generally shows quick results where patients would immediately have the ability to bend their hip with their full weight comfortably. The procedure is done in between your muscles and tissue which allows the surgeon to spare them during surgery allowing fewer traumas on the body.  Work with your doctor in figuring out if anterior hip replacement surgery DC is the right choice for you.

Arthroscopy is another minimally invasive surgery where the joint is treated via endoscope through a small incision.  This hip surgery DC option is for those who are experiencing hip pain or have decreased hip mobility.  Expected recovery time for the surgery does vary from each patient but is generally four to six weeks.  Speak with your doctor about arthroscopy if you believe it is right for you.

Rehabilitation after hip surgery DC will take some time.  Your orthopedic doctor will work with you to developing a recovery plan from your stays in the hospital until you’re fully recovered.  Be prepared for plenty of physical therapy exercises and pain management while you’re regaining your strength.

Vascular Surgery and Heart Health

Written By: Sara Loch

Like all organs in your body, your heart requires a constant supply of blood to function properly.  Blood is supplied to the heart by the coronary arteries, and if these become diseased or blocked, that can be life-threatening.  If blood flow is restricted, that can lead to pain and discomfort.  If they become completely blocked, a heart attack occurs.  The area of the heart that is affected dies after it stops receiving nutrients, and sometimes the damage is so bad that it makes the heart stop, called cardiac arrest.  Vascular surgery is sometimes done in emergency situations to restore the flow of blood to the heart, but vascular surgery Washington DC can also be part of preventative measures to make it less likely that a heart attack will occur.

Vein surgery DC

Symptoms that the blood flow to the heart is restricted include pain and discomfort in the chest, arm, and lower jaw.  If you have these symptoms, a cardiologist will likely want to do tests at a vascular surgery center Washington DC to determine the extent of the blockage and the area of the heart that is affected.  If he or she discovers that the coronary arteries are narrowed, they may recommend vascular surgery DC to widen them.  This is important because narrowed arteries are more likely to become completely blocked, which can lead to heart attack and sometimes death.  One type of vascular surgery DC is called angioplasty and stenting.  During this procedure, a catheter is threaded through blood vessels to the blockage where a tiny balloon is inflated to widen the artery.  A stent (a tiny mesh tube) is then placed in the widened artery to make it less likely that the blockage will happen again.

Lifestyle changes

Vein surgery DC is not the only way to help prevent coronary artery disease.  You can help by managing your weight, staying active, and not smoking.  At vascular surgery hospitals Washington DC, they will also recommend a heart healthy diet that is low in saturated fat and dietary cholesterol and that includes lots of leafy green vegetables. You can learn more about heart health and vascular surgery Washington DC at www.medstarwashington.org/.