Exercise

Have Fun Like a Kid Again on Mother’s Day!

May 10, 2013

When is the last time you had some belly-laugh, jump up and down kiddo fun? Mother’s Day should be about allowing yourself to be a kid again – at least for one day. After bariatric surgery, patients are very committed to a healthy lifestyle. Regardless if they had Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy or a Lap Band, patients understand that they need to exercise every day, eat healthfully with plenty of lean protein, and take time to “smell the roses”. All this is great advice, but is it still fun? If going to the gym seems like torture and you seem to be pulling your hair out lately, then it’s time for some kiddo fun. Some time ago, at our monthly OnTrack Workshop, we had a hooping demonstration. Yes, that’s right. We had fun with a hula hoop. It was such a popular event and lead to several patients taking hooping classes and many continuing to hoop every day. We thought that it would be time for a refresher course. The Right Hula Hoop If you tried hooping with your kid’s... Read More

Massage Therapy Helpful After Bariatric Surgery

April 24, 2013

At Griffin Hospital we talk a lot about bariatric surgery being most effective when coupled with a healthy lifestyle. Good nutrition, daily exercise and time for relaxation and stress management is important for propelling you towards your new, healthier self. One wonderful and indulgent way to relax and let go of stress is through therapeutic massage. Massage offers many benefits beyond pampering to bariatric surgery patients, including: Mind-body connection – many patients have a hard time seeing their new body size. Often, patients see themselves several sizes larger than they actually are. Weight loss in the first 6 months, especially with the Gastric Bypass, can be dramatic. It takes patients a while to adjust to the smaller version of themselves. Massage therapy helps to make this mind body connection. Improved circulation – if you are suffering from poor circulation before or after bariatric surgery, you may find massage therapy to be helpful. Massage therapy pumps oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, thus improving circulation. For lymphedema, patients have found much relief when receiving treatments from a trained massage... Read More

A Window of Opportunity

February 21, 2013

Many patients who suffer from severe obesity in Connecticut find help losing significant and sustained weight through bariatric surgery. There are several different types of weight loss surgery offered at Griffin Hospital. Our bariatric team will discuss your non-surgical and surgical options, taking into consideration your age, co-morbid conditions, lifestyle, expected surgical risk and weight loss goal. The average amount of expected weight loss varies with each surgery type: Lap Band Procedure: 50% of excess weight Sleeve Gastectomy: 60 % of excess weight Gastric Bypass: 70% of excess weight Revisional Surgery: case specific Hitting the target weight loss and exceeding weight loss expectations No matter which bariatric surgery is right for you, how quickly to jump into a healthy lifestyle directly affects how much total weight you are most likely to lose. Weight loss after bariatric surgery is very much a window of opportunity. The fastest weight loss is typically in the first 6-9 months and gradually decreases over the next 6-9 months to stabilize around 18 to 24 months post-op. That being understood, there are some ways you can... Read More

Finding Ways To Exercise With Children

October 17, 2012

Exercise is an integral part of life after bariatric surgery. Exercise helps you reach your target goals by getting past those nasty plateaus and also helps you maintain your hard-earned weight loss. Further, it makes you stronger and has been proven to make you happier (thanks to copious amounts of endorphins released while you sweat it out). Pre-operatively, exercise is encouraged to reduce operative risk. Patients who exercise regularly are also much more satisfied with the results of their bariatric procedure, regardless if they had a Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy or Lap-Band. You hear us talk about exercise all the time. “Join our Bariatric Exercise Program!” “Participate in our Connecticut walk for charity!” “We had so much fun at Aqua-Zumba class! Why did you not show up?” Maybe it was because you have children and find it hard to take the time to exercise. Let’s look at some options that you may find helpful: Walk – if you have a child of stroller age, then walking may be a good option for you. Invest in a good stroller that... Read More

Walking from Obesity

September 7, 2012

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise that most bariatric patients can do before, and especially after weight loss surgery. Walking may be difficult before bariatric surgery and you may not be able to go far at first. Be assured that you will get stronger and that you will surprise yourself by what you will be able to accomplish. We encourage all persons who are considering weight loss surgery to start walking daily. After surgery, walking is often the first form of exercise that most patients do on a daily basis. How do you take the first step? Don the gear. Pick sun hats and rain jackets that are breathable to keep you comfortable. Ensure that you are wearing comfortable and supportive walking shoes. Wearing shoes like flip-flops or ill-fitting shoes can cause injury to feet and ankles and cause leg and back pain. If you have pain in your feet, consult a podiatrist to help you put your best foot forward and enable you to enjoy walking. Plan your route. At first, you may just be walking to your... Read More

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