Special Exercise Plans Help Older Adults Lose Weight After Bariatric Surgery

Studies have shown that older adults who are overweight and opt for weight loss surgery are likely to live longer lives with improved quality of life, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Sometimes adults age 55 and older can face challenges with keeping weight off after surgery including physical restrictions on the types of exercises they can do. However, there are exercise options for patients in this situation, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The NIH’s National Institute on Aging (NIA) recommends that older adults try to participate in four types of exercise to improve function in doing daily activities:

• Balance – to help prevent falls
• Endurance – to help with heart, lung, and circulatory system health
• Flexibility – to help with movement
• Strength – to help strengthen muscles 

If typical exercises don’t work for you, talk to your doctor about other options that might fit your workout plan. Some exercises the NIA recommends include:

• Balance
  • Heel-to-toe walk
  • Standing on one foot while holding a chair
  • Tai chi
• Flexibility
  • Getting down to the floor
  • Getting up off the floor
  • Neck, shoulder, arm, leg, and hip stretches
  • Yoga
• Endurance
  • Chair volleyball
  • Dancing
  • Golf
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Water aerobics
• Strength
  • Arm raises
  • Chair dips
  • Elbow extensions
  • Use of resistance bands
  • Wall pushups 

As with any exercise routine, talk with your doctor before beginning to decide on the right workout plan for you.

For more information about how older adults can overcome challenges after weight loss surgery, talk with your doctor or visit Premier Weight Loss Solutions.