Summer is a great time to focus on exercise and fitness goals, especially for bariatric surgery patients in recovery or maintaining progress on their weight loss journey. Unfortunately, longer days and sunny weather come with high temperatures that can make outdoor activity challenging, especially if you are still adjusting to physical limitations post-surgery.
If you’ve had bariatric surgery, like gastric sleeve or bypass surgery, staying active is vital for long-term success; however, it’s just as important to stay safe in the hot weather and avoid heat-related health issues. Here are some ways you can stay safe, cool, and consistent with your summer workout routine while having plenty of fun this season.
Exercise at the Right Time and Dress for the Heat
Whether you’ve had bariatric surgery or not, this is an important health tip to keep in mind during the hotter months. Temperatures tend to get to their peak in the afternoon when the sun is at its highest, so try to schedule time for exercise during the morning or just before sunset.
The cooler times of day reduce the risk of overheating and protect your skin from sunburn, making it safer to maintain your exercise and fitness routine while still enjoying fun summer exercise activities like swimming, cycling, and hiking.
Also, it is important to choose lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics in light colors. You can also protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen (even if it’s cloudy).
Stay Hydrated–But Smartly
After bariatric surgery, it is important to stay hydrated, but with a smaller stomach, chugging water isn’t ideal or safe. Here is how to stay smartly hydrated during these hot summer months:
- Sip water slowly and consistently throughout the day
- Avoid drinking 30 minutes before or after meals to optimize digestion
- Consider drinks that replenish electrolytes after sweating a lot, but avoid the sugary options
Hydration is essential to weight loss and preventing heat exhaustion as you enjoy exercising outside and other summertime activities.
Choose Low-Impact Outdoor Activities
Low-impact, joint-friendly exercises are ideal for bariatric patients, especially if they are just past the recovery phase. Great summer options include:
- Water aerobics
- Swimming
- Walking in shaded parks
- Outdoor yoga
- Stretching activities
These types of exercises support steady progress in exercise and fitness without being too intensive for a healing body. Patients who have been out of recovery for a long time can try more intensive exercises, but it’s best not to overdo it in the summer heat–keep the hard cardio exercises indoors.
Listen to Your Body and Set Realistic Goals
Always listen to your body’s signals for stress. Do not ignore dizziness, nausea, or fatigue, as these are signs to stop and take time to cool down. If you feel these symptoms of overheating, find some shade and get a cool cloth on your head.
After bariatric surgery, your energy levels and nutritional needs change. Don’t push yourself to exhaustion—gentle consistency beats intensity every time. Set small, achievable goals like increasing step count by 500 each week or committing to 20-minute walks a day. Track your progress and celebrate your wins (even the small ones).
Stay Safe, Stay Active, and Talk to Your Healthcare Team at Birmingham Minimally Invasive
Exercising in the summer after bariatric surgery is not necessarily risky if you take a thoughtful approach to heat, hydration, and which activities you choose to participate in. By staying mindful in this way, you can keep moving toward your weight loss goals confidently while still enjoying all that summer has to offer. Movement is medicine, and staying active all year long is vital to your long-term success.
Before starting any summer exercise program, be sure to consult with your bariatric surgery team at Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery. We can recommend activities suited to your current stage post-op and guide your exercise and fitness plan safely this summer, so you can still have fun.
Continued Care This Summer for Bariatric Surgery Patients at Birmingham Minimally Invasive
When you decide to have weight loss surgery, there is a lot of information to take in and many decisions to be made. Choosing a bariatric surgical center that will be there for you every step of your weight loss journey will ensure you stay on track year-round. To learn more about patient experiences with bariatric surgery or the surgical center at Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery, contact us at (205) 858-1211.
