With any weight-loss plan, exercise plays a key role. Not only does exercise help reduce fat, but it tones muscles, give a person more energy, and help the person feel better. Weight loss achieved through surgery is no exception. Surgery does not work all by itself. It is critical that a patient adhere to a daily routine of exercise and a carefully planned diet.

Some obese patients find that exercise is difficult. Obesity can cause shortness of breath and can make a person feel very tired. After weight-loss surgery, the doctor will carefully assess the patient to find out when it is best to start exercising. Depending on the type of weight-loss surgery, this can take anywhere from four to six weeks after surgery. After that time, it is important for the patient to find an exercise program that he or she finds easy to stick to and that he or she can work on at his/her own pace. An exercise routine should start out slow and, as the weight comes off, can be gradually increased.

There are several reasons why weight-loss surgery patients should add exercise to their routine. The main reason is to aid in weight loss. A patient who has had weight-loss surgery will already be taking in fewer calories, but exercise improves the end results of the surgery. Using an exercise routine can help a patient increase energy levels and boost metabolism. When one has a good metabolism, he or she can burn calories faster than before.

Another big reason to include exercise every day following weight-loss surgery is that exercise can reduce the need for plastic surgery (to remove excess skin). Many weight-loss surgery patients find that, after losing so much weight in a short period of time, they have excess skin. This can be anywhere on the body--including on the on the buttocks, back of the arms, and in the abdominal area. Plastic surgery can remove excess skin from these areas, but it is only an option after a year following the surgery. With daily exercise, the skin has a better chance of molding to the body gradually. This is one huge benefit of exercising following weight-loss surgery.

When it is time to decide what kind of exercise is best, a patient should consider the type that they will enjoy the most. This will make it easier to stick to the routine. Walking is a good start for most people. Many people stay motivated by carrying a small radio or CD player while working out. Working out with a friend can also increase your motivation and help you stay on track. It is usually recommended that patients begin their exercise routine with a daily walk. This should be done at least five times a week for 20 minutes a day. As the body adjusts to the weight loss and exercise, patients should add other aerobic activities. Some beneficial exercises might include swimming, golfing, biking, and working out on machines at the gym.

Exercise is the key to getting the body that you want after weight-loss surgery--not just in appearance, but in performance as well.