B.E.L.T. Exercise Program
Walk at least every hour while you are awake. This gets you ready for life after gastric bypass. If you have returned to work and are mostly sitting at a desk, get up and walk around for 5 minutes every hour. If you are taking a long drive, stop for walking breaks every hour.
You are starting out either on a clear liquid diet or full liquid diet depending on the surgery you had and your specific circumstances. Take small sips or bites and chew. Yes, chew even the liquids! Your goal is 2 to 3 meals each day consisting of primarily protein. A protein drink is considered a meal in those first few weeks after surgery. Refer to your nutrition guide and feel free to call or email the dietician with any questions. Also, be sure to schedule your post surgery appointment with the dietician. This is a part of your surgery program and will serve to help you advance your diet.
When you’re not eating, remember to drink that water! Work your way up to 64 ounces every day by taking small sips as often as possible.
You were given an incentive spirometer in the hospital and shown how to use it before surgery. We encourage you to continue using this every day until you see your doctor in the office for your post-op visit.
This varies depending on the type of surgery you had and any other individual issues.
In addition to the basic walking that you begin the same day as surgery, we encourage you to resume exercising 30 minutes every day. It can be as simple as walking or as complex as you choose.
Our program includes an optional post-operative exercise program – BELT (Bariatric Exercise and Lifestyle Transformations) through UNC-Greensboro. Participants receive personalized exercise instruction. The goals of the program are to teach patients proper exercise techniques and to give them confidence in maintaining proper physical activity habits throughout their lifespan.
BELT is currently open to patients who are at least 6 weeks post operative.
Onsite Option:
- Directly supervised exercise program consists of 20 minutes of strength training, 30 minutes of cardiovascular endurance exercise and 5-10 minutes of cool down/stretching.
- Located on UNCG’s campus
Register or learn more by calling 336-334-4643 or emailing belt@uncg.edu
Patients come to us from High Point, Kernersville, Winston-Salem, Burlington, Greensboro and close-by locations. so you can review what life after bariatric surgery entails.
BELT Program
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