Exercise and Improved Outcomes in Bariatric Surgery Patients

Authors

Kirsten Gurtowsky, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Internal Medicine

Advisor

Dr. Tom Colletti, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this article is to review the addition of exercise to the perioperative requirements for patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Methods: A PubMed literature search was conducted with search terms “bariatric surgery” and “exercise.” This produced 1,476 results. After adding in the criteria of free full-text articles written within the last 5 years, the results were reduced to 267. This was further reduced after applying the terms “preoperative exercise” and “postoperative exercise.”

Results: When exercise guidelines are given to patients in the perioperative period, they are effective in reducing post-surgical adverse events and improving long-term weight loss in the postoperative period.

Conclusions: Bariatric surgery remains the only long-term treatment for obesity. Patients undergoing this procedure have strict preoperative and postoperative requirements. However, these requirements do not include exercise before or after bariatric surgery procedures. Studies show that the addition of exercise to bariatric surgery requirements can lead to maintenance of long-term weight loss. This results in decreased insulin resistance and improved cardiovascular outcomes. Although studies show that exercise can lead to better surgical outcomes, further research needs to be done on the optimal amount and type of exercise. This can aid in the development of set guidelines on perioperative exercise for bariatric surgery patients.

Key words: Bariatric, Surgery, Exercise

Recommended Citation

Gurtowsky K. Exercise and Improved Outcomes in Bariatric Surgery Patients. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2021; 4(1).