Managing an Injury After Bariatric Surgery

As much as bariatric surgery is a physically life-changing procedure, losing weight doesn’t make you immune to physical problems, including injuries. No matter how hard we try, renewed use of our muscles will eventually result in some form of aches, pains, or injury.

Minor injuries can occur when starting new activities, such as walking, running, or going to the gym. Muscles that have been deactivated and atrophied take time to regain their prior function. Furthermore, the desire to supercharge our results often leads to overworking our bodies. Lastly, as we age, our bodies are less adaptable to exercise than in our younger years. Ramping up too fast or lifting too heavy can easily sideline us for weeks.

How can you prepare if you are injured? Does your exercise routine have to come to a halt?

Modify, Don’t Quit

First, remember that maintaining muscle mass is critical. Typically, when we are injured, it’s limited to a specific part of the body—either the upper or lower body. Rarely do we injure both at the same time. Therefore, if you have an injury to one area, rest it, but continue working the other.

• Lower-body injury: If you hurt a knee or ankle, switch to seated upper-body workouts (dumbbells, chest press, back exercises).
• Upper-body injury: If you hurt a shoulder or wrist, focus on walking, recumbent biking, or leg presses.

We understand that an injury is frustrating, and it can be tempting to give up. Unfortunately, that only serves to lose momentum.

Diet and Hydration Modification

If you are sidelined and cannot work out as vigorously as before, be sure to adjust your diet. You generally cannot maintain the same calorie intake as you did when you were burning significantly more energy at the gym.

• Cut the Carbs, Keep the Protein: Reduce your caloric intake slightly without sacrificing protein. Your body needs protein to repair the injury.
• Hydrate: Maintaining good water-drinking habits is vital for healing tissues and reducing inflammation.
• Speak to your bariatric surgeon, PA, nurse, or nutritionist about supplements that can help with recovery and inflammation.

The Plateau Factor

Plateaus are common even when you do not injure yourself, so don’t be discouraged if your weight loss stalls while you are recovering. Maintaining your weight through an injury is an achievement in itself. Many before you have given up, regained weight, and had to start over. Don’t let a temporary injury become a permanent setback.

Recover Aggressively

It’s important to get back on track as fast as possible. When we say “recover aggressively,” we mean taking your recovery seriously.

1. The RICE Method: For most minor injuries, use Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
2. Professional Help: If your doctor recommends a physical therapist (PT), attend your appointments and complete the assigned exercises. It will get you back on track sooner and reduce the likelihood of re-injury.
3. Analyze the Cause: Did you have poor form? Did you lift too much too fast? Or was it just bad luck? Understanding why you got injured helps you prevent it next time.

The Bottom Line

Injuries are an unfortunate but unavoidable consequence of an active lifestyle. Fortunately, most are mild and will heal with patience. You will be able to get back to it after an appropriate amount of rest. But remember: don’t rush back into 100% effort, or you risk re-injury. Contact your bariatric surgeon or a sports medicine specialist whenever you experience a setback to discuss the best course of action.