Get Fit for Surgery

Created on 02nd March 2009

Getting in shape before submitting to the surgeon's scalpel will not only make you fitter and healthier, it can also speed up recovery, as Amy Lindsay discovers. Grab those trainers and read on...

Post-cosmetic surgery procedure, the chances are you'll follow the surgeon's aftercare instructions to the letter, but did you realise that some simple steps pre-treatment could boost your surgery success? Amy Lindsay investigates how getting in the best possible shape and losing a little weight before surgery has a host of benefits.

Not only will being fitter boost your general health and leave you looking and feeling rejuvenated, it will also help you heal, thus minimising your downtime.

Pre-surgery preparation

According to the British Medical Journal, only 28 per cent of women take the recommended amount of exercise each week, despite the fact that regular exercise boosts your medical health, trims off those extra pounds and keeps your heart healthy.

These factors are particularly beneficial if you are preparing for cosmetic surgery, as exercise can help you to heal faster and maintain - or even improve - the results of your op.

Firstly, if you're too heavy, you will be unable to have surgery full stop. Even weight loss surgery candidates need to have a BMI below 45, so you may find that you need to lose a few pounds before undergoing treatment. Taking up some regular exercise is essential to get your body functioning properly pre-surgery, but it's important to build activity levels gradually rather than set yourself unrealistic goals.

"The important thing is to find an activity that you can engage in wholeheartedly," says chartered physiotherapist and personal trainer Jonathan Lewis. "For some this may mean dancing, gardening, walking or cycling. A healthy, active lifestyle of good diet, regular exercise and plenty of sleep will get you in optimum shape - both physically and mentally - before surgery."

There are usually several weeks between your decision to have surgery and your actual surgical date, so if you're planning on a pre-surgery fitness drive, try to allow 6-12 weeks for best results. The exercise doesn't have to be too taxing or time consuming: "Simple exercises, done as little as 30 minutes a day three times a week, have been shown to have a whole host of health benefits," says Louise Parker, exercise consultant at the Hurlingham Clinic.

"Benefits of exercise include increased cardiovascular fitness to strengthen your heart and lungs, better muscle tone, a boosted metabolism, increased bone density, flexibility and mental well-being, as exercise promotes the release of mood enhancing endorphins," adds Parker.

Exercise can also help to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke, cut your risk for developing diabetes and reduce high blood pressure. Phew!

If you supplement a regular fitness routine with a healthy diet packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals (particularly iron), cut out the booze and stop smoking, you should start to feel healthier, fitter and stronger within as little as 4-6 weeks.

Help healing

Good overall fitness is essential in ensuring you heal as quickly as possible. A healthy body will function at its best, which results in less swelling, a lower likelihood of blood clots and other complications, and a stronger immune system.

"Weight training and cardio exercise both contribute to overall good health," says Jamie Baird, head trainer at Agua Spa in London. "Muscles will atrophy (reduce in size) when not being used post-operation, so some weight training before surgery to boost muscle mass will help when it comes to recovery time. Plus, exercise improves your circulation, ensuring that oxygen and nutrients will be efficiently delivered to the area where healing is taking place."

"Whatever the surgery, being in optimal health will ensure a safe and speedy recovery," agrees Lewis. "Any ill-effects from anaesthetic are reduced if you have a healthy heart, lungs and body weight, while being physically strong and mobile allows you to get up and around sooner. Both stretching exercises and weight training before surgery will help to enhance your posture and your strength in the weeks following surgery."

In addition to helping with healing, an effective exercise programme can also improve the results of your surgical procedure. If you are opting for anti-ageing surgery, being in good physical shape can actually improve the condition of your skin.

"Exercise improves circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, flushing away potentially damaging toxins, and boosting collagen production, which will help to keep wrinkles and lines at bay," explains Baird. "In addition, the sweat that accompanies a good cardiovascular workout will help to unclog pores, leading to a clearer complexion."

If you are electing to have weight loss surgery, such as liposuction, keeping fit will not only help to speed up your recovery, it will also maintain and even enhance the results of your procedure to prevent stubborn fat returning. A good cardio workout gets the blood pumping round your body to increase circulation, which prevents cellulite, as well as burning a cake's worth of calories.

A 'Get Fit for Surgery' program in an Australian hospital found that those who got in shape before surgery had a shorter hospital stay, reduced complications by 20 per cent and meant less need for rehabilitation.

Starting six weeks before surgery, the patients attended a fitness and education program, including weight training and light exercise four times a week, supplemented with information sessions on how to get fit and recuperate well. In addition to shorter hospital stays and fewer complications, the patients also reported a more positive attitude and reduced anxiety.

"Exercise will always leave a person feeling brighter, happier and with an increase in energy due to the boost in circulation and release of feel-good hormones," says Parker.

"The positive body image that result from the combination of the surgical treatment and being in great shape will most certainly improve self esteem and confidence."

Post-surgery fitness

People tend to put on weight after surgery as their activity levels drop. As such, coupling some light exercise with a balanced diet is essential to maintain results. If done with proper technique, exercise can help by increasing flexibility, strengthening muscles, stabilizing the joints and keeping the cardiovascular system functioning effectively.

While light exercise following surgery is usually recommended to help speed up recovery, you should always consult your practitioner before hitting the gym.

"You must consult your surgeon about recommended rest periods," says Parker. "Light exercise can help with the healing process, but you must not undertake strenuous exercise routines. Your surgeon will most likely suggest a walking routine soon after surgery to aid recovery, boost circulation and tone your muscles, but weight bearing exercise should be avoided for a few weeks."

"How soon you can resume exercise depends on the procedure that you've had and the advice from your surgeon," agrees Baird. "It is important to listen to the advice of the experts and at the same time listen to your body. Don't expect to rush back into your old fitness program straight away, build back up slowly and at a sensible pace."