Being Active

Back to Waiting Well: Preparing yourself for surgery

Patients who are fitter, recover from surgery faster and have less complications. Increasing your activity levels will also help you eat better, sleep better and improve your general wellbeing.

Reasons to be active:

  • Being fitter helps you recover faster
  • Fewer complications, such as infections or bleeding
  • Your body copes with the stress of surgery better

Other reasons to be active

  • Eat better
  • Sleep better
  • Mood is better

 

Small changes can make a big difference. Four weeks of regular activity can improve your experience of surgery.

Increasing your daily activity level by even a small amount can improve your recovery and reduce the risks of surgery.

There are lots of ways to improve your physical fitness before your operation, even if you are already active.

You should do an activity that makes you breathless at least three times a week (aim for a minimum of 150 minutes per week). This can include; brisk walking, cycling, gardening and swimming.

The key is to start slowly and build up your activity over time.

Watch this video by St. George's University Hospital ‘Get Set 4 Surgery’ on increasing your activity levels before surgery:

The Moving Medicine website has a range of information on how to increase your activity before surgery.

You can find information leaflets on:

Apps:

  • NHS apps ‘Active 10’ and ‘Couch to 5K’ can help you set goals and track progress. They can be found on the NHS website. [Free]
  • EXi – prescribe app is an NHS endorsed app which helps pick exercises based on your fitness and medical conditions [subscription]

Exercise videos

  • NHS Fitness Studio has instructor led exercise videos
  • NHS Live Well has a range of exercise guidelines and workouts including sitting and balance exercises.

Local active groups

  • Joining a local walking group or environmental volunteering scheme can give you the support and encouragement to start walking and exercising.
  • Kingston Council has a 12-week structured exercise programme your healthcare team can refer you to. Further information is on the Connected Kingston website.

Stop and ask for medical advice if you develop new problems, including chest pain, dizziness or your heart beat becomes irregular.