The fact that many of us don’t know is that traditional Indian treatment methods like yoga and Ayurveda can be highly beneficial for patients who have undergone bariatric and hernia surgeries. They aid in quicker recovery and long-term health maintenance post-surgery. However, these healthy practices should be integrated into daily life, as suggested by a healthcare expert. The holistic nature of these approaches can enhance the effectiveness of regular medical methods.
What is bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a surgical procedure performed to treat obesity and manage some health conditions related to obesity. This surgical process alters the anatomy of the stomach to achieve weight-loss goals. Bariatric surgery is suggested for patients whose BMI is high and when other weight loss treatments fail to help them lose weight.
What is hernia surgery?
Hernia surgery is a surgical process to repair the hernia—a protrusion of internal organs or tissues through a weak abdominal wall that holds them. The main intent of this surgery is to push the protruded contents back into their place.
Here are a few points on how yoga and Ayurveda can be beneficial for patients after surgery:
The role of yoga in post-surgery recovery
Gentle physical activity
Yoga is all about asanas and low-impact exercises. The gentle movements and stretchings in the exercises improve flexibility and strength, especially after surgeries without stress.
Stress relief
Deep breathing and meditation are important practices in yoga that help reduce stress and anxiety. Lowering stress levels and promoting overall well-being are important aspects of post-surgery recovery, and they might be achieved with yoga.
Strengthening core muscles
Certain poses in yoga help to strengthen and stabilize the core muscles. Especially for patients recovering from bariatric and hernia surgeries, this will be an added advantage for overall body support.
Breath Control (Pranayama):
Pranayama is a kind of breathing exercise that helps to improve the functions of the lungs and respiratory system. Bariatric patients can reap more benefits from pranayama because they can overcome breathing problems that may be experienced after surgery.
Mobility and range of motion are improved
Bariatric surgery and hernia surgery are major surgical procedures that might require prolonged bed rest. In such cases, certain poses in yoga help to regain and improve lost mobility after surgery.
The role of Ayurveda in post-surgery recovery
Nutrition
In Ayurveda, experts focus on nutrition tailored to the patient’s needs and their constitution (dosha). A customized diet plan post-surgery helps the patient with long-term weight management.
Herbal Support
Certain herbs in Ayurveda support proper digestion, reduce inflammation, and improve overall health. Your surgeon might recommend an ayurvedic doctor so that he can guide you in safely adding herbs to your post-surgery recovery program.
Detoxification (Panchakarma)
Detoxification methods like panchakarma in Ayurveda might help you flush out the toxins from the body. Gentle detox practices are introduced gradually over time in the recovery process. Intense detoxification immediately post-surgery is not recommended.
Lifestyle modifications
In Ayurveda, certain lifestyle modifications insisted on by the Ayurvedic expert, like sleep patterns, regular exercise, and daily routines, are very important to maintain overall health.
Yoga and Ayurveda might not be suggested immediately post-surgery, but they might be part of your recovery plan later. So, it is best to consult your surgeon before practising yoga or Ayurveda. This approach ensures that these approaches are suitable for the patient according to their health status and stage of recovery.
Yoga and Ayurveda both focus on the mind-body connection. Integrating these holistic practices into patients’ post-surgery recovery plans addresses both mental and emotional well-being.
After bariatric surgery or hernia surgery, mindful approaches to integrating yoga and Ayurveda into the post-surgery recovery plan are important. When mindfully applied, they are an excellent way to improve physical health, reduce stress & anxiety, improve overall well-being, and speed up the recovery process.
If you are looking for a hernia surgeon in Hyderabad, consult Dr. Venugopal Pareek, one of the best laparoscopic and bariatric surgeons in Hyderabad. He has nearly 20 years of experience and is the best weight loss surgeon in Hyderabad.
