Feasibility and Impact of a Combined Supervised Exercise and Nutritional-Behavioral Intervention following Bariatric Surgery: A Pilot Study

Background. lifestyle intervention programs after bariatric surgery have been suggested to maximise health outcomes. this pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility and impact of an 8-week combined supervised exercise with nutritional-behavioral intervention following roux-en-y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. methods. eight female patients (44 ± 8 years old,bmi = 38.5 ± 7.2 kgm-2) completed the program. before and after intervention,anthropometric measures,six-minute walk test (6mwt),physical activity level,eating behavior,and quality of life (qol) were assessed. percentage weight loss (%wl) outcomes were compared with a historical matched control group. results. the program significantly improved functional capacity (mean increment in 6mwt was 127 ± 107 meters,p = 0.043),increased strenuous intensity exercise (44 ± 49 min/week,p = 0.043),increased consumption of fruits and vegetables (p = 0.034),reduced consumption of ready meals (p = 0.034),and improved change in health in qol domain (p = 0.039). the intervention group exhibited greater %wl in the 3-12-month postsurgery period compared to historical controls,12.2 ± 7.5% versus 5.1 ± 5.4%,respectively (p = 0.027). conclusions. lifestyle intervention program following bariatric surgery is feasible and resulted in several beneficial outcomes. a large randomised control trial is now warranted. © 2015 friedrich c. jassil et al.