What You Can Do To Boost Your Immunity After Bariatric Surgery

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought renewed awareness to the importance of a healthy immune system to fight off germs and disease. Due to the changes that occur in the body after bariatric surgery, patients should be particularly proactive about taking measures to boost immunity.

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought renewed awareness to the importance of a healthy immune system to fight off germs and disease. Due to the changes that occur in the body after bariatric surgery, patients should be particularly proactive about taking measures to boost immunity.

Read on as Dr V. Kuzinkovas, Sydney specialist bariatric surgeon at Advanced Surgicare, explains what you can do to improve the functioning of your immune system after bariatric surgery.

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

The first immune-strengthening strategy you should take is to include vitamin-rich foods in your daily diet. Vitamin C, found in fruits and vegetables like oranges, grapefruits, papaya, red bell peppers and broccoli, is particularly helpful in fighting against bacteria. The same is true for vitamin D, which is found in foods like salmon and mushrooms, and zinc, which you can get from eating shellfish (e.g., clams, crab, shrimp). Garlic and ginger are also believed to help fight infections.

Limit Simple Sugars and Refined Carbohydrates

As a bariatric surgery patient, you are probably used to avoiding bread, cake, cookies and other sweets. Keep it up! Refined carbohydrates and simple sugars feed unhealthy bacteria and yeast in the gut, which can lead to weakened immunity.

Prioritize Exercise

Physical activity has been shown to boost immunity. Even activities like walking and swimming are good for building up your body’s defense system. If you are looking to get physical activity into your day without leaving the house, try walking up and down stairs for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day, or doing a live-stream strength workout.

Minimize Sources of Stress

Another meaningful way to boost immunity is by minimizing sources of stress and anxiety. In these uncertain times, it is tremendously important to manage stress through activities such as yoga, regular exercise, deep breathing and mindful meditation. Hopping on a Skype call with a friend, watching a comedy special on Netflix or playing with a pet are also helpful ways to manage stress.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Quality sleep is crucial to immune function. Luckily, if you are eating a healthy diet, getting lots of exercise and keeping stress to a minimum, sleep should come naturally. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night.

Contact Advanced Surgicare

For more tips on boosting immunity after bariatric surgery and in times of stress, contact Dr Kuzinkovas and the team at Advanced Surgicare today. They are here for you.