How to Actually Stay Healthy Among the COVID-19 Pandemic

The information presented in this post is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not replace advice from a medical professional. Please consult a medical professional prior to starting any new diet or exercise program. I am not a medical professional nor a fitness trainer. Every effort is made to ensure the information presented in the following post is accurate and true. Always follow your doctor’s instructions and advice first and foremost. Post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please read my full terms of use, disclosure policy and privacy policy by clicking on the appropriate links.

The COVID-19 pandemic has swept the entire world. Countries are shutting down. Schools are closing. Sports have been canceled. Events are being rescheduled. It’s easy to start feeling panicked in situations like these. However, by following a few guidelines, you can protect yourself and your family as best as possible. As a bariatric patient, whether you’re pre-op or post-op, it is more important now than ever to follow the basic habits of a bariatric lifestyle. Stay healthy among the COVID-19 pandemic by washing your hands, avoiding large crowds and disinfecting surfaces.

Most of the information in this article is found from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. This post was last updated on March 14, 2020. Information provided is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to prevent, treat, diagnose or cure any diseases.

COVID-19

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 is a shortened form of the proper term for a new virus. It stands for COrona VIrus Disease-19. This virus began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. At first, they thought the disease was spread from animals since this epicenter had a large live animal and seafood market. However, as the virus spread across the world with no access to live animals or seafood, it indicates that it is likely spread from person to person.

Most of the cases are mild, but some cases are severe and lead to death. The people with a higher risk are those who are older or those of any age with underlying health conditions. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, which means a new virus emerged, infected people and is easily spread in a global outbreak. Many people around the world are being affected, not only from the virus itself, but from schools, organizations, events, sporting events, religious meetings and other places closing down to slow the spread of the virus. Staying healthy among the COVID-19 pandemic is of great concern to many people throughout the world.

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What are the Symptoms of COVID-19?

The symptoms of COVID-19 appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. The most common symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you are having trouble breathing or have chest pain and have been exposed to someone know to have COVID-19, please contact your local hospital and follow their instructions for how to proceed. The CDC states that your immediate risk of being exposed to the virus is low. However, the following people have an elevated risk of being exposed to the virus:

• Communities with a growing number of people infected by COVID-19
• Healthcare workers caring for people infected by COVID-19
• Close contact with people infected by COVID-19
• International travelers, particularly from China, Iran, South Korea and most of Europe

There are currently no vaccines or treatments for the COVID-19 virus. Staying healthy among the COVID-19 pandemic is especially important. As a bariatric patient, following the guidelines of a bariatric lifestyle, like drinking plenty of water, getting enough rest, eating your vegetables and taking your vitamins, will help you stay healthy during this pandemic. There’s no guarantee that you won’t get the virus, and the CDC states that most people will get it. However, by doing the things that normally keep you healthy, you can give your body a fighting chance.

Screening Questions

If you go to a healthcare facility soon, many, if not all, are going to be asking you some COVID-19 screening questions. They are asking these questions to protect you, themselves and others. If you have a positive screening, you may be escorted to a quarantined room until further testing can be completed. Some questions you may be asked are:

• Have you or a close contact traveled outside the country in the last 21 days? If so, to where?
• Have you been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19?
• Have you developed any respiratory symptoms in the last 48 hours?

Since this virus is spread from person-to-person, you’d need to either have traveled internationally or come in close contact with someone who has the virus to possibly have COVID-19. If you develop a regular cold during this time, you may be worried if you contracted the COVID-19 virus. The best thing you can do is contact your primary care doctor for advice. Alternatively, many hospitals and health care facilities offer virtual medicine appointments where you can have a video chat with a doctor through an app on your phone, and they can even send prescriptions to your pharmacy. If you can’t leave your house, this may be a great option for you.

What COVID-19 Means for Bariatric Patients

Bariatric patients always get concerned when they are sick. Since you can’t take NSAIDs after bariatric surgery for the risk of ulcers, it can sometimes be difficult to know which medicines you can take when you’re sick. The Obesity Action Coalition has a great article that details information about medicines you can and can’t take as a bariatric patient. Some common cold medications you can take are Benedryl, Dimetapp, Robitussin, Sudafed, Triaminic and Tylenol Cold Products. Stay healthy by drinking lots of water, taking your vitamins, exercising and avoiding sick people.

RELATED CONTENT: Want to learn the 10 changes you need to make in your life to be successful with bariatric surgery? Get our free download here!

Please note, if your bariatric surgery is scheduled in the next few weeks or months, be extra vigilant about staying healthy. Do whatever you can to avoid people and crowds, especially if the virus is growing in your community. If you get sick, your surgery will be delayed. Additionally, if the disease continues to grow, many health care facilities may postpone or cancel elective surgeries until this crisis passes. I know it would be extremely disappointing to delay your surgery after you’ve worked so hard to get here. However, health care facilities may need the room to care for people with the COVID-19 virus, and you wouldn’t want to be there anyway. It doesn’t mean you’ll never have surgery, it just means it could be delayed a little while longer. You’ll want to do your best to stay healthy during this time.

Staying Healthy Among the COVID-19 Pandemic

The CDC has several recommendations on staying healthy among the COVID-19 pandemic. First and foremost, wash your hands with hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds. The LA Times posted an article with 10 songs that have a 20-second chorus you can sing to time yourself. I’ve been singing the chorus to Sisqo’s Thong Song when I wash my hands lately:

She had dumps like a truck, truck, truck
Thighs like what, what, what
Baby move your butt, butt, butt
I think I’ll sing it again

She had dumps like a truck, truck, truck
Thighs like what, what, what
All night long
Let me see that thong

If soap and water aren’t available, you can use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Besides washing your hands and smiling while you’re singing the chorus of a popular song, you should also try to remain six feet apart from people. Some other suggestions from the CDC are:

• Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with sick people
• If the virus is spreading in your community, put distance between yourself and others
• If you are sick, stay home, except to get medical care
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, discard the tissue, then wash your hands for at least 20 seconds
• Wear a face mask if you are sick and around other people or if you caring for a sick person. If you are healthy and around other healthy people, it’s not necessary to wear a face mask

For More Information

I strive to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information in every post I write here. However, this virus is going to be changing minute-by-minute. As a one-woman show with a full-time job at a healthcare facility, there is no way I am going to be able to keep up and continually provide you with the latest information. I strongly suggest that you listen to the advice given by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. These organizations have the resources to provide you with up-to-date information on the latest news with COVID-19.

Quarantine Ideas

If you are quarantined, whether because you have been exposed by the virus or for your own safety’s sake, I have a few ideas to help you through this time. I’ve decided to avoid the gym to avoid possible contamination and will be continuing my workouts from home. Many gyms may be closing anyway during this time, which is why working out from home is always a good option.

Instead of looking at quarantine as a “lock-up,” look at it as an opportunity to reconnect with your family, spend quality time with your kids, refocus on your healthy lifestyle and spend some time being grateful for all the positive things in your life. Some ideas to beat the quarantine boredom are:

• Exercise at home
• Prepare some healthy meals
• Play board games with your kids
• Rest
• Get plenty of sleep
• Give yourself a pedicure or facial
• Meditate
• Read
• Spend time with the Lord
• Write
• Color
• Start a budget and stick to it
• Do some crafts
• Have your kids help you make some homemade treats
• Create some weight loss trackers

Most of All: Don’t Panic

Stay healthy among the COVID-19 pandemic by washing your hands, avoiding large crowds and disinfecting surfaces. The COVID-19 pandemic is scary. There’s no telling what could happen. But please, don’t panic and buy nine months’ worth of toilet paper and baby wipes. Some people who are legitimately running low and can’t find the supplies because others insist on hoarding them. Rest assured that the medical community is actively trying to slow and stop the spread of the virus. It’s more important now than ever to remain as healthy as possible by following many of the bariatric habits in the first place. Wash your hands often, avoid sick people and drink lots of water. Reconnect with yourself and your family if you’re quarantined. We will get through this pandemic, stronger than ever!

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