Exercise with an Ileostomy - Preventing Hernia Risks

I have an eight-month-old ileostomy and have started gentle core exercises to prevent a hernia. But even the gentle exercises seem to be creating a hernia. Any suggestions?

Stop. That is my suggestion. You already have a hernia. It's a given as an osty. The question is control over it: belts, wraps.

Do you wear them?

Listen to your body and stop speaking to your doctor or ostomy nurse to make sure it is a hernia, then see what they say about exercise. Even if you have a hernia, unless you have other problems going on, gentle core exercises are normally still good for us. But, as with everything, we're all different and it's always best to listen to professional medical advice.

Hi Ellin,  I'm wondering if you really do have a hernia.  Most ostomates, colostomy or ileostomy, have what is referred to as a 'mound', which is really just what it sounds like, a small elevated area that the stoma sits on.  It usually develops some time after surgery.  Mine took a couple of months and I was concerned that I had a hernia.  My surgeon and ostomy nurse both told me it was not.  If you use some gentle pressure to examine yourself with your fingers, all around your ostomy, if you have a hernia, you will feel it.  If you can't feel anything unusual, you are probably fine.  I don't believe that a hernia is a given if you are careful.  I'm four years in and I believe that the exercises I do have prevented me from developing one.  Having said all that, seeing your doctor or ostomy nurse might be a good idea to put your mind at rest.

Terry

Hi Ellen, stop the core exercise and just walk, but during your walks, stop and lift your leg up, bending it at the knee. Take a few steps, then do the other leg. Don't use your hands to pull the knee up; this also helps with balance.

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