Can Lifting Weights Worsen My Parastomal Hernia?

I am curious about something. My surgeon told me, even if my parastomal hernia doesn't get fixed when my incisional hernias get fixed that after the 4 week recovery time I should be able to lift weights and do abdominal exercises. This doesn't make sense to me. Won't this exacerbate my parastomal hernia? How can I just go back to lifting weights? Can't this also make a recurrence of the incisional hernias? Or once the mesh is in there is it not possible for a recurrence?

You're very lucky your surgeon is very good, yes they're right... To be honest, after any hernia repair, there's always going to be a high risk of getting stuck with another, whatever we do or don't do, and there's more risk from just one sneeze or cough than from lifting any weights. I remember an ex-member of this group sneezing in the hospital a few days after hernia repair and it causing another one... The best thing you can do for yourself is to get back in the gym, lift weights, do core exercises, and cardio workouts.

That's good advice.

For those with ileos like myself, and a few colostomy members who have hernias...say...

The results of a successful repair depend on a number of factors.

Some members need the repair.

Others say if it's not troublesome, leave it be.

The repair being dubbed a "crap shoot" is enough to make me just walk instead of exercise if I decided a repair was necessary.

THATS ME.

 

There are enough members with failed repairs and still going on 2nd or 3rd repairs afterwards.

I'd rather take the odds at Vegas than attempt any exercise other than walking.

In the 8 yrs with this alien spud and hernia...I'm careful. I have moved from 2 houses, doing a lot of lifting, pushing, packing... I should not have done.

I'm in no pain. I walk. I work.

I have a hernia. Likely will take it to my grave.

The title is lifting. I say don't do it. Wear a belt. 2 if need be.

I believe that incisional hernias are far more likely to be dangerous than parastomal hernias. Therefore, there may be a medical need to fix the incisional hernias that might not be as pressing for the parastomal hernia.

Exercise and lifting to improve your core strength will help prevent the hernias from getting worse. They can also cause a repair to fail or a new hernia. It's a toss-up.

Be very careful. Lift for improved endurance rather than to build strength. Include some cardio that doesn't stress the abdomen too much ... walking and swimming come to mind. I'd actually consider consulting with a trainer and getting some professional advice.

If you want to be a weightlifting champion, then take the risk. If you don't, then just do small exercises like walking, 1/2 sit-ups, but take it easy. I got my repair for a parastomal hernia after just sitting up to get out of bed. It's up to you, but think it through. IGGIE

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

I'm in trouble then because I sneezed 7 times in a row this morning. Geez. I just don't want to make the parastomal hernia worse just because she says I can lift after 4 weeks of the midline hernia repair.

I can't wear a belt my ostomy is up very high. Nearly under my boob. That makes wearing a belt not really a possibility. I am reluctant to lift even if the doc says I can. I don't want another hernia or to make my existing ones worse.

 

I don't want to lift weights like a champion; I just want to carefully do some exercise other than biking all the time. I used to love the leg press. I haven't been able to do that one in over a year now. I'd like to be able to use some of the equipment at the gym within reason. My question is, is that within reason? The doctor says yes, even if she can't fix the parastomal hernia. I say no.

Yeah she said she has to fix the incisional hernia because there is a loop of intestine stuck in it and it could cause some serious problems. I don't really have a choice not to fix it she said.