Safe Exercise Tips for Post-Ostomy Surgery Recovery

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pgtwilliams
Jul 27, 2018 8:07 pm

On Feb 3 this year (my 42nd wedding anniversary no less) I had emergency surgery due to ruptured diverticula caused by abdominal scar tiss may decades ago from ectopic pregnancy. To allow for full recovery, they completed a colonostomy.  After 4 months (in May) my colon was reconnected to my recutum.  To heal from this procedure it was necessary to make the colonostomy and ileostomy.  They used the same stoma so my small intestines are pulled to the left side (and this feels strange and uncomfortable at times).  I am an active 50+ and would like to be as proactive as I can.  Is there any safe exercises anyone can share who has gone through something similar?

iMacG5
Sep 02, 2018 7:41 pm

Hi Pgtwilliams. I'm thinking the exercises you're alluding to are for core strengthening. I'm a 77+ year old guy with a colostomy, so my stuff is different from yours. I have the same concerns about core strength but want to avoid a hernia. I walk a couple of miles almost every day and do deep breathing and stretching exercises when I remember. Beyond that, I don't avoid lifting stuff like cases of water, watermelons, huge grocery bags, and the like, but I'm careful to use my legs rather than my back and gut muscles.

Hope you get more input.

Respectfully,

Mike

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