When can you work core muscles following surgery...?

[edentenley]

Hello all! I am new the this forum, but have gained a lot of information from everyone already!

Anyway, I am 29, diagnosed with Crohn's disease last October (2014) and just had my first surgery on February 12, 2015. I had a severe stricture that they tried medical management with, and then progressed to surgery. I had my terminal ileum, ileocecal valve, and first part of my cecum removed. The surgery went well...for the most part. They started it laprascopically, but could not get to the area due to scar tissue, so I ended up being cut open anyway. They found a chronic abscess and fistula while they were in there too...fun stuff.

Anyway, I'm wondering what people's experiences are for working their core muscles following these types of surgeries. I'm pretty sure I have developed a very small umbilical hernia at one of my incision sites (super bummed about that...messed up my belly button). But I want to strengthen my core. I still have some discomfort in my incision areas after a very busy day (I'm a veterinarian and my days are crazy busy...and I have two young children to chase after).

I just feel like I'm always bloated and distended looking and want to tighten up my core...if possible. But I don't want to mess up anything from my surgery. Any personal experiences or words of wisdom or advice is much appreciated! Thanks!!! :thumright:

 

[24601]

Have you had the go ahead from your surgeon to start any exercise yet? I was always told I should wait for that follow up appointment with the surgeon and see if they gave me the all clear for exercise. I have been at that point at the 6 week mark with one of my surgeries and my surgeon gave me the go ahead to ski. But for various reasons (malnutrition, post-op abscess and no-reason-anyone-can-understand) my other surgeries have taken longer to get well enough for me to be able to exercise - but then I could also tell myself that I just wasn't able to!

I'd get the all clear from the surgeon first and ask specifically about abdominal exercises too if you really want to do that. Normally I'd think it would be a good idea to start with more general exercise and see how you feel and progress from there using feedback from your body as your guide. The bloating and distension can be a sign that your gut is still in an adjustment period after surgery and getting back to working normally - and I think you can even have some swelling at 6 weeks post op, though not everyone does - so it may go away on its own. Exercises working your core muscles can be tricky in general for people with Crohn's so it's something I would say that you should proceed with with caution even without surgery to see how your body responds. I'm one of those Crohnies who has to take it very carefully with abdominal exercise though as they seem to have the ability to make me feel a lot worse. That's not to say that you won't be able to get back to whatever exercise you were doing or to start a new exercise program just take your time and listen to your body.

Hope your recovery continues to go well! And certainly talk to your surgeon if you think you have a hernia.

 

[Grotbags]

I'd err on the side of caution, especially if you already have a hernia.
It takes a surprisingly long time to heal, even if your insicion site looks ok.
I had surgery last December, and it's only now I've stopped feeling tender, I'm planning on using Pilates and Yoga to strengthen my core.

 

[Axelfl3333]

That would be a big no so soon after surgery and especially no if you,ve got a hernia it could end up strangulated it,ll be months even if they sort the hernia quickly.patience I,m afraid

 

[The Real MC]

Be REAL careful with any physical exertions with the abdominal muscles. Doctor should order a sedentary healing period. I never realized how much the abdominal muscles were used in normal everyday stuff. The more you rest, the better they will heal. There's a LOT of muscle tissue to repair. Watch the diet, you will be sedentary and do not want to gain weight. Any weight trainer loads up the protein to repair torn muscles after free weights, protein will also help the healing process after abdominal surgery.

My doctor placed restrictions after my surgery - could not drive a week following, and no lifting no exercise for 7-8 weeks. Stairs were a struggle, and normal things like coughing and sneezing hurt because they stress the abs. Frankly it was a good six months before my ab muscles were back to normal.

 

[BarbJean]

I just had my ileostomy switched from my right to left side on Feb 20 and I get the wanting to start exercising. I am doing modified pilates. I am using some yoga blocks so it isn't as strenuous and only doing about 10 reps and only 1 set.

I am not doing the no pain no gain. I am just doing a little more each day. Good luck.

 

[hawkeye]

I'd ask your surgeon at the follow up. My surgeon mentioned core exercises but that was at the follow up 8 weeks out from surgery.