Safe Abdominal Exercises for Ostomy Patients

Hello. I am an ostomy patient. I really want to work on my midsection and get it better in shape. I've seen the lay-down exercises online that you can do, but I am interested in doing exercises like sit-ups and leg raises. I have an ostomy hernia belt. It works very well, but I have been apprehensive about trying these exercises because I don't want to cause any damage to myself. I would really appreciate any input on this matter. I bought a Chuck Norris Total Gym 2 years ago and would love to use it. Please... any help would be very appreciated!

Hi jody1974,

You've come to the right place! Our community is full of supportive folks who can offer plenty of advice and encouragement.

When it comes to abdominal exercises with an ostomy, it's great that you're being cautious. Many people find that starting with gentle core-strengthening exercises, like modified planks or seated leg lifts, can be a good way to ease into it. Since you have a hernia belt, that's a great tool to help support your midsection. As for the Chuck Norris Total Gym, you might want to start with low-resistance settings and focus on controlled movements. It's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or a physical therapist who understands your specific situation before diving into new exercises.

Joining this website was one of the best decisions I've made. The shared experiences and advice have truly changed my life for the better. I hope you find it just as helpful!

Hello Jody1974

Given the high number of sponsored ad links on brand search, I guess that perhaps the CNT brand managers company could invest in some helpful hints for those user purchasers who have an abdominal weakness which requires strengthening, not compromising - what do you think?

Maybe your local gym trainer is worth a shot or a physio rehab therapist who understands the musculature compromises we need to address.

I would like to help - but know this is a specialist area where a well-meaning inaccurate observation may do more harm than good.

Perhaps there are some specially trained physio nurse specialists who may share some helpful pointers... but your own specific surgery/ies and time post-op etc should also be taken into account - Perhaps a physical appointment with your GP [or Primary Healthcare Doctor - or equivalent person in the US] may be the best person to ask... and then you can access some particular advice pertinent to your individual circumstance. [not sure whether you are still in hospital post-surgery or writing from home - sometime passed the surgery - for I think it may be the latter and from your reference you have a hernia existing - that you are rightly concerned not to exacerbate?

Good luck - gradual appropriate stretches and exercise is a worthwhile goal - for that equipment does not help idle if you are unable to use it - safely.

But please go gently for it is easy to overstep the mark with enthusiasm when powered up, determined to use your equipment ;-)

Just check before you do stuff, hey :-)

BW

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ waves from the UK ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jayne

Hi Jayne. Thanks for the valuable input. I'm actually looking for someone that is traveling down the same road I am. Take care.

If you have a hernia, I wouldn't suggest you do abdominal exercises. If you have a recent ostomy (less than 3 months), you want to be careful doing sit-ups and things of that nature. Otherwise, I think if you start out slow and gradual, you can probably engage in those activities.

Hi and welcome, You need to be very careful with abdominal exercises. With a colostomy, you have a hole in your gut, slightly bigger than someone with an ileostomy, so even more of a hernia risk. And a hernia is something you really don't want! Sit-ups are a no-no, sorry, but it's just too much stress on those muscles. Leg raises are OK, but one leg at a time, seriously. There are many ostomates on this forum who have hernias they got doing things they thought would be safe. Don't take the chance. Also, as Lee said, don't even start until you are at least a couple of months post-op, and then really slow and gentle to start. Google abdominal exercises for ostomies and you will find some good videos. I know they look wimpy, but this is really where you need to start. Good luck.

Terry

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

Hi. I don't have a hernia, just trying to be cautious. Slow is good. Thanks, happy times to you!

Hello. I'm two years post-op and have no hernia. This belt really contains. So, I'm looking for someone that has used a hernia belt, that's just what they call it, and see what kind of success they have had. Much love!

I lift and move patients in my job. The hernia belts I tried did not give the level of support that I wanted, but I know a lot of very active ostomates use them. I wear a support vest from Vanilla Blush because it works better for me.

Good day, Jody. So you want to be "Chuck Norris" and be the star in a film? Well, keep doing sit-ups and you might get a bit part in a freak movie. Slow and easy does it every time. Regards, IGGIE

If you have no health problems, you can do anything.

Sit-ups are the best thing all of us can do in the fight against trying to prevent hernias.

I used to do standard sit-ups with an ileostomy in my younger days. Now that I'm much older, I do the lazy sit-ups, as I call them, with knees bent, and they are also the recommended safe sit-ups for people with ostomies. Even if you have a hernia, it's recommended to do them to try and slow the growth down or even prevent it from getting any bigger. I go to the gym three times a week and use everything in it. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you to start off doing small amounts and work your way up gradually.

Just an FYI, the jury is still out on whether hernia belts really do much to prevent hernias. They do not replace the abdominal muscle wall. You still need to proceed with caution, but I wish you well in your workouts!

Terry

Hello,

There is no actual evidence that hernia belts prevent hernias.

Convatec offers (free of charge) a very good recovery program for ostomates. Please see the link -

https://www.convatec.ca/ostomy/meplus-services-and-care/meplus-recovery-series/

It is an excellent place to start.

Good luck!

I've had my ileostomy for 20 years with short bowel syndrome and I'm a weightlifter. I do planks for my abs and lots of squats for core strength.

Hi there,

Have you come across Sarah Russell of The Ostomy Studio? She's a clinical Pilates teacher who has an ostomy herself. You can do her classes live online, or purchase recordings. She slowly builds up from post-surgery exercises (this is how I found her for myself), to more and more advanced core exercises. You can definitely build up to things like planks, etc., but she is really an expert on how to do this safely and decrease the chance of getting a hernia. This is her website: https://www.theostomystudio.co.uk

I don't have any commercial interest in this, but I have followed a series of Pilates videos and live online classes with “theostomystudio.co.uk” and can do everything I used to do before my ileostomy.

The teacher has a stoma and understands the issues from experience.

Keep well and get strong.

Jody, are you prolapsed? Beware. Improper exercise can make it bigger. No surgery can properly repair it, so protect your little buddy. I tried PT at two different places and it didn't help mine shrink and my core was poor. I went to a specialist PT that does abdominal work. They help women with incontinences. In 7 months, I made more progress than I did in 4 years. It's called Rock Valley PT and there are others like it.

I can tell you from my own experience that you can do planks. I do them regularly, but I did build up to it first.

Terry

I'm only 6 months in with an ileostomy, but I recommend the hernia prevention core exercises from Collin Jarvis at Stealth Belt. He does a very good video walking you through 10 exercises to build your core. I've found them very helpful.

Thank you, Terry

Ha. No superstar status required here, just looking for opinions.

Hi ferl. What are planks?

My ostomy nurses went ballistic when I suggested planking. No planking, no full sit-ups (only the bent knees kind), no crunches, no chinning, no lifting a full kettle of water. There is a kind of exercise regime to cope with "diastasis recti" or baby bump - a physio who has dealt with women who have given birth and want to recover some of their flat tummy may be helpful.

Stretching out - back straight, legs slightly apart, and arms out-down stretched to rest on a chair - only after careful progression with the bent knees sit-up etc., should this be attempted following abdominal surgery, and then only as supervised by a physio...

I think something of this order - but, Jody, I am no physio, no personal trainer, and no medic - take advice before exercising irresponsibly - for a lot of irreversible damage may be done if moves are not appropriate to your personal circumstances...

Take advice before action.

Hope this helps in the meantime...

Others will pitch in here who are more experienced than me!

BW for good practice

Jayne

Like Terry says - She built up to them first

:-)

J