Best Core Exercises for Beginners After Ostomy Surgery

Hi everyone,  

I'm almost four months post-ileostomy surgery, and I'm looking to start rebuilding my core strength. I haven't been able to exercise for years, so I'm starting from scratch and want to be really careful.  

One of my biggest concerns is overdoing it and increasing my risk of a hernia. I know core strength is important, but I'm not sure what exercises are safe to begin with.  

For those of you who have been through this, what gentle core exercises worked best for you in the early stages? Did you have guidance from a physical therapist, or were there any specific movements you avoided?  

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!  

Thanks in advance!  

Hi Clara,

I highly recommend clinical Pilates classes that Sarah Russell of the Ostomy Studio runs.

There's a video on the UOAA site with some core exercises that I've been using.

https://www.ostomy.org/vlog-core-exercises-with-an-ostomy/

Thank you so much, Susan. This is super helpful.

Thanks, Henry. I've never heard of Sarah Russell or the Ostomy Studio, but I will check it out.

My Ostomy Journey: Jearlean | Hollister

I do lots of core exercises, and I think a key to not getting a hernia for me is that I always wear a support belt when I'm doing them. I use a NuHope ostomy support belt with a prolapse cover. Even though I don't have a prolapse, the prolapse cover is more for peace of mind and prevention, I guess :)

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Hi Clara

The below site is useful when exercising with a stoma:

I agree with Bri499 - wear a support belt.

https://www.clinimed.co.uk/resources/discover-breathing-and-movements-for-your-patients/

Hi Clara, I know it has been mentioned. Sarah Russell's Ostomy Studio has helped me get back to the level of Pilates I could do prior to the op. Many of the early exercises are free (I think), and 1-2-1 sessions are available. I practice a short form of Pilates three times a week now to keep my strength up. I can lift things with confidence now, whereas I often wondered if I would be able to do so after the surgery.

Thank you for this link. I will check it out.

Good day, Clara! I had my colon removed last April, and breathwork has helped me build my core. Othership is an app that has hundreds of different breathwork exercises and has done wonders for my mental fitness! Good luck.
scot

I've never heard of clinical Pilates. Is this just something that's offered where you live?

Beware of prolapses and para-stomal hernias. They cannot be fixed; I tried three different PTs. One made me worse! My MD recommended a specialist in abdominal issues. They rebuild your core. I now use Rock Valley PT. Lots of elderly people. I have seen many women with incontinence issues. They work on my core weekly and exercises at home. In one year, I can hike and climb twice as high as in my photo. All your strength arises from your core.

Check YouTube for exercises for ostomy patients and see what you can find on there. It's free to do that, and you might find something good. You can search core exercises for ostomies too and see if anything comes up. I do "gentle stretching" from YouTube because I do have hernias. I have 3 incisional hernias and one parastomal hernia. I am getting them fixed in May. Eeek. But hopefully, once that is done, I will be able to use the equipment at the gym. There are a lot of core exercise machines at the gym. If you have a gym nearby, you might check that out. They may also have classes in yoga, which might be a good way to start exercising.

Hello Clara,

It has been a long time since I had my original ileostomy, but I do remember it taking quite a while before I could do anything that strained my abdominal muscles. I would take things slow for a while and be sure to talk with your surgeon. It's a great sign that you are starting to want to exercise, but I think your abdominal muscles may need some more time to heal.

Take care,

Jack

My docs all agreed that walking was a great way to strengthen my abdominals. I did have emergency blockage surgery that ended up with them having to open me up the old-fashioned way, so I had a big old metal zipper down my midline. I'm up to 1.3 miles a day now, and I find that it is working to help me feel better all over.

Walking is my thing also. I missed it so much after my operation. I can manage about a mile, except on days when I'm a bit blocked up, and then I get a stitch-type pain.

Hi ClaraD,

Do you like to swim? I know. I stared at my nurse in the hospital when she suggested it. I was picturing in my mind putting my swimsuit on over my ileostomy pouch. However, she knew that I loved to swim and wanted me to know that having an ileostomy did not change my ability to enter the water and continue to enjoy activities that I did before the surgery. There were some adjustments that had to be made, such as wearing a smaller pouch (I named it my swimmer's pouch) to hide under the suit and a baggier suit. Both were easy. Swimming is non-invasive and provides a terrific full-body workout, building strength and endurance. I also ride a stationary bike to build my cardiovascular health and lung capacity. I've had my ileostomy for 51 years this month, and swimming has kept me feeling healthy and active.