Pilates Post-Ostomy Surgery: Safe Movements to Consider?

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crossley8
Jul 06, 2018 7:23 pm

Have any of you done Pilates after your ostomy surgery? I am 7 months out from my surgery and am going back to Pilates for the first time today. I have been doing some walking and some physical therapy, but this will be my first time at Pilates since my surgery. Are there certain movements I should avoid, such as bending and twisting, for fear of dislodging my pouch? Many thanks for any help.

Past Member
Jul 07, 2018 1:37 pm

I am 8 months since my surgery. I asked my doctor if I could start going to the gym and exercising again, and he said yes but take it slow.

Posted by: iMacG5

About seven years ago, just about every aspect of my life was ostomy related. From the moment I was told an ostomy might be needed until some months down the road I existed as a person afflicted with a colostomy. I feared someone other than my immediate family might find out I had a bag. Ugh! What could be worse? Suppose it filled real fast when I was out with no place to hide and take care of myself. God forbid should it leak in church! Suppose I roll over on it in bed. I was a lesser creature, destined to a life of emotional anguish and physical routines different from most of the rest of the world. I felt like a freak. Then I found folks like you guys here, read your stuff, really “listened” to what you had to say and I began looking at things differently. We know perception is everything and I began to understand how good things were relative to what they could’ve been. So many folks had it so much worse than I did. That didn’t make my discomfort go away but it exposed how fortunate I was to be dealing with my stuff and not their’s. I felt a little guilt, maybe selfishness but quickly forgave myself by understanding I just wasn’t smart enough to fix my feelings. Then, I wonder what smarts have to do with feelings. My perception was warped so my perspective toward my existence was warped.
I learned over the last few years with the help of lots of folks right here at MAO that I could be better at living just by accepting some facts. It is what it is and so what? It’s not the worst thing to happen to a person.
I think everything is, in some way, related to everything else. I just put the ostomy thing in the back seat and drive forward.
Respectfully,
Mike

crossley8
Jul 08, 2018 1:09 am

Thank you, Coraline - I appreciate your response.

Silveradokid
Jul 18, 2018 12:14 am

Hi Crossley. I never took Pilates before my surgeries and hold no desire to start now. Guess you could call me a 'Remote" exerciser. Joking aside, you should speak with your surgeon about the dos and don'ts of exercise. All the best - Silveradokid.

D5000
Jul 18, 2018 1:45 am

I do Pilates with my colostomy and have for 3 years with no problems. Love the exercise.

 

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sherileo
Jul 18, 2018 2:46 am

I'm glad someone posted about this, it's been a year since my surgery and I've been terrified to go back to Pilates for a fear of "overdoing it" or herniating or something!