This topic is about preparing the pelvic floor for a colostomy reversal, which is a procedure to reconnect the bowel after a colostomy. The focus is on exercises and activities that can help strengthen the pelvic muscles and potentially ease the recovery process. Here are some practical steps and insights shared by someone who has gone through this preparation:
- Engage in daily walking: Aim for 2 miles before work, 2 miles during lunch, and 2 miles on Saturdays, with a rest day on Sundays.
- Take the stairs whenever possible at work to add more activity to your day.
- Incorporate Kegel exercises into your routine, but only after getting the go-ahead from your surgeon during a pre-op consultation.
- Consider weekly self-stimulation (orgasm) to boost blood flow and help the rectum, sphincter, and surrounding pelvic floor muscles contract. This can be beneficial for helping the dormant rectum regain function, as confirmed by a surgeon.
The person who shared this regimen reported no pelvic pain, pressure, or swelling before their reversal surgery. They also mentioned that a different surgeon was able to perform the reversal laparoscopically, which is less invasive than the initially proposed open surgery.
Here are some additional insights and advice from others:
- Many people support the idea of including orgasm or self-pleasure as a legitimate exercise for the pelvic floor and suggest discussing it with your surgeon if you're awaiting reversal.
- Some have observed that maintaining rectal and pelvic activity before the reversal can lead to a smoother recovery afterward.
- The general advice is to explore every safe and doctor-approved method, such as walking, using stairs, doing Kegels, and, if comfortable, self-stimulation, to prepare your pelvic muscles before surgery.
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