How Soon After Ostomy Surgery Can I Resume Normal Activities?
In the months after your surgery, exercising can really help speed up recovery, as the physical activity gives you more energy and makes you stronger and better prepared to deal with illnesses. Also, exercise can prevent complications related to sitting or lying down too long.
Are there limits to what I can do?
Until your ostomy and abdominal area are fully healed, physical activities can put you at risk for a hernia. A parastomal hernia is a bulge that forms if the bowel is pushed through a weak area in the abdominal wall, which normally holds the bowel in place.
To reduce the risk of a hernia, you should avoid any kind of heavy lifting (anything more than 7-8 pounds, really) for the first six weeks after your surgery.
What is a good activity I can start with?
Walking is a good way to start; it is an easy, gentle way to get back into exercise. Even though you may be used to playing sports, it can be a good idea to start out slowly – especially if you recently had your surgery.
Whether you walk inside (i.e. up and down stairs), or outside in the fresh air, it is an activity that you can gradually increase in both speed and distance. And soon your strength and endurance will return and you’ll be ready to do more challenging exercise, just like before.
Note: Check with your doctor or your stoma care nurse before you start exercising, or increase activity level. What’s good for one person may be too much for someone else.
How can I motivate myself to get started exercising?
It is never easy to start a new habit. But if you sense that your mind is trying to make excuses before you start exercising, try to make a point of not listening to the excuse and act on your decision instead. Instead, listen very carefully to your body afterwards – almost everyone feels better after exercise.
ostomate, fitness enthusiast and brand ambassador, Sandra. © Coloplast
What about going back to work?
After surgery, it’s natural to want to get back to your everyday life as soon as you can. Going back to work may be part of that and, with a bit of planning, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be possible.
Talk to your employer and discuss your options as soon as possible. It may be possible to return to work part time; this could be particularly helpful when you first go back as you may still feel tired and need time to get used to new routines.
A few weeks before you go back, do a few trial runs where you dress and plan your day as if you were going to work. Think about your diet and when and how many times a day you may need to change or empty your pouch. This will help you to establish routines and plan your day accordingly.
Most importantly, it will make you feel prepared.
Thinking ahead tips:
- Speak to your employer as soon as you can
- If possible, build up your working hours gradually
- Check the available changing facilities at work
- Pack a small changing bag that you can take discreetly to the bathroom
- Do trial runs before you start work, thinking about diet and clothing, etc.
- If your company provides healthcare insurance, check whether your condition affects the policy
For more information on finding an ostomy system that fits your body and lifestyle, visit Coloplast.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice and should not be interpreted to contain treatment recommendations. You should rely on the healthcare professional who knows your individual history for personal medical advice and diagnosis.
Source - OSTOMYCONNECTION
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