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Rebuilding Abdo Muscles after Surgery

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Posted 5/2/2009 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone....

Well, getting ready for abdo surgery, and knowing that my gut muscles are already super weak, I was wondering if any of you had success with rebuilding muscle mass/toning muscles after surgery.  I'm not about to do situps but would like to find a post op conditioning program.   Any ideas....experiences?

pauliwog

Posted 5/2/2009 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
Swimming worked for me. The first time I was back in the pool I really felt it in my abs just from holding my body up in the water. And once I started doing some serious swimming I REALLY felt it! You might want to try just sitting on a gym ball too. That helped alot and it made it easier to start doing some crunches when I was ready. Good luck! :-)
Posted 5/2/2009 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
Be careful. I ended up with an abdominal hernia after my resection. My surgeon, GI doc, and PCP were not concerned with my ab muscles. After the first hernia repair I kept asking how I could avoid getting another one and they kept giving me the run around. Surgeon said to ask GI doc, GI doc said to talk to PCP. PCP said to talk to surgeon. Well, I discovered another abdominal hernia back in August. I'm having it repaired this summer and then I plan on going to a really great physical therapist I found. I can't afford it but I'm doing it anyway.

If you are just looking for a way to rebuild yourself all around, I suggest the DVD "The Abs Diet Workout 2". You can Netflix it (I just returned it!) I like it because it has cardio and muscle workouts. The beginner Abs section is about 10 minutes and it's not all crunches. I can do almost everything without aggravating my existing hernia so I think this would be a great post surgery workout. This is the first workout DVD that I've liked. I use it when I can't get to the gym for cardio.

I think swimming would be great for your abs. I could swim to shore if the boat sunk but not for exercise, I'm a lousy swimmer. Even my husband says it looks wrong but we can't figure it out.
Posted 5/2/2009 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
Dagger - How long did you wait before you started working out again (and developed the hernia?) Also, how long do you have to wait to go swimming? I had my resection 2 weeks ago - and started walking and doing some "light" yoga. But, swimming sounds like a great idea but I don't want to rush things.

Posted 5/2/2009 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
I can't do crunches because of upper back problems. My trainer has me lay on the floor with the smallest size swiss ball between my knees and lift them up - it works! Just an idea for another exercise. I also have an ab swing, and I like that because its pretty easy and it works the thighs too.
Posted 5/3/2009 5:58 AM (GMT 0)
Ladybug, I think the hernia started during the resection surgery. I noticed a small bump but with all the puffiness and swelling, I ignored it. I wasn't supposed to lift more than 20 lbs for about 6 weeks, and for once, I followed directions. At my 6 week checkup, the surgeon said I can return to my regular life and do whatever I wanted. I had no restrictions on exercise or lifting. I tried Pilates but it hurt my neck so I took yoga classes instead. The yoga instructor helped me choose ab exercises/poses that I could comfortably and safely do.

about 9 weeks after my surgery, I was hired for some summer work emptying classrooms. This involved a lot of heavy lifting and that's when the hernia went from a barely noticeable bump to something the size of a softball. Due to hospital incompetence, I had complications for about 6 months after the hernia repair.

I became very cautious, I didn't want another hernia, I swore I'd never have hernia surgery again. Despite my best efforts, I noticed another hernia last August.

I'd wait until the 6 or 8 week checkup, that's when you'll probably be allowed to resume your normal activities. Take it slow and easy. You only get one chance to heal properly.
Posted 5/3/2009 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
I waited 7 weeks to go swimming. I wasn't cleared to go back to work until then. My problem was fatigue, the surgery took a lot out of me. I never did ask my surgeon when I could do things, I just went with how I felt. I started walking on a treadmill about 3 weeks after the surgery, and walking outside about 5 weeks after. Probably should have asked him though!
Posted 5/4/2009 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Well the doctors told me that I should walk,walk, and walk some more. So thats what I did the first week home from surgery. I walked on my treadmill 3 times a day. I was told thatit would aid in the healing process. I'm fine,well I I think I'm fine. I don't have a hernia. Maybe I'm lucky!
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