Opinions on a few things

I can only speak for the no lifting anything for 4 weeks. It has taken me 11 weeks to begin to act more normally. You two must try not do anything that might cause stress to the surgery scar. I was doing a floor routine + off road bicycle riding years before the operation to prepare for the surgery. So I'm just now beginning to do a light floor routine & biking on the level. It may be hard to resist now, but if you screw up the gut now, you will need more operations which will continue to delay what you would like to do.
So, lay off!!! Allow that tissue to heal.
Joe

My surgeon said that 30% of people with ileo come back with a hernia.


Dan

1. I wasn't sure about this after my surgery either so I specifically asked my surgeon about it and he said when I was pain free enough it wouldn't hurt anything. I ended up waiting 10 weeks because I was still in quite a bit of pain from surgery until that point (I had abdominal incision complications though so my duration of pain was not average).

2. I have never tried a Stealth belt but several people at my ostomy association meeting have them and like them.

3. Never tried these.

Expanding on your questions a bit- your hubby should definitely take it easy on any lifting, pushing, pulling etc. Four weeks is so early! I was on strict lifting restrictions for the first 4 months. That said- everyone is different on what they can handle later. I was a very active person before my surgery and my surgeon always assured me that I would be able to return to the strenuous activities I loved once I healed up. After four months, he gave me the go ahead to progress back into my activities while listening to my body. I eased back into things very slowly. As an example, I started going for hikes and backpacking trips with low pack weights, slowly bumping it up over a few months. 9 months out I was able to carry a 50 pound pack as long as my hubby helped me lift it onto my back. My most strenuous activity is rock climbing so I waited a whole year to try that again and went very slowly. Now that I am almost two years out from surgery, I am doing moderate rock routes again. I do still avoid abdominal crunches, but do plank exercises, v-sits and other workouts to strengthen my core. I also ALWAYS wear a Nu Hope hernia prevention belt when doing anything even remotely strenuous. The best thing is for your husband to ask his surgeon about the timing of activities. They will know his specific case better than anyone else. Patience is key. There is no need to rush anything. There is plenty of time to get back to full strength and his favorite activities will be there waiting once he is all healed up.

Post Edited (Blueheron) : 10/21/2012 12:25:21 PM (GMT-6)

I was not picturing anything crazy or for him to even do any of the work (trying not to get graphic here) I was just wondering if it was totally off limits. I know for sure he wont be lifting, pushing or pulling for a while, even beyond the recommended post op time. We will not risk anything!

Thanks for the input guys!

I had an iliostomy revision last November, and I can tell you when they say;"NO LIFTING" they mean it! I opened a window 5wks. after my second placement, and ended up with a hernia. Sex is great all the time, but I would keep those AB muscles relaxed for as long as possible, then after you get the green light GO FOR IT!!!!!

I was also initially given the same restrictions after my ileostomy. But I cannot believe some people were told they would never be able to life heavy items ever again. I was told about 15% of people get hernias. I had two GI's, two colorectals and an ostomy nurse tell me not to even worry about hernias and that it was honestly a load of rubbish. I've never had a problem before; I've worked on a farm, having no problems with bales of hay, feed bags, etc.

It would be interesting if a survey was taken here to see how many of those with ostomies have had issues with hernias.

Crohnswifey:

Tell your hubby to take it easy.....take it slow....no matter how good he starts to feel..this was MAJOR surgery, and it will take time for the body, and the mind, to get used to it.....patience now will mean lots of time for lifting, and other things, later...