Would perm ileo mean giving up strength training forever?

Here's a link to an article about a friend of mine, Mark.

He competed in the Mr Buffalo Bodybuilding Competition after his ileostomy surgery.

"The first category I entered to come on stage for awards was the Over 35 category, I won the Second Place Trophy. The next was the Novice Heavyweight, and I won the First Place Trophy! The “open” Heavyweight is typically where you find the biggest guys, and this category is always left for last. It’s like the bull-riders in a rodeo – that’s what everybody wants to see the most, the big bulls, so that’s always the last event at a rodeo. There were four of us, and the other three were considerably larger than I am. In fact, the biggest guy weighed fifty pounds more than me, and was about 4 inches taller than me! However, I was more defined than they were, which tipped the scale in my favor. I won First Place in the open Heavyweight category! "

www.ostomates.org/mark.html

I have another friend who is a full time gym instructor, she's been doing it for years with her ileostomy.

I weight train with my ileostomy. No problems at all. I am a firm believer in that the stronger and more fit you are, the less problems you may have, like hernias, backpain, etc.. The only thing I really limit myself on a bit is how much weight I lift overhead. Also I have osteoporsis thanks to all those UC steroids, so weight training (and running) is extremely important for me.

Of course, you would want to wait until you are released from your surgeon for physical activity post-surgery. And you would want to start slow and build up.

Excellent to hear, Matt, though a pity re the stoma constriction from ab muscles. With always active UC for years, I have never been directly working the abs because it always hurts there and sometimes spasms to begin with ... and instead develop it indirectly when working my back and arms, like you. However, I always wish that I could work the core more directly and was hoping that would be possible when the recovery is complete. Indeed it is only now that I feel I want to do a quick build up of my core in preparation for the recovery and idle time after surgery. Anyway, thanks, sounds like I wont have to give up a regular solid strength routine other than for the 2- 3 months or so right after surgery.

I haven't had problems working my core but I don't think I'm quite at your level!!! I found that using exercise bands is the best for me...it's more indirect but makes a difference.

I have been trying to figure out how to get back in shape once I have recovered from my surgery. Every doctor and nurse I have asked has told me to not directly work out the abs at all. No sit up/crunch type exercises and to even avoid squats and very heavy leg work....all of which could cause a hernia. I do want to get back in shape, but not at the risk of permanent problems or more surgery. Guess I have plenty of recovery time to research this and figure it all out.