Exercise - specifically for the abs

This is an interesting topic and one I would like to know more about. Since I got back to exercising post op I am at a constant battle of what is too much and what is too little because I worry about a hernia. However a weak core as we age is not good for lots of reasons so I want my abs strong.

So far I have been going by what feels right. I do a lot of standing ab work instead of floor as I find a lot of planks and exercises I did pre surgery feel not quite right and too strenuous.

Last week I started at a clinic for osteogenic loading exercises for my bones and one of the exercises is for abs and it didn't feel right to me, but it is also suppose to be great for core strength and balance. I go for my second session this week and can't decide if I should skip this exercise and just do the others for my arms, legs and spine.

When I asked my surgeon he says I am cleared for all exercise no limitations and that most of the time you are either prone to hernias or not. I think I half agree with the statement and it leaves me figuring out my exercise on my own.

I definitely think letting our abs get weaker is not the answer.

I have also heard that some people are just prone to hernias, while others are not. I have also heard that proper attention to recovery after surgery, and that the further out from surgery one is, the less likely a hernia is. My surgery was 3 and a half years ago and I pretty much work out just the same as I did before. I may lift less weights, just because I workout at home instead of a gym, but I do exercises with dumbells ranging from 5-24 pounds....one in each hand on some exercises. When lifting things that I feel might be TOO heavy, I am mindful to lift with my legs and butt, trying to not tense up my abs more than needed.

The BEST thing I have found to strengthen my core, and everything else, is yoga!! I didn't start practicing until about 2 years after my surgery, and regular yoga has me in better shape and with much more defined abs than ever before, and I've always been in decent shape. Try new exercises, take it slow and listen to your body.

I used to do yoga a fair amount before all of my surgeries. I have been trying to get back into it because it is so good for you mentally and physically. I lost so much strength and flexibility over the last year that it has been frustrating because I can't do a lot of the positions and flows I used to. Hard to start back slow and remind myself how different my body is now.

I will say when I was consistently doing yoga my favorite clothes fit the best. It really does tighten up legs and abs.

Wow thanks for posting that!! I sure wish I would have had that right after surgery. I was given no guidance as to what to do for my core. I do receive Coloplast cares emails but the US version and had never seen this video from the UK.

However when they said you could do these within 7-10 days from surgery I laughed. Maybe because this was my third surgery but I could barely stand up straight or get out of bed by myself from pain no way I could have gotten on the floor and done these exercises that soon.

I'm 4 weeks out from ostomy surgery and I had the same question about exercise. Can someone tell me what CORE 4 from Coloplast is? I'm registered with them but I can't find anything with that name on the site. Thanks.

I can't do videos, I really need to see the info on paper! I requested a Core 4 brochure via the Coloplast UK website, but am not sure if they can send it to the USA. I also called the Coloplast USA # & asked about it, & the rep I spoke with had never heard of it either. I guess I can just look up the individual exercises???

so I got an email this AM from Coloplast- they sent me a pdf of the Core 4 brochure, after I submitted a request thru the UK website. I'm starting this wknd!