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Hernia prevention after getting end-ileo

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Posted 4/17/2013 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
As surgery rapidly approaches I am feeling well, working out like crazy in prep for what I know is going to be some enforced low activity level during my recovery (well, other than walking which will be "the more the merrier" from my understanding). I am also feeling well enough to be able to worry again about the risk of life with an ileo including the greater risk if a peristomal hernia- which, if you get one, is nightmarish to resolve (like everything else in the surgical complication biz it seems).

I touched on this some time before, but if one is going into surgery in great shape and fit, what is the protocol for preventing hernias? Totally abstaining from anything that exercises the abs for 6 weeks, then very slowly building them up? Amost sounds like some special physical therapy might be warranted. I really want to get back into my gym routine and have good lifting strength in general (not as a weught lifter, but as a human being) eventually- not that I plan to ever lift big items of furniture- I think it is wise from now on, stoma or no stoma, esp. starting middle age, to hire people to do that. Should I be wearing a hernia belt from day 1? I will ask all these questions of the surgeon but am keen to here positive stories from those of you whi are athketic and with perm ileos.
Posted 4/18/2013 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
Don't know but I do know of professional athletes and weight lifters with ostomies/jpouches (there are some on youtube). I think after your recovery you should probably be okay to ease into it again?
We're rooting for you!! Can't wait to hear how well it went and how great you're doing!
Posted 4/18/2013 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
I had my colon taken out about three years ago and then I had a couple more operations to get a j-pouch. I'm pretty active overall. Never had any issues until last fall when I reached back in my car to get something and I felt something pop. I had a hernia at my incision site. So it's not always the heavy lifting it can be something as simple as reaching for something that can cause a hernia. I had it repaired and I'm fine now. They used the mesh which should hopefully prevent me from getting another one there. Good luck! 
Posted 4/18/2013 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
After three open, emergency surgeries, I could feel it tear after every sneeze or even just blowing my nose for months after the surgeries. Hernias are very common after open surgeries; I know of no way to avoid it. I also had the mesh put in. I had many different hernias (I think 15?) all over my belly.
Posted 4/18/2013 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
I was told by my WOCN that I should permanently avoid exercises that target, or engage the abs directly. This includes crunches, squats, leg machines, etc. She says twisting exercises are OK. From what I understand there will always be a lot of limitations in terms or lifting, pulling, pushing...etc..not just workout wise. I am only 5 weeks out of surgery, so haven't tried doing much of anything yet. I did job some for the first time yesterday, and have done some arm and shoulder exercises with very light weights and low reps. I really want to get back into a workout routine, but don't know how or what to do.
Posted 4/18/2013 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, UCwhat?- that is (the advice from the nurse) I must say, very disheartening to hear if true but is not at all what I have been told so far by stoma nurses or my surgeon. So far they have told me that it will just take time to restore strength. Now, I never did a lot of ab specific exercises with my UC because I had pain there so often, but I do workout in the gym a lot with machines and free weights, which indrectly strengthens my core, and to give that up for me would be nothing short of devastating. I would never have even considered surgery if that was going to be my fate, but who knows, one has to try the best I guess. Just saw 50 lbs as a conventional weight limit fir ostomates sometimes cited, but I sure hope that isnt referring to any machines or exercises because 50 lbs are rather ridiculously light weights for my taste. I guess time will tell. I'm certainly going to take it slow, but hoping by late summer to be back in full form, athletically.

Post Edited (Probiotic) : 4/17/2013 8:21:52 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/18/2013 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
I was so ready to be well, and too sick to think much about the details, that I didn't even ask specifics about exercise before my surgery. I would love to know the details of what you have been told and what you find out in the future as you go through the whole process. I'm sure every doctor, nurse, surgeon has a different approach and school of thought on this. All that said, I will do whatever it takes to NEVER get a hernia!
Posted 4/18/2013 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah that is my hope too- I just reckon a good way to never get a hernia will be to develop our abs into abs of steel, and have an overall core of steel, gradually as we regain strength. It just makes more sense to me then babying it and then one day reaching for something and pop. If the core is strong as steel, and flexible, then the weak spot hooefully will be buttressed. This whole topic makes me want to seek a trainer fkr this very purpose, ideally one used to stoma patients.
Posted 4/18/2013 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
Probiotic- Try to temper your expectations a bit. I ran about 35 miles a week and could bench my weight about 10 times. I'm four months out and have not even started working out again. You kind of have to put that stuff on hold until your body's ready for it. I had complications during surgery so hopefully you have better luck than I did. My doctor said I won't have limitations but I haven't heard to many people out there lifting 225+ lbs with an ostomy. I'm set to have my reversal at the end of April so I'm hoping I'll have better luck by the end of the summer.

Post Edited (Mossmi33) : 4/18/2013 7:40:37 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/18/2013 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
pro- I went back to exercising about 8wks after my first op to remove my colon. And I had gone into it on heavy iv steroids and it was an emergency operation. No limitations at all by 8 weeks from my doc. And NEVER have I had limitations about avoiding abdominal exercising. I think I'm up to about five major surgeries by now and my fourth and now permanant end ileostomy.

In fact, its my firm belief if you build up your core - albeit gradually - that you can prevent things like hernias. So in addition to cardio of all sorts - running (including three half marathons in decent times with an ileostomy), spinning, and lifting weights, I do yoga and pilates. Pilates is totally about building the core.

The ONLY limitation I have ever been told - which I "sort of pay attention to - with any of my ileostomies is to limit the weight I lift overhead.

I am 100% convinced that I have bounced back from most of my surgeries and recovered faster because I always tried to stay fit and active. And I didn't use surgeries as any excuse to not do anything. So Pro.. I am sure you will flying out of that hospital bed, jogging marathons around the hospital corridors, and within 2 months be back at a pretty normal exercise routine for yourself. And working your way back toward your current exercise routine. Another thing- you will find - is that once that diseased beast gets removed from your system, your overall health will be so improved that your energy, stamina, etc.. will be much improved.

so think happy thoughts now about all of this.
best wishes

Post Edited (ddd45) : 4/18/2013 7:48:08 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/18/2013 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
ddd45- That's awesome you have been able to do three half marathons with an ostomy.

How long did it take you to work up to 13 miles again after surgery? Are you able to run without stopping or do you have to stop to empty along the way? Do you have any sort of plan for what you would do if your bag leaked/came off half way through a run? Also, how has your ostomy affected your average min/mile compared to what it was pre ostomy?

Sorry for all the questions...You're the first person I've heard from that does distance runs.

Thanks,

-Mossmi33

Post Edited (Mossmi33) : 4/18/2013 9:02:28 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/18/2013 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
ddd45- thanks so much, you are speaking my language! Something about letting muscles atrophy for months (other than walking /hiking) just strikes me as the wrong way to become hernia resistant- will seek every bit of advice I can get to be safe, but I plan to follow your model for rehab.

One technique that strikes me as safe would be to go back to the gym within weeks starting with ZERO resistance- just doing the motion- and then week by week adding very low weights. But all this would have to be done with approval and supervision, I agree.

Post Edited (Probiotic) : 4/18/2013 9:53:14 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/18/2013 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Probiotic, I like the idea of seeing a trainer who has worked with someone with an ostomy. My hospital has a sports medicine facility and I'm thinking they might have experience with rehabilitation of an ostomy or abdominal related surgeries. I think I will look into that before I return to weights. I'm not trying to discourage you but a lot of people on this forum say they workout but there's a big difference between someone using 5/10 pound dumb bells v.s. heavy weights involved with (bench press, lat pull downs, shoulder press, squats, leg press, lunges, curls, dips, ect.) especially when there is concern of a hernia.

Post Edited (Mossmi33) : 4/18/2013 4:05:37 PM (GMT-6)

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