Exercise After Surgery

heatherashley87
heatherashley87 Posts: 7 Member
edited December 1 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm cleared to begin exercising next Monday but have no clue where to start...I need to strengthen my abdominal wall after 2 hernia repairs without causing further damage. I've already been told crunches are out...any suggestions?

Replies

  • hockeysniper8
    hockeysniper8 Posts: 253 Member
    Maybe do assisted Ab exercises with a fitness ball? Any type of leg raises
  • Jeffrey300050
    Jeffrey300050 Posts: 93 Member
    I had 4 back surgeries this year and spent 6 months in hospital learning to walk again. I can't help with a specific suggestion but I would just say good luck! I'm with ya! And also try not to rush it :)

  • Colorscheme
    Colorscheme Posts: 1,179 Member
    I've had multiple surgeries for various things. My biggest piece of advice is to start slow. Maybe do some gently yoga or stretching for a bit until you're more healed.
  • Colorscheme
    Colorscheme Posts: 1,179 Member
    Was it strictly abdominal surgery? if so then it's probably similar to when I had a c-section. I couldn't work out for 6 weeks. I wonder if you could just simply go for a walk.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    heatherashley87 wrote: »
    I'm cleared to begin exercising next Monday but have no clue where to start...I need to strengthen my abdominal wall after 2 hernia repairs without causing further damage. I've already been told crunches are out...any suggestions?

    Ask the doctor or physical therapist who can answer the question knowing your specific situation instead of people on the Internet

    Best of luck.
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    definitely ask your dr. what do you like to do? do you like to swim?
  • heatherashley87
    heatherashley87 Posts: 7 Member
    edited April 2016
    Packerjohn: My doctor told me I am cleared for exercises...just wondering what ones work best. I know crunches don't help much to strengthen your abdominal wall after hernia repair. I'm sure there are "people on the internet" with knowledge on this subject. If you have no clue then why even respond? Are you that bored?
  • heatherashley87
    heatherashley87 Posts: 7 Member
    Colorscheme wrote: »
    Was it strictly abdominal surgery? if so then it's probably similar to when I had a c-section. I couldn't work out for 6 weeks. I wonder if you could just simply go for a walk.
    I have started walking just this week. It was abdominal surgery so my concern is trying to strengthen my core...I'm still have trouble raising my arm and the doctor told me it's because they had to make an incision into my muscle and I will have have to build up the strength again.
  • Aed0416
    Aed0416 Posts: 101 Member
    Please schedule an appointment with a physical therapist. They will give you a list of exercises and watch you preform them so you know you are doing it right. You can ask them about progressions and timelines and warning signs.
  • heatherashley87
    heatherashley87 Posts: 7 Member
    Jeffrey300050 wrote: »
    I had 4 back surgeries this year and spent 6 months in hospital learning to walk again. I can't help with a specific suggestion but I would just say good luck! I'm with ya! And also try not to rush it :)

    Thank you. Sounds like you've come a long way! Good luck to you too!
  • heatherashley87
    heatherashley87 Posts: 7 Member
    MostlyWater wrote: »
    definitely ask your dr. what do you like to do? do you like to swim?

    I love swimming and running. I'm still having difficulty stretching/raising my right arm and leg and my doctor said it's because I need to strengthen my core after the incisions were made.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    edited April 2016
    heatherashley87 wrote: »
    Packerjohn: My doctor told me I am cleared for exercises...just wondering what ones work best. I know crunches don't help much to strengthen your abdominal wall after hernia repair. I'm sure there are "people on the internet" with knowledge on this subject. If you have no clue then why even respond? Are you that bored?

    You post said you were clear to exercise, then in the same post you said you wanted exercises that would not cause further damage. These are conflicting statements in that you are saying you have a restriction ot think you do. . If you are concerned about further damage, ask a professional. Otherwise do whatever you want.

    I actually have a clue on some effective ab exercises but not going to share and possibly hurt someone.

    Makes one sorry for even trying
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    edited April 2016
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    heatherashley87 wrote: »
    Packerjohn: My doctor told me I am cleared for exercises...just wondering what ones work best. I know crunches don't help much to strengthen your abdominal wall after hernia repair. I'm sure there are "people on the internet" with knowledge on this subject. If you have no clue then why even respond? Are you that bored?

    You post said you were clear to exercise, then in the same post you said you wanted exercises that would not cause further damage. These are conflicting statements in that you are saying you have a restriction or think you do. If you are concerned about further damage, ask a professional. Otherwise do whatever you want.

    I actually have a clue on some effective ab exercises but not going to share and possibly hurt someone that can't decide if they are limited

    Makes one sorry for even trying

  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    Ask your dr what you can do regarding abs. It might be months between being cleared for walking and being cleared for working the abs.
  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    I would ask the doctor and I would not start with yoga. It works my abs as hard as any hip hop or zumba class. Maybe harder because my core holds me up in plank, down dog and many other positions.
    If you aren't going to ask a doctor, start with walking or biking and work your way up to whatever else from there. Best of luck in your recovery.
  • julie_broadhead
    julie_broadhead Posts: 178 Member
    Walking is going to do more for your core than you think. It is a great place to start! Ask your doc about getting a physical therapy or occupational therapy referral to rebuild your strength post surgery. Wishing you a speedy recovery:-)
  • heatherashley87
    heatherashley87 Posts: 7 Member
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    heatherashley87 wrote: »
    Packerjohn: My doctor told me I am cleared for exercises...just wondering what ones work best. I know crunches don't help much to strengthen your abdominal wall after hernia repair. I'm sure there are "people on the internet" with knowledge on this subject. If you have no clue then why even respond? Are you that bored?

    You post said you were clear to exercise, then in the same post you said you wanted exercises that would not cause further damage. These are conflicting statements in that you are saying you have a restriction or think you do. If you are concerned about further damage, ask a professional. Otherwise do whatever you want.

    I actually have a clue on some effective ab exercises but not going to share and possibly hurt someone that can't decide if they are limited

    Makes one sorry for even trying

    It is not conflicting. A hernia is repaired by placing a piece if mesh over the hole. You can cause further damage to a hernia even after repair, whether it's a month or years after surgery. I am not talking in terms of medical restrictions or what a doctor is limiting me to. I was cleared by a medical professional and told I will need to strengthen my abdominal wall. I was simply asking advice on what works and what doesn't as some abdominal exercises are not recommended for those with hernias, repaired or not, such as crunches.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    I had abdominal surgery that was way more intrusive than a hernia surgery.

    When cleared I ended up just doing squats and pull ups to strengthen my abs.

    Second on not doing yoga especially inverts with pikes as they are extremely tough on the abs.
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