After a stoma surgery, you may feel awkward and scared of trying your usual activity. That fear is paramount. Surgeries leave you with a stitched wound, and you wouldn’t want to force it open through strenuous exercise.
Still, you’ll need to do some exercise to regain flexibility and bone density; this is that your body can get back to shape. Here are general exercise tips after stoma surgery. Use this stoma dome for stoma protection if you’re engaging in any exercise.
Do I Need To Exercise?
The answer is yes. Your body is not to be stiff, and you’ll need some exercise that enhances mobility, fitness, and mental balance. After a stoma surgery, almost 90 % of your body system needs to get into shape, especially if you were into sports before the surgery.
First, see your doctor to ascertain your health condition. If you’re fit for exercise, get prepared to start slow and steady. Remember, you don’t start with an exercise immediately after your surgery.
What Do You Stand To Gain?
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Balanced weight and muscles.
Before and after surgery, you are restricted to the hospital bed, making your bones and muscles relaxed and increasing your weight. An exercise will help you adjust properly.
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Improved mental health. After a
stoma surgery, you need to get your mind off the pain and process of surgery. Engaging in an exercise like yoga or swimming will help your focus and mental stability.
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Enhanced Immune system. Your
the immune system helps fight off diseases and keeps your body cells alert. Trying out an exercise keeps your system in check, which will help you manage your health condition against further complications.
General Exercise Tips After Stoma Surgery
Remember that you don’t have to start hard, you go soft, and in the long run, you get to the difficult part.
Some simple exercises to try out are;
- A walk to the park or any fairly distant location is good. Take 10 to 20 minutes daily when talking for a walk. Do this for some weeks to revive your body.
- Arm raising and leg lift. You can do this while sitting on a chair. You raise your arms above your head while maintaining a sitting position. When leg lifting, lie on your back and lift and drop your leg slowly. This exercise should be done 4months after surgery.
After these exercises, there are more complex ones, but you’ll need to see your doctor and get approval. You’ll be advised to avoid lifting anything above 10 pounds to avoid a hernia. After that, you can try out the following exercise;
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Yoga
- Track Race
- Driving
Helpful Tips
- Avoid lifting weights
- Avoid exercise that involves contact
- Stay hydrated
- Empty your stoma bag before exercising
- Wear convenient clothes like swimsuits
- Have a healthy balanced meal
- Adjust your meal and workout time, and it should be favorable health-wise to reduce body waste.
- Avoid meals that trigger stomach upset.
Also, note that a few effects can occur while exercising, including nausea, dry mouth, fatigue, and stomach cramps. Do well to meet your doctor when you feel any side effects during or after exercising.
