Hello Guys,

I had my surgery (all in one-step) about 2 months ago. I am ready to start slowy working out again and am nervous about lifting weights. My incision is all healed, but I still have some swelling and tenderness in my lower abdomen. The surgeon said I can lift anything, as long as it does not strain my abdomenal area. I am not so sure???

Do any of you have advice on any type of weight lifting, or weight machines that would do NO HARM to the abdominal area.

Thanks!

Keith

Hey Keith,

After the two month period recommended before workingout, I started back pretty much at a fraction of previous lifts. I stayed consistant and the progress came pretty quickly.
Just start out slowly and listen to what your body is telling you. If you think you pushing too hard back it off, when you feel your ready to start going heavier, bring it on slowly.
By the way, I'm getting ready for a bodybuilding contest next July in the masters division. So, I don't believe the surgery you have gone through will slow you down in the end.
I hope this helps.

Stay strong,

Jeff

why is this just in the mens forum? i'm a woman and am trying to figure out (now that i'm just over the two month period) what i can and can't do to build back all the muscle i've lost.
i used to be pretty cut for a girl (see here: http://www.cancer-sucks.com/gallery/pics/capoeira/Raposa-&-Becca1.jpg for reference, i'm NOT the girl in the baseball cap. and yes..she is a girl)
but since i've been kinda whilin' away at home doing nothing, i've lost about 20 pounds (barely had 20 to spare) and most my muscle.

could i just start with light free weights (for my arms?) i mean, if i'm doing curls and things, it shouldn't be stressing my core too much, no?

Cynnycal: I'm about four weeks post step 1 and my surgeon said I could begin lifting at four weeks post surgery. I also lost 20 pounds, which I couldn't afford to lose. Like you it was mostly muscle. See Jeff's post above, his advice is sound. Check with your surgeon, start slow and listen to your body. Good luck.

Kevin

I am starting to walk up and down the steps in my apartment building. That is helping to build up my leg muscles.

Like you said, I will join a gym soon and start lifting weights at 1/4 of the weights that I used to. I find that lifting sitting down puts less strain on my abdomen.

Keith

Cynnycal, there really isn't any difference in the advice I mentioned for a man and for yourself. I see you had cancer, I was diagnosed Feb. 2005 with lymphoma and like you went through the chemotherapy, I didn't do real well with it and my weight went from 200 lbs to 136 lbs. I have since been training again for the last year and have my weight up to 210 at 8% bodyfat. At 48 years old I am having a ball with my training and am still making gains! I know you can do the same. Best of luck....

Livestrong

Hi Keith,
I'm 13 years post jpouch and get on the site sporadically. I've been working out most of my adult life. Now at 67 I've learned that caution is the better part of valor. I've worked with a trainer on and off and that helps, especially when I give him/her my medical issues. I use free weights and machines and do 30 minutes of cario. Started very light after surgery. Noticed someone suggested starting by walking. That's what I did. What I've worked with specifically are exercises that ISOLATE the muscle I want to work. For example: I'll use light weights (at my age I don't like bulk...prefer contour and shaping).. I'll sit on a bench with back support and do curls (3 sets of 12 to 15). This routine takes the pressure off my abs and back. The slower I do the routine the burn I get. I apply the same concept of just about all exercises. One problem I haven't solved is the weakness in the abs. MY surgery took place in what I consider the dark ages and the incision was quite long. Since then I haven't been able to regain the tone. In fact I'm posting aquestion today to see if anyone has had similar experience. Anyway I hope this is of some help to you. Please feel free to contact me anytime.
Best
Popamel

Cynnycal,

When I saw last talked with Dr. Fazio he had said to wait about three months before lifting anything over ten pounds (fear of a hernia). You are pretty young, but I think three months would still be a safe time to wait until. I think you are coming up on that time soon arent you? Anyway, I hit my three month not to long ago and my wife was ecstatic. Finally I could start helping with the groceries, luggage etc.. I started doing pushups and some easy situps this last week. I think its important to go easy and not do the typical "push past the pain" thing that I used to do. I plan to start training to run another marathon in either Jan. or Feb. I am sure you will be able to hop back in the saddle and go balls out much sooner than I. Man this getting old stuff sucks.

Mike S

Mike,

Dr. Fazio is also my surgeon. I went in for my 6 week check up after the first surgery and I asked him if I could start lifting. He told me "no more than 30 lbs". It may be different for each patient. I have had no complications (except dehydration) and I was healing quickly. I thought it was neat that we had the same surgeon

Chris

I have been a "Gym Rat" since my jr. high days. I am now approaching 60. I was a high school & college wresstler & coach, distance runner and even did a triathelon once. In my mid 50's I developed UC and had a J-pouch in 2006. Regarding
weights, I prefer cybex rather than free weights. I believe the cybex helps you to perform the exercises correctl with less chance of injury. How do the rest of you feel? Also, I was advised to avoid crunches but after several years of not doing them, I started again
with seemingly no ill effects.

Hi

FYI--I had a few posts and received advice on this back in August/September.

I am 7 months out from surgery now.
I started with light -5-10 lb dumbbells and stopped if my abs felt strained or tight.

I use machines for the bench-incline bench only to alleviate abdomen strain.
Legs on machines, Shrugs on machines
triceps and biceps are still dumbbells-seated only for Biceps.

I also do Tae Bao, step-ups on a bench and the treadmill.

I was in top 6pack shape prior to surgery (This last of 5 in June 2007), will never have a 6 pack again, Recently my wife told me I am big and cut again.
Keeping walking those stairs-you'll be back in shape soon enough-just be patient, it's hard to hold back as you feel better, but you'll avoid a hernia or any complications if you keep the progress slow and steady

Good luck/Good Health
Eric

Yea, I did the same thing... wanted to get back in the gym asap. I gave the abs a rest for about 3 or 4 months and worked other groups, after that I went slow rebuilding those muscle groups, but after six months I'm back to serious lifting.

ok so i am 21 y/o and have ripped 6-pack abs, are all you saying that we ARE able to work out our abs post-surgery (sit-ups, etc.) like before? or are you saying we CAN'T? i would HATE to not be able to work my abs as hard as I have been! Also, when you say you lose 20 or however pounds post-surgery, is that 20 pounds of muscle or fat? i thought it was fat, but let me know. i'm very athletic and active and would like to stay that way after surgery! thanks to all who can help me out!

Gymguy..you CAN work out your abs. I don't know when you had your surgery or how you worked them before but I know it is possible with time. I'm a 24 year old girl and while no matter how many ab exercises I do I can't get a 6 pack I do have nice tight flat abs. It took awhile for me to get to a point where I could really work my abs well, but I'm sure this varies from patient to patient.

I had my j-pouch surgery in two steps nearly 17 years ago. My main incision
runs vertically from above my navel almost to my pubic bone, and I also have
a ~2 inch horizontal scar at the temporary ostomy site (belt level). I worked
out (primarily strength training machines and step aerobics) before I had UC,
the 5 years while I had it (!), and ever since my surgery. Within perhaps 6 months
to a year after my take-down surgery, I was in the best shape of my life at age 32.
I did not notice any long-term reduction in abdominal strength or capability due to
the surgery.

Two months post-op is a short period of time! Your body needs at least
several months to regain its former capacity to respond to exercise in the
way that it used to do so. Much internal healing continues to take place
over several months, so get back into fitness GRADUALLY. Even if you've lost
20 pounds of muscle, in my experience with hospitalizations, muscle mass
lost from a limited period (even 2 months) of UC, not eating, and/or
inactivity is easily regained. You can look forward to making tremendous
progress -- until you get back into shape; then it will be just as difficult
as ever to achieve your personal best.