Hello,
I'm looking for advice on how to reclaim my abdominal muscles after my last two surgeries in Jan 07 and in May of 07.
I had 4 surgeries 17 years ago all with in a 5 month period and had an easier time getting my muscle. Of course, I was that much younger-in my early 20's and now I'm in my early 40's and have been DX'D with Chron's.
Anyone doing Yoga? If so, do you avoid certain poses due to possible hernia occurance?..
Any suggestions would be welcome... Thanks..

Happy New Year to you all from snow Maine!!
Chappy

Hi Chappy,

I used to do a combination program called Bodybalance. It combined, yoga, tai chi and pilates all of which are supposed to be kinder to the body than weight-bearing excercises. However I still suffered a peristomal hernia even though I was really careful regarding the abdominal routines.

I would concentrate on building your inner core muscles before trying to tone those abs. Start off really gently and slowly and stop the minute you feel any discomfort.

Incidently, I also managed to give myself an incisional hernia in the past just by using a Slendertone belt, which is something that never even occured to me at the time as I wasn't doing "real" toning excercises.

Just be careful.

Shell

HI Chappy, I have been doing yoga for about five months now. I found a yoga dvd that is easy to follow and paced just right. The dvd is Yoga Zone - Yoga Basics for beginners. It focuses on the basic yoga postures and I haven't had any trouble doing them. I started doing yoga after surgery(end ile.) and this has really helped me gain my strength back. After being lethargic for so long this was the best thing for me to do to get back my energy. I wish you the best.

Hi Chappy,

I agree with Shell's advice about being really careful. Monitoring your pain or discomfort level is very important. I do Pilates a couple of times per week, but my teacher is the most wonderful observer of a body that I've ever met. Focusing on building core strength before abs has made a great difference in my strength and fitness,and in my outlook, too! It's wonderful to feel some return of fitness and those endorphins pumping around after being pretty immobile with surgeries. My last, an end ileo, was in July.

Good luck!

Barbara

Thanks Shell, Hope and Barbara for your insight...
I'll defintelty look into the different dvd's everyone has mentioned. It's nice to know there is of reclaimming my abs!!!
I'll let you know how I make out.
Be well and keep laughing,
Chris

Any updates? I've noticed recently that my lower abdomen is pooching out farther and farther and I really hate the look and feel of it. I want to strengthen my abs both for aesthetic reasons and health, since I know that hernias can occur around the stoma over time simply by the muscles weakening.

It's a conundrum, though, since I want to strengthen to help prevent a hernia, but the act of strengthening them may cause a hernia...AAHH

I've been trying to tense and "hold in" my abdomen over the last few days in hopes of strengthening that way but I was wondering (Chappy) if you'd gotten started yet and how it's going?

Thanks!
Erin

I have participated in strenuous aerobic classes, yoga and pilates. I never had any problems and I also never reclaimed my abdominal muscles. I am very thin and have a fairly flat stomach with the exception of the pooch on the side of my pouch!Gave up thinking that would change. I also had scar revision but not with a tummy tuck. All the lumps and bumps remain in place. I embrace my body and still wear a bikini without fear of what anyone would think of my scars. I never even think anyone is looking at my stomach!

HOLLY...
Of course no one is looking at your stomach!
They are looking at the cute 'young' things on the beach

I just couldn't help myself

When you feel "up to it", to tighten the lower abs (below the belly button and above the pelvis) the best thing I ever found was simple leg lifts.

Lie on back, hands palm down next to your buttocks lift both legs a couple of inches and hold for a count of 10. Drop, relax for a count of 10, repeat 10 times. Progressively increase you count time.
WARNING: This is really intensive. Make sure your stoma can handle it.

Crunches/sit-ups tend to strengthen the upper abs above and around the belly button.

very funny leslie.
thanks for reminding me how old i really am!oh, that's right , you are right with me! LOL