I am having my Kock pouch repaired on September 23rd. It had fallen "off the wall" a year ago, and surgery in February 2009 didn't work. When I first had my Kock pouch constructed 6 years ago I didn't ask my surgeon how much weight and work I would be able to lift and do after I was fully recovered from surgery. I plan to ask him this time. Have any of you been told that we should be limited as to the amount of physical labour we should be doing so as not to do the Kock pouch any harm in the future?

Hi Dixie,
It was never said when I was 19 and had the pouch done because I was young and strong (and my pouch fell off of the wall anyway!) but I think that with age our whole system is weaker and our abdominal muscles support less than before...they don't warn you about the possible blips and bloops that can occur post surgery...it is just a fact that some of us heal really well and some have complications...now after a number of hernia repairs and the pouch having fallen 2 or 3xs these last years I think that it is pretty clear that I can no longer do and lift/tug/pull the same weights and make the same efforts as before. The healing time is much longer as well each post op.
I don't know if Dr C will give you a 'to do/not do' list but you may want to talk with a physiotherapist or Misty...they are more into the day to day functionality of the whole thing than the surgeons are...
It is kind of like asking a seamstress if you can wear your new dress rock climbing....what will she tell you? Yup, you can wear it but I don't guarentee the results!
Dr. C has never expressly told me not to do anything, as a matter of fact he is extremely optimistic about post op recovery...he is always saying...'why not'???
It is my French surgeon, the hernia guy who keeps putting limits on me...he has limited me to 10kg of pulling/lifting weight.
I do all of the house cleaning myself but I ask hubby to do the heavy lifting like turning mattresses or putting suitcases on top of the closet...
For now, try spoiling yourself and act like a princess whenever possible...and good luck...I will try to come by an visit you in early Oct if possible.
Sharon

Hi Dixie,

There are members who body build, run marathons and exercise.

I would not do any lifting/exercise for at least three mos post surgery and then start VERY slowly and build up slowly.

I have noticed that members have different stoma places - some high on abdomen, some low, some in the middle. This could effect your valve based on how you use your stomach muscles.

Your surgeon is best to advise, but since this is a revision, I would take it very slow.

Best to you in your surgery!

Hi Sharon & Janice,
Thanks for your replies. I'm just hoping that after my surgery, and hopefully Dr. Cohen is able to fix my Kock pouch, that I won't do anything intentionally to harm it. I live on an acreage and am alone now and lots of times there just isn't anyone here to help me. I guess I like to feel independent and do things myself. In the last few weeks, I've lifted and moved some stuff that I shouldn't have and suffered for a few days - my stoma area really hurt, as well as my back (the first time my stoma area has hurt). Everything feels much better now, and I now realize perhaps I shouldn't be doing certain things myself. Sharon, I'm really hoping the leaking you are having now is just temporary and am thinking of you.
- Dixie

Dixie,
Stop Lifting Stuff!!!!!!
Are you trying to give yourself a hernia pre-surgery????? (yes, I am yelling at you!)
Now is not the time to be ripping stuff apart in there....if it has to be lifted, and is heavier than a pound of potatoes, then either get a ranch hand to help or leave it where it is.
If you are dead it doesn't matter and if your abdomen ripps to pieces it doesn't matter. So be nice to yourself for a few months...please!
Dr. C is a very good surgeon, not a miracle worker...do not do to him what I did...hernias are not fun and if you destroy the wall where will he hook your pouch?
I have learned (not soon enough) to stay down when on the ground...nobody is impressed by my efforts to wash windows or carry groceries...hubby threated divorce if I continued to 'hurt myself by trying to prove something'...so be good honey...and rest.
Sharon

I started doing light housework after 8 weeks.
Now at 10 weeks I am back at work with 13 three and four year olds. I have no energy to do anything else at the end of the day

But I had just been thinking about starting some 'core'exercises to strengthen my back which will also strengthen my abs but not by isolating them, which might be safer.

I do not lift heavy objects though.

Dixie, better safe.