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Optimal Ostomy Exercises
After ostomy surgery, many people may find these activities to be easier than others. But before starting any new exercise, talk to you doctor to make sure you're ready.
Core muscle conditioning
Swimming
Walking
Reminder
Core muscle conditioning
People who have an ostomy are at greater risk for having weakened core due to years of digestive or bladder issues, coupled with surgery. Building back core stability and flexibility is important, as it makes exercises and routine activities easier. Here are a few basic exercises to get started:
- Hip Extensions
- Upper Body Extensions
- Arm/Leg Extensions
- Pelvic Tilt
- Bridging
Swimming
Swimming is great exercise. It works your whole body without putting strain or pressure on your stoma. Most ostomy pouching systems are water resistant, even for swimming. First, ensure that your pouching system is securely in place. Then, cover the vent on your deodorizing filter with a filter cover to prevent water from entering the pouch.
Walking
Get your steps in. Walking is a simple and energizing way to exercise. When walking, you can build up fitness at your own pace. Walking can also reduce stress and constipation.
Reminder!
Choose an activity you enjoy. Running, jogging, swimming, climbing, skiing; when it comes to working out with an ostomy, you shouldn’t be prevented from staying fit the way you want to.
;
For Linda Pasto, living with an ostomy since 2008, she had always dreamed of completing a 5K race at Disney World.
Nine years post-surgery, she finally got the courage to sign up to run the Disney Princess 5K in February 2017 with her granddaughter, Savana.
“To be able to complete this race with my granddaughter, Savanna, was a dream come true. I never thought I would be able to enjoy my grandkids when I was sick.”
Linda crossed the finish line hand-in-hand with Savanna and tears in her eyes.
Featured Articles
28/11/2024
Travel
Traveling with an Ostomy: What to Pack
The idea of taking long trips with an ostomy may seem daunting at first. But with a little extra preparation, you can...
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Tips for Managing Anxiety After Ostomy Surgery
One of the biggest worries for people who have recently had ostomy surgery is what other people will think.
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Bathing or showering with an Ostomy
Showering or bathing with an ostomy should not interfere with your regular cleaning routine. Here are some tips on ba...
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Peristomal Skin Care
Knowing how to identify irritated skin around your stoma early and keeping it healthy could help avoid greater compli...
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Activity
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Reducing Risk of Parastomal Hernia
You may have heard about a complication known as a ‘parastomal’ hernia, an abnormal bulge around the stoma. These tip...
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Post-Ostomy Surgery: Dos and Don’ts of Exercise(2)(3)(2)
Exercising after ostomy surgery is about patience and doing what feels right. It’s important to take your time and kn...
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Diet
What to Eat After Ostomy Surgery
There is no specific ‘ostomy diet’ but there are important considerations as you discover the foods that work best fo...
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Everyday life
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Ted Vosk’s story
Ted has been living with an ileostomy since May 2012, after developing ulcerative colitis.
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me+ Community Stories - Alannah-Jayne
I'm Alannah-Jayne and I had emergency surgery for an ileostomy due to Inflammatory Bowel Disease causing sepsis in my...
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me+ Community Stories - Kimberly
In 2015, Kimberly was in the midst of cancer treatments, with a bowel perforation and an obstruction that required em...
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me+ Community Stories - Meghan
Instagram Star, Meghan Brown, Shares How Easy Pouch Removal is with ESENTA™
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me+ Community Stories - Manny
Manny Cuevas inherited a lot from his father, including his love of fashion design. He built a cult following and hea...
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