Get started right after surgery
Even though you do not notice any bulges in the area around your ostomy in the first months after your surgery, it does not mean you can just sit back and relax. In fact, the first 12 weeks after your surgery is the most important time to be careful about doing what you can to reduce the risk of developing a hernia.
If you do develop a peristomal hernia, it makes it more difficult to obtain a tight fit between your body and your ostomy solution, which potentially leads to more complications such as leakage and difficulties covering your ostomy solution with your clothes. Therefore, there’s a good reason to take action immediately, by following these recommendations:
Think about how you move
…and how you sit and stand. In fact, a good straight posture will help strengthen your core muscles, which will reduce the risk of developing a hernia. So stand tall and sit up straight.
In the first weeks after your surgery, you should also think very carefully about how you move to avoid putting unwanted strain on the weakened muscles in your abdomen. You should avoid lifting anything heavier than a kettle half filled with water. Remember that this excludes everyday activities like carrying shopping bags, doing the laundry or mowing the lawn.
Smoking is an absolute no-go
Research shows that smoking increases your risk of developing a hernia no less than four times, as it reduces the oxygen in the tissues.
If you are a smoker you can seek advice from your local pharmacist or your general physician to help you stop.
Support your stomach when you cough or sneeze
As innocent as it may seem, coughing or sneezing can put internal pressure on your weakened abdominal muscles. If you feel you are about to cough or sneeze, place a small cushion over your abdominal area to push back.
Wearing supportive underwear can also be helpful in supporting the abdominal muscles from the outside. It can also provide additional support to your ostomy solution.
Take care when you exercise
In order to build the strength and stability of your core muscles you can start gently exercising after a while. Just remember not to push your abdominal muscles too hard and too suddenly.
After three months you can also gradually start lifting heavier things again, as long as you remember to bend your knees and keep a straight back when you lift.
Things you can do to keep the risk low
All the things mentioned above continue to be relevant for you, months and years after your surgery. It is also helpful to maintain a healthy weight - something that is easier said than done. You can find diet tips on the Care site.
You should also keep exercising, carefully building up the intensity of what you do. Don’t forget that you can do any sport you like, as long as you take the proper precautions.
Use the Hernia Action Plan to keep the risk low
If you want to make sure that you do what you can to keep the risk of developing a hernia down, you can download the Hernia Action Plan.
The Hernia Action Plan includes exercises from the Core 4 programme which you can read more about in the article listed below. The programme contains exercises approved by physiotherapists and colorectal surgeons. These exercises will continue to be relevant for you over time.
