new here,need some guidence

M

mattly

0
Hi Everyone
I just happened to find this site today by accident,I don,t mind these kind of accidents. I,m not new to weights or fittnes but I do have a issue that I could use some imput and advice.
2 years ago I had major surgery and had to have my colon removered, [large intestine]. Since then I have had reconstructive surgery and now have what is called a j pouch,In the last 2 years my belly was opened up twice by the surgeons.I have healed very well since the last operation ,that was 1 year ago.This is my concern,Is it ok to start exerciseing my abdomen slowly?and what would the best way to go about that.I just bought a nordictrack 360,instead of useing my free weights,I do like it very much.Any way,I hope someone out there has been in the same situation and can give me some words of advice and caution if any.
One more thing,this is a great site .
Matt Frillman
 
Hey Matt, quick question, did your doc give you any advice etc on what you could not do? I cannot speak from the experience of reconstructive surgery, but deal with the whole stomach surgery issue on a different level (two pregnancies, one cesarean section) so I have been cut open... to put it mildly. Anything they advise postnatal women to do I would advise to you, but then do not know any other history of you or what your doctor would advise, so as a personal trainer I use caution, you should clear anything you want to start with your doc... that said

You can definately use your muscles, and if it is anything like a c-section recovery shame on your doctor for not giving you some idea of what you are supposed to do! You poor muscles have been hacked open multiple times, so yes, work it slow, but you should/could have been doing this for months now! I love Pilates etc., any kind of supported abdominal work to start. (You can find this stuff everywhere, try Pilates for dummies... they give you the beginner up to advanced exercises...)

Another thing you want to do, while using your Nordic Trac, make sure you are tightening up your core, the abdomen as well as lower back muscles (like a corset around you). To think of how you would do this, it's a lot like standing up tall and trying to look strong and fit and taller in a pair of jeans two sizes too small in front of your old high school sweatheart (got that? not too technical is it?)

You may, depending on how you are feeling about all of it, start with some deep breathing to see how your muscles will react...

Lie on the floor, knees bent, feet flat against the floor, arms at your side...
As you take a deep breath, bring your arms straight up and over your head to point at the wall behind you, then with a strong slow breath exhale as you bring your arms back down to you sides, at the same time pressing your naval into your spine, rocking your hips up, back into the floor.

Try that one a few times before doing some other exercises. It's good for you all around, but great if you want to wake up those abs. One of the best things you can do for that pooch is to tighten the abs while doing your cardio. HOWEVER, this should not restrict your breathing, so try to learn to breath fully, allowing your sides to expand as well as your stomach just a little, and using forceful breathes to exhale. Never allow yourself to hyperventilate or get dizzy with this, if this happens slow down or stop, until your breathing is normal again.

Good luck to you!
 
hi bedfordfitness

thanks for the advice.
my surgeon basicly told me 6 months ago to go ahead and start my exercises,but slowly,since then Ipower walk 4 miles a day in the snow,I live in Owen Sound Ontario,were a snow capital.And yes I would say our tummies are some what the same,my incision was 13 inches long,done twice.I will try what you said,sounds like a great way to introduce some ab work outs,thanks so much for the help.
Matt
 
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