Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGetting StartedSample Abdominal ExercisesScheduleSafetyOverall Fitness RoutineKeeping Workouts Fresh
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Getting Started
Sample Abdominal Exercises
Schedule
Safety
Overall Fitness Routine
Keeping Workouts Fresh
People who haveinflammatory bowel disease (IBD)are often not strangers to abdominal surgery. About 80% of people withCrohn’s diseaseneed surgery to manage the disease. Inulcerative colitispatients, about 30% will require some type of surgery (usually a colectomy).Exercise promotes overall better health, and getting back into the swing of exercise after surgery is one way to lower the risk of future health problems, both in general and specifically for patients with IBD.
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Starting Post-Surgery Ab Workouts
A few tips to remember before getting started on a new workout routine:
After abdominal surgery, patients are often advised (with the guidance of their surgeon or medical provider) to do deep breathing exercises that allow their lungs to fill with air and then completely empty, as well as to begin walking to increase circulation, prevent blood clots, and build stamina.
Sample Ab WorkoutsBeginnerIntermediateAdvancedPelvic tiltsOblique twistsFull vertical crunchPlanksAb rolls on ballPush-ups, twist ab rolls, and plank on ballFitting Exercise Into Your ScheduleMost people need a day of rest in between each workout session, so three times a week is a good target to start. Scheduling workouts at the same time of day will help you develop a routine.Safely Targeting Abdominal MusclesReverseand regular crunches can be used to target abdominal muscles. To prevent straining back muscles, remember to keep the back flat against the floor. It’s not necessary to have any special exercise equipment to do crunches. However, an exercise ball will help target the abdominal muscles.Contrary to what many people think, doing a large number of crunches all at once won’t necessarily help you and generally should be avoided in the initial weeks of a post-operative core-strengthening plan. Concentrating on proper form and doing avariety of exercises, such as knee raises and planks, is the best way to strengthen your abs.Overall Fitness Routine for IBDAlong with tightening up the ab muscles, it is a good idea to put some cardio exercise, weight training, and deep breathing exercises into a workout routine. Walking, running, swimming, and bicycling will help create an overall fitness routine and all of these could be good activities for people who have IBD.Weight training can help strengthen muscles that are weak after inactivity or after the use of steroids (which can cause unintentional weight gain).Ab exercises help firm up the muscles of the torso but don’t do much for reducing the body fat that is covering up the abs.For those with extra weight in the abdominal area, an overall fitness plan and a sensible diet to lose that weight, coupled with abdominal exercise, is the best approach.Keeping Workouts FreshTo keep from stagnating or getting bored, aim for variety in your routine and incorporate many different kinds of exercises to maximize the body’s response. Workout videos focusing on ab muscles, yoga, or Pilates may also help.Enlist the help of those around you to keep up with a new fitness routine. Find an exercise buddy, head to a gym for a workout with a trainer, or ask a doctor to recommend an exercise program. With some determination and sweat, you can be on your way to recovery after abdominalsurgery.SummaryThe key to firming and strengthening abdominal muscles after surgery is making exercise a habit. While focusing on exercises that target the core might help with post-operative strengthening, these exercises should be part of an overall fitness plan that promotes better health.Remember to talk to your surgeon, gastroenterologist, and/or primary care provider before starting any sort of post-op exercise regimen. Guidelines for returning to regular activities and/or a new fitness routine are not uniform and are often individualized for the patient.
Fitting Exercise Into Your Schedule
Most people need a day of rest in between each workout session, so three times a week is a good target to start. Scheduling workouts at the same time of day will help you develop a routine.
Safely Targeting Abdominal Muscles
Reverseand regular crunches can be used to target abdominal muscles. To prevent straining back muscles, remember to keep the back flat against the floor. It’s not necessary to have any special exercise equipment to do crunches. However, an exercise ball will help target the abdominal muscles.
Contrary to what many people think, doing a large number of crunches all at once won’t necessarily help you and generally should be avoided in the initial weeks of a post-operative core-strengthening plan. Concentrating on proper form and doing avariety of exercises, such as knee raises and planks, is the best way to strengthen your abs.
Overall Fitness Routine for IBD
Along with tightening up the ab muscles, it is a good idea to put some cardio exercise, weight training, and deep breathing exercises into a workout routine. Walking, running, swimming, and bicycling will help create an overall fitness routine and all of these could be good activities for people who have IBD.
Weight training can help strengthen muscles that are weak after inactivity or after the use of steroids (which can cause unintentional weight gain).Ab exercises help firm up the muscles of the torso but don’t do much for reducing the body fat that is covering up the abs.
For those with extra weight in the abdominal area, an overall fitness plan and a sensible diet to lose that weight, coupled with abdominal exercise, is the best approach.
To keep from stagnating or getting bored, aim for variety in your routine and incorporate many different kinds of exercises to maximize the body’s response. Workout videos focusing on ab muscles, yoga, or Pilates may also help.
Enlist the help of those around you to keep up with a new fitness routine. Find an exercise buddy, head to a gym for a workout with a trainer, or ask a doctor to recommend an exercise program. With some determination and sweat, you can be on your way to recovery after abdominalsurgery.
Summary
The key to firming and strengthening abdominal muscles after surgery is making exercise a habit. While focusing on exercises that target the core might help with post-operative strengthening, these exercises should be part of an overall fitness plan that promotes better health.
Remember to talk to your surgeon, gastroenterologist, and/or primary care provider before starting any sort of post-op exercise regimen. Guidelines for returning to regular activities and/or a new fitness routine are not uniform and are often individualized for the patient.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Neumann PA, Rijcken E.Minimally invasive surgery for inflammatory bowel disease: review of current developments and future perspectives.World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2016;7(2):217-226. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i2.217Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Benefits of physical activity.Engels M, Cross RK, Long MD.Exercise in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: current perspectives.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2017;11:1-11. doi:10.2147/CEG.S120816Perrodin SF, Salm L, Beldi G.Safety of core muscle training immediately after abdominal surgery: systematic review.BJS Open. 2023;7(6):zrad142. doi:10.1093/bjsopen/zrad142Backes TP, Fitzgerald K.Fluid consumption, exercise, and cognitive performance.Biol Sport. 2016;33(3):291-296. doi:10.5604/20831862.1208485Northeast Georgia Health System.Post-operative abdominal core health.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Frequently asked questions about walking after your surgery.National Academy of Sports Medicine.Plank.Engels M, Cross RK, Long MD.Exercise in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: current perspectives.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2017;11:1-11. doi:10.2147/CEG.S120816Savas M, Wester VL, Staufenbiel SM, et al.Systematic evaluation of corticosteroid use in obese and non-obese individuals: a multi-cohort study.Int J Med Sci. 2017;14(7):615-621. doi:10.7150/ijms.19213
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Neumann PA, Rijcken E.Minimally invasive surgery for inflammatory bowel disease: review of current developments and future perspectives.World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2016;7(2):217-226. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i2.217Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Benefits of physical activity.Engels M, Cross RK, Long MD.Exercise in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: current perspectives.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2017;11:1-11. doi:10.2147/CEG.S120816Perrodin SF, Salm L, Beldi G.Safety of core muscle training immediately after abdominal surgery: systematic review.BJS Open. 2023;7(6):zrad142. doi:10.1093/bjsopen/zrad142Backes TP, Fitzgerald K.Fluid consumption, exercise, and cognitive performance.Biol Sport. 2016;33(3):291-296. doi:10.5604/20831862.1208485Northeast Georgia Health System.Post-operative abdominal core health.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Frequently asked questions about walking after your surgery.National Academy of Sports Medicine.Plank.Engels M, Cross RK, Long MD.Exercise in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: current perspectives.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2017;11:1-11. doi:10.2147/CEG.S120816Savas M, Wester VL, Staufenbiel SM, et al.Systematic evaluation of corticosteroid use in obese and non-obese individuals: a multi-cohort study.Int J Med Sci. 2017;14(7):615-621. doi:10.7150/ijms.19213
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Neumann PA, Rijcken E.Minimally invasive surgery for inflammatory bowel disease: review of current developments and future perspectives.World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2016;7(2):217-226. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i2.217Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Benefits of physical activity.Engels M, Cross RK, Long MD.Exercise in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: current perspectives.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2017;11:1-11. doi:10.2147/CEG.S120816Perrodin SF, Salm L, Beldi G.Safety of core muscle training immediately after abdominal surgery: systematic review.BJS Open. 2023;7(6):zrad142. doi:10.1093/bjsopen/zrad142Backes TP, Fitzgerald K.Fluid consumption, exercise, and cognitive performance.Biol Sport. 2016;33(3):291-296. doi:10.5604/20831862.1208485Northeast Georgia Health System.Post-operative abdominal core health.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Frequently asked questions about walking after your surgery.National Academy of Sports Medicine.Plank.Engels M, Cross RK, Long MD.Exercise in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: current perspectives.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2017;11:1-11. doi:10.2147/CEG.S120816Savas M, Wester VL, Staufenbiel SM, et al.Systematic evaluation of corticosteroid use in obese and non-obese individuals: a multi-cohort study.Int J Med Sci. 2017;14(7):615-621. doi:10.7150/ijms.19213
Neumann PA, Rijcken E.Minimally invasive surgery for inflammatory bowel disease: review of current developments and future perspectives.World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2016;7(2):217-226. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i2.217
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Benefits of physical activity.
Engels M, Cross RK, Long MD.Exercise in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: current perspectives.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2017;11:1-11. doi:10.2147/CEG.S120816
Perrodin SF, Salm L, Beldi G.Safety of core muscle training immediately after abdominal surgery: systematic review.BJS Open. 2023;7(6):zrad142. doi:10.1093/bjsopen/zrad142
Backes TP, Fitzgerald K.Fluid consumption, exercise, and cognitive performance.Biol Sport. 2016;33(3):291-296. doi:10.5604/20831862.1208485
Northeast Georgia Health System.Post-operative abdominal core health.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Frequently asked questions about walking after your surgery.
National Academy of Sports Medicine.Plank.
Savas M, Wester VL, Staufenbiel SM, et al.Systematic evaluation of corticosteroid use in obese and non-obese individuals: a multi-cohort study.Int J Med Sci. 2017;14(7):615-621. doi:10.7150/ijms.19213
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