This is a common misconception and many people are incorrectly told to avoid abdominal exercises by their medical team.

First, we need to clarify what we mean by ‘abdominal exercises’. Remember your abdominal muscles are not ‘separate’ from your body. Your body is integrated, a bit like a chain. Everything is connected. Every time you move, twist, lift and sit down/stand up, carry, push or pull, you use your abdominal muscles. It’s impossible to move without using your abdominal muscles and core in some way.

So being told not to do abdominal exercises isn’t realistic, or actually the correct advice. Most people instinctively feel they need to strengthen their abdomen again after surgery. It’s a very intuitive and natural desire to strengthen something that feels weak and damaged.

The ASCN (Association of Stoma Care Nurses UK) clinical guidelines (https://ascnuk.com/ state that ‘all patients should do core abdominal exercises starting 3-4 days post-surgery’. This is to reduce the risk of parastomal hernia and to restore function to the abdominal, pelvic floor and core muscles.

However, there are many ways to do abdominal exercises and some are more appropriate than others. And it’s incredibly important to exercise in the right way.

To begin with, you should avoid advanced/strenuous exercises (things like sit ups and planking for example) although you can probably build back up to them in time.

However, a progressive and gentle therapeutic programme to restore function and strength to your abdominal wall, pelvic floor and core should be central to your recovery.

Please show this website to your surgeon and nurse and discuss your plans with them if you’re feeling unsure.