I was going to include this in my other post, but I think this might deserve a posting all it's own.
While talking to the other members of my osomy support group, one lady warned me about lifting heavy weights and the danger of hernias around the stoma.
None of my doctors mentioned anything abour this.
I am currently unemployed and looking for work. If this is a real danger, I will need to know as it would be a limiting factor in finding a job.
Also, I am looking forward to re-joining my karate class in the near future. If the exersion of working out is going to be a danger, I would really like to know.
Please let me know it you all have any experience or info on this.
thx
Bon
Hernias are a real possibility with ostomies because you now, literally, have a hole cut right through your stomach muscles.
I've seen varying weight limits of between 10 - 50 pounds for ostomates but I know of some ostomates who are weight lifters and lift much more than that.
The key is to start out slowly and don't strain those stomach muscles at all for the first months.
I've known of a couple of ostomates who do karate. There are small stoma caps that they use to shield the stoma from any damage that can occur. Also, let your instructor know about your stoma so that they can modify any workouts that are too strenuous for you.
Good luck.
http://www.ostomates.org
I'm not a complete idiot - some parts are missing!
Hello! I have an ileostomy too...i got mine in March 2003. I never took the hernia warning too seriously since im a girl, but low and behold....guess what I got? I dont know how i got it or where it came from. I dont even know how much weight i have been lifting....just carrying in groceries. I actually was moving my dresser back against my wall since i moved it out to vacuum, and i think that may have done it. Im sure its different for different people, but just watch out. I need to have my colon resected in June, so my doc said he'd fix it then. It just sucks cuz now i have more pain!! Good luck and try not to get one too. I dont think karate will hurt u tho...just dont strain too much!!
Kelley :)