Working out with a colon re-section and loop ileostomy

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deanmadonia
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Working out with a colon re-section and loop ileostomy

Post by deanmadonia »

Does anyone have experience with working out after a colon re-section and loop ileostomy? I had surgery Jan 23rd, and I’m home now. Super bummed about missing class and I want to get back ASAP, but my doc says 6-10 weeks and 10lb weight limit. This is very frustrating to me.
I am planning on returning for Kata only then, w no contact until the loop is reversed.

I don’t want to injure myself permanently by coming back to soon, but I have been out over the years for other major injuries and I don’t want to lose it all again and start from scratch. Again.

Is there anyone out there who has been through this and has any advice?
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emattson
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Re: Working out with a colon re-section and loop ileostomy

Post by emattson »

Never experienced any of these, but have done research which may be helpful. If anyone find errors, please call them out. Peer review is a fundamental part of scientific publishing, a gold standard.

Wanting to recover as quickly as possible and return to our normal way of life is a natural desire. Medical improvements has greatly reduced hospital stays over the decades. National Library of Medicine, published online at September 16, 2021, had a study on whether it's possible to have an outpatient colectomy. While the study did not record patients needing loop ileostomy, enhanced recovery after surgery technique has reduced physiological stress, organ damages, hospital length of stay, pain after operation, and complications. It improve outcomes and speed up recovery. It should never be just about saving money. For the patient's maximum benefit, it requires full participation and diligent commitment from the patient, surgeons, anesthesiologists, pain specialists, nursing staff, physical and occupational therapists, social services, and hospital administration. I feel that applies for most if not all operations, and requires excellent communication between patient and doctor.

Nutrition before colorectal surgery has improved outcome. A high-protein diet a few weeks prior to surgery is recommended. 30 minutes of exercise daily before the operation is also helpful.

A good support system at home is vital. I know two men and one woman, suffering from brain injuries, who were able to stay at home and live a productive life when surrounded with caring spouse and family. Married men and women lived longer than single people in according to the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey. Do not shun them. A woman friend, younger than me, refused to listen to her husband's healthy nutrition advise, did not exercise, and didn't like doctors. She is dead.

See:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8682818/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7452000/
Reduction of hospital stays--see
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/01news/99hospit.htm

I found other references warning not to do heavy lifting or hard exercises between 10 to 12 weeks after surgery. Your doctor gave great advice. Do not strain your abdominal muscles. Heavy lifting risks a hernia. Moving as soon as possible Slow walks for 30 minutes every day or 15 minute walks twice a day may may be great. Walking is my primary form of exercise and it keeps my heart healthy as recorded by my Apple Watch. Easy yoga and Pilates may be good. Physical activity is beneficial: it reduces inflammation, boosts our immune system, helps our metabolism, and promotes a healthy gut microbiome.

See:
https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-diseas ... ostomy-bag
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-con ... t-20045825
https://tristategastro.net/exercise-aft ... l-surgery/

I recommend continuing with classes, but with shared advice from the doctor and the karate school Sensei. Obviously, no sparring and other roughhousing during the healing process. They should let you participate in the easy exercise programs like sanchin and such but not the difficult ones. The dojo code of conduct requires that anyone inside the dojo should keep busy. Practice other easy drills if what they're doing are too much. If tired or sore, then you should leave the room to rest.

One good Kung-Fu school in Chinatown, Boston, was helpful in mixing an older man in the 50s with the youths during hard aerobics workouts that include running and pushups. They asked him questions to reassure that he's in good enough health and don't pressure the man to push himself dangerously hard. If too exhausted, anyone may step aside to rest.

This is a great topic and wish to hear more feedback on this topic as it's never good when someone needed to give up any form of interaction because of a health problem, even just temporary.
Erik

“Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.”
- John Adams
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gmattson
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Re: Working out with a colon re-section and loop ileostomy

Post by gmattson »

Very good advice, Erik. Hope to see lots of comments along with personal experiences regarding medical issues and how it has affected their training and progress.
GEM
"Do or do not. there is no try!"
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