Looking for experience of Lifting with a stoma!

I  was told by my surgeon after 6 weeks when he saw me that I could start lifting weights again between 5 and 15kg.

The colorectal nurse advised a stoma belt so I am waiting for an appointment to be measured for one before I start.

I had an ileostomy in May and am happily doing shopping and housework.  Only thing I don't lift is the 30kg bags of cat litter!

The thing about lifting is that our stomas mean we have weak abdominal muscles. Really we should all be taught how to strengthen our core after the operation. The Association of Stoma Care Nurses (ASCN) has had some work done by a woman called Sarah Russell who has a stoma and who is also a physiotherapist and who has programmes of exercises to do this strengthening. You can find her online and on U tube. The recommendations are called EXPASS (EXercise and Physical Activity After Stoma Surgery).

I have found a physio who will help me do this work - I had been doing Pilates for 20 years before the operation and want to get that strength back again.to avoid hernias and protect my back. At the moment I am very careful to engage my muscles before lifting anything that feels heavy and will not lift anything that does not feel safe). I have passed on details of the report Sarah has done to Macmillan and am trying to get hold of the physios at the hospital I was treated by to make sure people get to hear about this. 

Meanwhile, I make sure I use supportive stoma pants - I have a Urostomy - and also have a small stoma belt (not a full support but one an inch wide to  ensure that the bag doesn't move too much when I'm active.) I also try to remember to engage my pelvic floor muscles. I prefer to strengthen muscles rather than rely on strong elasticated belts like corsets. but of course I do not have to lift or carry anything heavy or awkward for work.

I hope people find this of interest: it would be great if it becomes better known.

All the best,

Latestart

Hi Jane,

I had surgery for a rectal cancer in September 2022.  I am also retired and continue to live with a stoma, still friends after three years.  I was sent out of county for the surgery and was referred back to my local hospital who have been brilliant.  Prior to surgery there had been no real discussion about the risk of a parastomal hernia other than avoid heavy lifting.

I had a meeting with my stoma nurses as I thought that the swelling I had around the stoma was post operative swelling that wasn't going down.  Well you have probably guest it, I had underestimated how long my recovery would take and had developed a parastomal hernia.  I have always been active and tried to continue with the same activities as I did prior to surgery, silly me. If I work outside I will always wear a stoma support  belt just in case I am tempted to do something  as simple as a spot of weeding.  I started doing the easy and physically  less stressful things and gradually worked up to bigger jobs however, I have accepted that there will be things that I can no longer do without some help or activities that I will not attempt.  I will always place a time limit at which point I will always stop.  My wife is very helpful as she will drag me back indoors if I stay  out beyond the time limit.  I have got back into cycling which I enjoy however, I have bought an electric bike.

The stoma nurses can give you advice on support belts as well as the organisation that provides you with your stoma products.  I do wear I lighter support garment when I go to bed, it does not interfere with the stoma output and provides me confidence that I will avoid leaks during the night.

Best of luck with your progress, it's maybe about some experimentation to find what is best for you as we are all different.

Regards Michael