what are some physical therapy excersises after abdomenal surgery?
92119
my experience may be a little different, but i had an abdominal hysterectomy...(cut from hip to hip). i carried my little pillow around with me EVERYWHERE i went, didn't over-do it..i had help getting up AND sitting down. my stomach muscles healed quite fast to my suprise, my doc said it was do to me taking it easy for the first 4 weeks after surgery...don't leave home with-out your pillow (if you don't have one, or know what i'm talking about; it's a little pillow you hold on your stomach to walk, get up, etc..,don't have one?? just use a little (soft) couch pillow, hopes this helps and hope you feel better soon!! =)
842486
Swim, cycle, climb stairs, run walk - do all the things that put a strain on the legs. \n\nYou could also try this exercise-\n\n lie on your side use the hand closer to the floor to support your head ( so that your head is about 12 inches above  the floor ). Your other hand must be placed on the floor face down infront of your stomach region. Now lift your leg which is away from the floor as far as you can. Hold for sometime and come down slowly. Repeat atleast 10 times. Turn over and repeat the procedure aiming at the other leg. Gradually increase the number of times you do it.\nGood Luck.
407545
Congratulations on losing the weight. \n\nI had the abdomnioplasty done back in 2002.  Given the choice over again...I would not. \n\nI had some internal bleeding, that had to be reopened, and spent another week in the hospital, now, I have an incision from hip to hip...and an indented scar tissue over my belly. \n\nI would opt to do it via exercise.  Be proud of your accomplishment of losing the weight.  Skin is elastic...exercise and time, will make it tight. \n\nThe risk was not worth it. \n\nGood luck.
489941
If its just post-operative swelling it should be fine when it dissipates. The apron effect (sagging belly) is from having kids and not having retained strong stomach muscles not from the hysterectomy.
41294
lots of sit-ups, but diagonal, elbow to opposite knee.\nit works.
105004
No, better to do all your heavy lifting before you go to the surgeon. That way he can fix all the damage at once that you caused by stupidity.\n\nNo, you should not be doing any lifting if you have a hernia, you dr. should have explained that. After the operation you are not going to be able to lift anything for a while. Just enjoy the rest and let others lift for you.
425541
Exercise, exersice, exercise
982812
Core strengthening is where it's at.  Do some crunches, only lifting your shoulders a few inches and holding for at least 5 seconds; strengthen your back by lying face-down, spread-eagle, and lift one arm and the opposite leg a few inches off the floor, and alternate (TUCK IN YOUR ABS FIRST OR YOU'LL HURT YOUR BACK).  The cat stretch is good too.  On all 4's, shoulder width apart, let your tummy sag/sway back, and breathe.  Then raise your back like a frightened cat, pulling your belly button in as you keep breathing.  Repeat several times.  \n\nI also find it helpful to sit on an exercise ball instead of an office chair when I'm at the computer.  You'll strengthen your core without even noticing your doing it.  Good luck.  The best way to get proper excercises for your condition is to get them from a physio.
670187
Swimming is the best exercise. Do stomach crunchs (where you go up half way) to flatten your tummy.
329656
Definitely sit ups, another thing you can do is pushus, yeah sounds weird but it does help somehow, you can also do this one exercise were you lay flat on your back, then putyour arms andhands flat on the ground as well, and keep them right by your sides without moving them and you lift you legs up 6 inches or a foot, the less you raise them the better the work out cause it really constricts and tightens up your lower abdomen muscles, well you lift your legs up striahgt together and then out them down the same way, don't bend your knees, don't let them drop, and do about 20 of these and then 30 and then 50 etc. as many as you can do as many reps and you will see some awesome results in a week if you do a lot of reps everyday a few times a day. It's the best thing I can think of, apart from running of course
546637
You are usually able to walk immediately after surgery and is in fact encouraged to do so 3 or 4 times per day for 1 to 2 minutes each time.  However, you will more than likely not be able to stand up straight, more of a hunched over type of posture.  The skin of the abdomen will be quite tight and you are usually instructed to remain bent over at least 45 degrees for the first 4 to 5 days after surgery.  Patients will often note some back discomfort due to the 45 degree positioning for 4 to 5 days after surgery so ask your surgeon about muscle relaxants or valium.\n\nThe drains that have been placed will generally be removed 4 to 14 days after surgery.  At the end of 4 days the patient may begin to straighten up and by six days post-op may or may not be fully straight.  You should take it easy for at least two weeks after surgery.  While the drains are in, you will be on bed rest with a very small amount of walking as outline above.  However if your drains are in for an extended amount of time, you will of course not be expected to sit in bed all day.  An abdominal pressure garment may be placed around you during one of your post-operative appointments and you may be instructed to wear this for 3 to 6 weeks.\n\nSome swelling and discoloration are normal but generally this is minimal.  Of course this is dependent upon the individual.
185276
The 3 Most Effective Stomach Exercises \n1: Bicycle Maneuver \n\nGetting Into Position \n\nLie flat on your mat, with your lower back pressed to the mat. \n\nYour head is resting on your hands with elbows bent and out to the sides. \n\nRaise your head, neck and shoulders as you pull your knees up towards your chest. \n\nThe Exercise \n\nSlowly go through a bicycle pedaling motion by pushing your left leg out while at the same time twisting your torso to bring your left elbow to touch your right knee. \n\nReturn slowly to the starting position by pulling both knees into your chest. \n\nWithout stopping, push out your right leg while at the same time twist your torso to bring your right elbow to touch your left knee. \n\nKeep even relaxed breathing throughout. \n\nRepeat this continuous motion by alternating 5 times on each sides. As you get stronger, alternating 10 times on each side. \n\n2: Captain's Chair \n\nThis exercise requires a piece of stomach workout equipment, the Captain's Chair, which looks like a tall chair without a seat. \n\nGetting Into Position \n\nStabilize your upper body by gripping the handholds and lightly pressing your lower back against the back pad. \n\nThe starting position begins with you holding your body up and legs dangling below. \n\nThe Exercise \n\nNow slowly lift your knees in toward your chest. The motion should be controlled and deliberate as you bring the knees up and return them back to the starting position. \n\nDo 12 repetitions. \n\n3: Crunch on Exercise Ball \n\nGetting Into Position \n\nSit on an exercise ball with your feet flat on the floor. Let the ball roll back slowly. \n\nNow lie back on the ball until your thighs and torso are parallel with the floor. \n\nPlace hands behind your head (or cross your arms over your chest) and slightly tuck your chin in toward your chest. \n\nThe Exercise \n\nContract your stomach, raising your torso to no more than 45 degrees. For better balance, spread your feet wider apart. \n\nTo challenge the obliques, make the exercise less stable by moving your feet closer together. \n\nExhale as you contract; inhale as you return to the starting position. \n\nDo 12 repetitions. \n\nThe Cool Down \n\nDo a lower intensity version of the marching in place warm up exercise, for 3-5 minutes, to cool down your body and get your heart rate return to normal level. \n\n\n\nThe Stomach Stretch \nStomach Stretch 1 \n\nStand tall with with your feet hip-width apart. \n\nLift your arms straight up towards the ceiling, your palms facing forward. \n\nWith slow, controlled movements, bring your arms down to your sides. \n\nYour palms should end up facing inward. At the same time, round your back, bring your chin towards your chest and contract your stomach muscles. \n\nHold for 20 seconds. \n\nReturn slowly to the starting position. \n\nDo 10 times. \n\nStomach Stretch 2 \n\nStand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Unlock your knees and roll back your shoulders. \n\nRaise your arms out to the sides, to shoulder level and parallel to the floor. \n\nTwist your torso as far as you can to your left. \n\nTry to twist only from your waist and keep your lower body stable. \n\nTwist back as far as you can to your right. \n\nContinue twisting left and right until you've done 30 to 50 times. \n\n\nStomach Exercises And Healthy Weight Loss Diets \nExercise alone will not get you a flat stomach; it'll merely give you stronger stomach muscles. \n\nThe key to having a flatter stomach is a combination of these 3 things: \n\n\n\nEat a healthy-weight-loss diet; \n\nInclude cardio exercise in your exercise program; \n\nPlus doing extra of the 3 above proven effective stomach exercises \n\nThen you'll be on your way to having a stronger and flatter stomach!!!!
999128
My achilles tendon finally blew out due to past injuries, breaking\nmy foot 2x, and countless sprains and strains. I ended up having\n5 different casts put on, each time after they would move my\nfoot at a different angle and then recast. \nThings to do afterward: massage the incision! Do EVERYTHING\nthey advise you to do in rehab! Keep it as flexible as you can.\nRe: exercise. You probably will need to keep it to non-impact\nexercises. I work out on resistance weight machines at the gym-\n30 minutes 3x weekly-be diligent! In 10 months I have lost 52\npounds and countless inches...it's amazing and incredible! Your\nbody will become firmer and more toned, and your metabolism\nwill continue to run after you are finished with your workout. I\nstarted on the Atkins...stayed on it for almost 2 months solid. I\nthen went to a regular diet...making fried and fast food a real\nexception...maybe 2-3x monthly. Sauteed, grilled, baked, roasted\nor slow-cooked is how I prepare the meat now...lots of veggies\nand salads and fruit, cutting back on the "side dishes". I eat a ton\nof pop corn...it lets me munch forever, and it's good for me also.\nStick with it...recuperation is not forever and you will feel so much\nbetter afterward. Get with a regular exercise plan and stay with\nit--incorporate it into your lifestyle--make it a priority. Good Luck!
510098
it sounds strange, but for real, try this exercise. Lay on your back, arms out to the sides. Bend your knees up and with your feet together, make figure eights in the air. Do as many as you can every day.  It tightens your stomach muscles.
809922
I am a RN who has  taught Nursing for over 20 years.  I have also had a Laparoscopy and D&C performed when I was in my 30's.  Of course everyone responds to surgeries differently but it seems to me that I had one week vacation following that surgery.  I also went back to work 10 days after abdominal surgery for a small bowel resection because I was needed back at work but didn't lift anything of considerable weight.  I would think that if your husband is able to take one week off from work to help out at home with the kids that that should be sufficient.  Just don't try to lift the kids and explain to them that you have a tummy ache which they should understand.  I'm sure they will be glad to assist you.  As for pain this is also very individual.  I was given pain medication by my physician and found that this covered my pain pretty well.  Since the incisions for a laparoscopy are so small they didn't hurt at all.  The gas was somewhat uncomfortable but warm baths seemed to help until it was resorbed by my body.  The pain medication helped the crampy feeling from the D&C and I was on my feet much of each day.  How fortunate you are to have a husband to help you out.  I'm pretty sure that you will be feeling your usual self again in 7-10 days.  Good luck to you and God bless.
1140658
the hardest ab exercises are the ones that involve your legs.  Lay down on your back all stretched out and without bending your knees lift your legs to a 45 degree slowly and down.  Do this 100 times and you'll feel the burn! :-)
169771
Sit ups...and lots of them.\nWorked for me.