Physical Activities
Exercise
With your healthcare professional's guidance, you can return to most sports and activities you enjoyed before your surgery. The only possible exceptions are contact sports (such as boxing, wrestling or football) because of injury risk to the stoma from a severe blow. People living with a stoma include competitive distance runners, weight lifters, skiers, swimmers and many other amateur and professional athletes. And if you didn’t exercise before your surgery, there’s no time like the present to start.
Here are a few tips for resuming exercise and other physical activities:
- Start slowly and go at your own pace. Your abdominal muscles will need some time to heal from your surgery. Your healthcare professional can tell you when and how to start exercising again.
- Choose an activity you enjoy and that fits into your schedule at least three times a week, for a minimum of 30-60 minutes per session.
- For the best experience, empty your pouch before you exercise. Also, ensure your baseplate has been on for at least an hour prior to getting wet or beginning any activity that will cause you to perspire.
- Most stoma pouching systems are water-resistant — even for swimming.
- For swimmers: cover the vent on your deodorising filter with a filter cover to prevent water from entering the pouch. You can remove the cover once you are dry.
- Want to relax in a sauna or hot tub? No problem, as long as this is approved by your healthcare professional. Simply add a water-resistant tape frame around your barrier to protect the adhesive, and be sure to check the seal periodically.
More in Living With A Stoma
Lifestyle Support
Nutritional Advice
Eating well is a big part of living life on your own terms. The good news: having a stoma should not stand in the way of enjoying good food.
Read moreLifestyle Support
Travel Tips
Extra security precautions are being taken at airports and other transit hubs worldwide. A little pre-planning and understanding of both security rules and your right to privacy can help you avoid problems in transit and enjoy your travels.
Read moreLifestyle Support
Understanding Your Stoma
Just like you, each stoma is one-of-a-kind. Stomas vary in size and can be round, oval or irregular in shape. It may protrude or stay flat against your skin.
Read moreLifestyle Support
Skin Care Tips
Having a peristomal (around the stoma) skin complication is one of the most common reasons people living with a stoma seek medical attention.
Read moreLifestyle Support
Sign up for me+ patient support
The me+™ recovery series, provides information and support about the importance of movement and physical activity after ostomy surgery.
Read moreLifestyle Support
Ileostomy Nutritional Advice
After recovery from surgery, you can gradually resume eating whatever you like—unless your doctor requires you to follow a special diet.
Read moreLifestyle Support
Urostomy Nutritional Advice
Unless your healthcare team gives you specific instructions, people with a urostomy do not need a special diet
Read moreLifestyle Support
Colostomy Nutritional Advice
Like everyone, at times you may experience constipation or diarrhea. Increasing your fluid and fiber intake can help prevent these problems.
Read moreLifestyle Support
Intimacy
Although it’s normal to feel sensitive about how a stoma changes your body, meaningful and fulfilling intimate encounters can still be part of your and your partner’s lives.
Read more