General advice to help minimise the risk of parastomal hernia development following surgery
Strong abdominal muscles are the premise for this prevention programme and any general exercise which uses these muscles is beneficial (eg: swimming, walking and cycling). Please check with your surgeon or stoma care nurse before undertaking any exercise programme.
Avoid heavy lifting for 3 months post surgery
Try to maintain good posture at all times
Carry out the exercises below from as early as discharge if the wound has completely healed
Use a support belt or girdle when undertaking heavy lifting or heavy working after 3 months and until at least 12 months post-operatively
Keep your weight within the BMI (Body mass index) 20-25
Support your stoma and abdomen whilst coughing in the first few months following surgery
Abdominal Exercises following stoma forming:
Pelvic Tilting
Lie on your back on a firm surface with knees bent and feet flat on the bed.
Pull your tummy in, tilt your bottom upwards slightly whilst pressing the middle of your back into the bed and hold for 2 seconds
Let go slowly
Repeat 10 times daily
Knee rolling
Lie on your back on a firm surface with knees bent and feet flat on the bed.
Pull your tummy in and keeping your knees together, slowly roll them from side to side
Repeat 10 times
Abdominal sit ups
Lie on your back on a firm surface with knees bent and feet flat on the bed.
Place your hands on the front of your thighs and pull your tummy in
Lift your head off the pillow
Hold for 3 seconds, then slowly return to starting position
Repeat 10 times daily
(Taken from Thompson, M.J. Trainor,B. (2007) Prevention of parastomal hernia: a comparison of results 3 years on IN Gastro-intestinal Nursing Journal 5(3):22-28. Images reprinted with kind permission from Respond Plus)
