After ostomy surgery, it’s natural to wonder how life will change with your new ostomy. One of your first steps will be learning to care for your stoma and discovering which ostomy products work best for your unique needs. But as you heal and regain your strength, you may start thinking about how to return to daily routines—including physical activity with an ostomy.
You might ask yourself, “Can I exercise with an ostomy?” The good news is that once you’ve fully recovered, you’ll find plenty of ways to stay active and enjoy a healthy lifestyle with your new urostomy, ileostomy, or colostomy!
What Types of Exercise Are Safe with an Ostomy?
You may be wondering which activities are safe to do after ostomy surgery. Here, we’ll walk you through some common exercises and how to approach them with an ostomy.
Can I walk, run, or go hiking with an ostomy?
If you’re eager to return to your favorite outdoor activities like walking in the park, running, or hiking, the good news is that these types of exercise are generally safe once your doctor has determined you’ve healed enough.
However, you should probably take it slow, especially at first. Here are a few tips:
- Ease into exercise: Start slowly with your doctor’s approval. If you’re trying to get back into running, you might try gentle intervals between walking for a few minutes and running or jogging for one minute. Then, you can gradually increase your running time as you build stamina.
- Use supportive ostomy belts or other ostomy accessories: To avoid any issues with your pouch loosening or leaking, consider using an ostomy belt. A belt can help keep your pouch secure and can prevent leaks during physical activity.
180 Medical’s trained Ostomy Specialists can help you discover which ostomy pouches and accessories best suit your body, needs, and exercise routine.
Can I lift weights with an ostomy?
The short answer is yes, but only with your doctor’s approval. Even then, starting back into physical activity slowly with a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy is important.
For example, if you’ve been living with a condition like Crohn’s Disease, your body’s muscles may have wasted due to malnutrition. This is because a gut with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) cannot always absorb nutrients, which can cause weight loss, fatigue, and more properly. With your new ostomy, you’ll hopefully begin to feel better, gain more energy, and have a nutritious diet.
Keep in mind that you’ve had major surgery, so your abdominal muscles need plenty of time to heal before overworking them.
It’s okay if you can’t lift as heavy of weights as you did before your illness, especially at first. Listen to your body and avoid straining. Over time, you may be able to regain your strength, but proceed with caution and consult your doctor first.
Can I practice yoga with an ostomy?
If you were already a seasoned yogi before your ostomy surgery, then you know that different yoga types have varying levels of intensity. For example, Hatha yoga is a slower and more peaceful form of yoga, while other classes like Bikram yoga may involve a heated room and a constant flow of yoga poses that can keep you moving and get you sweaty.
The best answer is to talk to your doctor about when it’s time to get back to your favorite exercise classes, such as yoga or pilates. Make sure your incision sites and abdominal muscles have fully healed since both yoga and pilates rely heavily on core strength.
Don’t be afraid to move at your own pace. Most yoga teachers will understand whether or not you tell them you’ve had surgery. However, you don’t have to tell anyone about your ostomy if you don’t want to.
Many people who do yoga or exercise prefer wearing wraps or additional tight-fitting layers to keep their ostomy bag secure. Also, most ostomy skin barriers are water-resistant and should be able to stay sealed to your skin while you move and sweat. If you want extra security, products like ease™ Strips can help further secure your skin barrier during exercise.
Can I swim with an ostomy?
Yes, swimming is a low-impact exercise that’s gentle on the body and great for rebuilding your strength and stamina. You should be able to swim with an ostomy once your doctor gives you the okay.
Here are a few quick tips for feeling confident and secure in the pool or ocean again.
- Wear concealing swimwear: If you’re concerned about visibility, brands like Ostomysecrets offer wraps, concealing swimwear, and accessories designed for ostomates.
- Protect your pouch filter: For colostomies or ileostomies, be sure to cover your pouch filter to prevent water from entering.
- Try a water-resistant, discreet pouch: Products like Esteem Body™ Soft Convex Pouches are water-resistant and available in different types to suit your needs.
Talk to 180 Medical’s Ostomy Specialists about finding the right ostomy pouch for you. We also offer helpful ostomy care accessories such as ostomy barrier strips (ease™ strips) and mini pouches without a filter, such as the Sur-Fit Natura Mini Pouch.
Tips for Exercise With an Ostomy
No matter what type of physical activity you choose, here are some helpful tips for your health as you adjust to your new ostomy:
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- Stay well-hydrated
- Avoid triggering foods that may cause stomach upset or gas
- Avoid diuretics like caffeine or other irritants
- Eat a healthy doctor-approved diet
- Start out slow and pace yourself
- Find helpful tips and tricks from ostomates in the me+ community
- You may want to stay away from violent or very physical contact sports that could damage your stoma or rupture your pouch
- Find flattering, discreet clothing and accessories for your ostomy with Ostomysecrets
- Only seek medical advice from your healthcare professional like a doctor or registered WOCN (Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse)
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Get Support and Find the Right Ostomy Products
Are you looking for a reliable ostomy supply company? Get in touch with 180 Medical’s team of trained, friendly Ostomy Specialists today. We’ll gladly help you find the right ostomy products that suit your needs.
We’re always excited to hear from our customers about what adventures they’re experiencing in their new lives as ostomates. Many of them participate in all kinds of fun activities like tennis, volleyball, and karate. We even have a gentleman in his 80s who pole-vaults, a minor league baseball player, skydivers, and marathon runners!
Because of our awesome customers, we know you can still live an active lifestyle with an ostomy. Contact us today to learn more about our high-quality ostomy supplies and top-notch customer service.
Disclaimer: Please note that this is intended to provide a general understanding of physical activities that some people with an ostomy participate in once they’ve been given approval from their prescribing doctor. This article should not be taken as medical advice or used in place of a visit, call, or consultation with a healthcare provider.
