There are many different types of surgeries that people have which require them to rebuild stomach muscles afterwards. It can be difficult to know exactly when it's an appropriate time to begin exercise or the safest way to work out after surgery.
Before Getting Started
Talk to the surgeon who performed the surgery to make sure your workout is appropriate. Determine how often you should be exercising and how much time is available for working out. Put a schedule into place and plan a specific workout routine with the guidance of your physician.
Schedule your fitness routine at the same time each day that you work out. Plan to work out every other day, allowing your body to rest on the "off" days. For example, you might work out each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and rest on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Sip water before and after a workout. Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet in conjunction with your fitness plan. If you skip a workout, keep the next workout appointment that is scheduled. Keep in mind that there will be limits at first. Those limits may go away after a little bit of time, especially after you have worked out on a regular basis. However, the limits are important to understand and work around in the meantime.
Eating Healthfully
Eating healthfully is important when trying to rebuild strength and muscle. Choose healthful foods that provide your body with protein, fiber and energy. Carbohydrates and protein both give the body more energy to work with. Energy and stamina are important for building strong muscles and for recuperating after surgery. Smart choices include green, leafy vegetables and fresh fruits, whole grains (breads, rice, pasta and cereals) and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Yogurt is particularly effective for helping to build strong muscles and reducing belly fat.
Exercises to Build Stomach Muscles
Returning to exercise after surgery, particularly abdominal surgery, can be very difficult. It's important to be cautious. A safe exercise to begin with is walking. It's usually allowed after surgery and is encouraged for rebuilding strength. At first, walk slower and build up to walking faster and longer as endurance and strength become stronger.
Water aerobics or walking in water may be a smart choice after incisions have completely healed. Again, make sure to get medical clearance for water exercises from your doctor. If you have trouble walking very far on dry land, water walking can be extremely beneficial and you may end up burning more calories than you would walking on land.
Other stomach-related exercises may be implemented later on in your fitness routine, but first speak to your doctor and follow his recommendations for specific stomach exercises.
