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LIVESTRONG • SPORTS AND FITNESS • FITNESS • EXERCISES AND WORKOUTS

Exercises After Abdominal Surgery

PEOPLE ARE READING
SARKA-JONAE MILLER
•
REVIEWED BY:
AUBREY BAILEY
•
ON JUNE 19, 2019

3 Ways to Help You Rebuild

1 Muscles After Abdominal Surgery

The Safest Way to Approach

Exercise is an important component of recovering after abdominalExercise
surgeryAfter a Tummy Tuck 2
because failing to exercise could cause a hernia. The muscles of the
abdomen weaken because the incision goes through muscle and fascia,
Hip Abduction Exercises 3
Stretching for Abdominal
which is connective tissue. This will also negatively affect your posture
and balance. Adhesions 4
5 Post C-Section Abs Exercises

How to Exercise After Inguinal

6 Hernia Surgery

https://www.livestrong.com/article/166527-exercises-after-abdominal-surgery/[7/22/2019 12:03:20 AM]

Exercises After Abdominal Surgery | Livestrong.com

(Image: kali9/E+/GettyImages)

VIDEO OF THE DAY

There are exercises you can perform right after surgery and those that
you may have to wait a couple of weeks to do. Follow your doctor's
specific instructions when working out after surgery.

https://www.livestrong.com/article/166527-exercises-after-abdominal-surgery/[7/22/2019 12:03:20 AM]

Exercises After Abdominal Surgery | Livestrong.com

Read more: How to Rebuild Muscles After an Abdominal Surgery

Exercise After Surgery: Ankle Pumps

Ankle pumps are simply moving your ankle up and down. Do this exercise
after surgery every two hours while you are lying in bed during recovery to
improve circulation in your ankles and feet.

To do ankle pumps, plantarflex one foot as if pressing down on a gas

pedal. Then, dorsiflex your feet by pulling your toes up toward your shins
as if letting off the gas. Repeat with the other foot and alternate sides for
20 repetitions.

Take a Walk
Walking is a functional way to start slowly working out after surgery.
Walking short distances after abdominal surgery helps increase blood
flow. Take short walks a few times a day with assistance from a nurse or
helper. Do not try to go very far or move quickly.

Lift Your Butt

The buttocks lift — or bridge — is an easy core exercise for the glutes and
lower back. Keep your abs squeezed tightly during the buttocks lift
exercise to also work the abs.

To perform the buttocks lift, lie face up on the floor or bed with your head
resting on a pillow. Relax your arms next to your sides, palms down. Bring
your feet to about eight to 12 inches from your buttocks so your knees are
bent to slightly less than 90 degrees. Your feet are parallel to each other
and pointing straight ahead.

Squeeze your glutes as if you had a quarter between your cheeks and
raise your buttocks in the air. Go only as high as feels comfortable and no
higher than the distance that puts your body in a line from knees to
shoulders. Lower your buttocks slowly back down.

Read more: Safe Abdominal Exercises After Umbilical Hernia Surgery

https://www.livestrong.com/article/166527-exercises-after-abdominal-surgery/[7/22/2019 12:03:20 AM]

Exercises After Abdominal Surgery | Livestrong.com

Lift Your Head

The head lift is an exercise after surgery for the abs that you can start a
couple of weeks after your procedure. You can do one of several
variations.

Option one is to lie face up on the floor or your bed and bend your knees,
placing your feet about eight inches from your buttocks. Put your hands
behind your head with the elbows bent. Then, press your lower back into
the floor and hold the abs tight. Bring your chin toward your chest without
letting your lower back pop up. Breathe out as you do so. Lower your
head.

Option two begins exactly like option one, but when you exhale and raise
your head, follow with your shoulders until both are off the floor. Be sure
to keep the lower back flat.

Option three is to rotate your trunk and lie your knees on the floor, first on
your right and then the left sides while you lift your head and shoulders.
This emphasizes the oblique muscles on the sides of the abdomen.

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Exercises After Abdominal Surgery | Livestrong.com

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