No Date: Preoperation exercises, I have 4 months

At this point I don't know if my Hyst will be Lapar or through bakini cut. Doc plans to do Lapar if possible. I am wondering if there are exercises I can do now to help boost my recovery later. I am having my hyst in the fall of 2010. Am currently working on getting the date set.

I haven't been given any suggestions, but I figured I need to work on my upper body strength to avoid straining my core. I would like to tone up my belly a bit so that the muscles can bounce back, so to speak, or have a good muscle memory.

I don't know, good luck.

I had a da vinci on the 13th of april. Prior to surgery I worked on my core muscles. I did a tai bo workout every other night for my abs. Then during the day, i ran/walked to strengthen my lungs and legs. I have to say I am sooo glad I did that prior to surgery. My last lap surgery was actually more painful, in the belly area, than my hyst. Immediately after surgery i was up going to the bathroom and had minimal belly pain. My vaginal cuff was the painful part. Unfortunately you can't strenghten that ;-) I am almost two weeks post op and still the most pain I have had was from the gas and the vaginal cuff. Otherwise I am sore but have adequate core muscles to get up and around.
Hope that helps ;-)

good thoughts nieceMB. Hmm. I guess Kegals won't help the cuff, only the bladder...

I had 4 months to prepare for surgery. I am overweight and out of shape and was very worried about my body's strength post-surgery. I knew I'd have to use my arms and legs a lot to compensate for my stomach muscles being out of commission.

I did water aerobics and swimming daily and it really helped. My doc said he could tell I had been exercising and that it made all the difference in the world when it came to my recovery.

If you are in good shape now, then you won't need that strict of a regimen but it sure helped me.

Best wishes on your surgery and recovery!

Hi SunMoonStar! From what I have read and heard from my girlfriend who is a physiotherapist, it is really imporant to improve your cardio/lung capacity as much as possible to help us recover from the anaesthetic. So even deep breathing exercises or better yet, cardiovascular exercise.

Good question to post!! Best of luck with your prep and recovery!!

Great Info! Thank you all!