Is there anything I can do fittness wise pre hysterectomy to make the op easier and recovery quicker

Ladies is there anything I can do fitness wise to make the operation easier or recovery quicker. ie does doing 100 sit ups prior to the op help or hinder? If I walk 5ks every morning is that better than 2ks?

I think I am having a full abdominal hysterectomy.

thanks Sue

I focused on ab/core strength in the month before my surgery and did Kegels for the pelvic floor. Did those things help? Hard to know for sure, but my swelly belly is down quite a bit since last week, and I'm not having any problems with bladder leakage. I think being in generally good shape helps with recovery. I'm a walker too, and have worked back to walking half a mile (slowly) three times each day in just over a week PO. I have to believe that's because my legs are used to the activity.

If I had it to do over I would have done more upper body strengthening because at first you have to use your arms to get in and out of bed and to reposition in bed.

Best of luck to you. Wishing you a happy surgery and recovery!

I would work on arm and leg strength as you need all the strength to get yourself out of bed. I have great arm strength and so it was easier to get my body out of a laying or sitting position. You would be surprised as how much you use ab muscles when you can't use them....

I did zumba 5 days a week for at least 40 minutes. Did strength training three days a week. And I rode my peddle bike 4 miles three days a week. I felt i was in pretty good shape. My doctor's nurse even said I looked in good shape. I haven't had any bladder issues or major issues. I did have some issues with diarrhea and I do have pain still at almost 4 weeks out but nothing that isn't normal. I don't know that being in shape helped, but I did use my arms ALOT to get out of bed and roll over in bed so the strength training probably helped there.

While this obviously does not ring true for everyone, the better shape you're in before surgery, the faster you'll return there after.

So yes!! Do anything!!! It's better for you!

I stopped working out a month before my surgery because of pain and I just didn't feel well. But before that I was running 2 miles a day, doing high-intensity cardio workouts with that...I was in pretty good shape...still am lol. I feel like I had an easy recovery. I haven't worked out in about 3 months but I've been given the green light to start running again and I would like to start working out with weights also. I was told that the better shape you're in going into surgery, the quicker you will recover because your body is strong. Seems to be true.

I think any abdominal exercises pre-OP will help, as you won't be doing them afterwards for a while. Also a good time to drop a few kg's if required - less tummy overhang following surgery.

If you have a chance to mix up your exercise (eg gymclasses, cycling etc) then do, as walking is the only recommended exercise for a while afterwards so you won't have any variety then. I'm soooo looking forward to getting back to the gym after several weeks of walking.

My recovery has been excellent - I went in with good health which has helped I'm sure.

Thank you so much ladies I will take it all on board. Thank goodness 8 weeks ago I started a fitness and weight loss regime, so that means that I will go into the op not overweight, and fit!!!

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Originally Posted by suszie1 Thank you so much ladies I will take it all on board. Thank goodness 8 weeks ago I started a fitness and weight loss regime, so that means that I will go into the op not overweight, and fit!!!

That's great!

I am 7 weeks post op and would echo much of what the others have posted. I was talking to a physio friend just yesterday who said again that my recovery (although not without a couple of hiccups!) would have been much, much slower had I not had the fitness levels that I have. My personal trainer at the gym said the same last week telling me that some of her clients really struggle post op.

Personally I think the weight thing is important. As someone else said, you will be using your arms to lift yourself out of bed. This means that your upper body strength will be called upon and, logically, if you are less heavy, then you have less to lift.

Good luck and I am sure your investment in fitness through time and effort now will pay dividends post op

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Originally Posted by Giesen Gal If you have a chance to mix up your exercise (eg gymclasses, cycling etc) then do, as walking is the only recommended exercise for a while afterwards so you won't have any variety then. I'm soooo looking forward to getting back to the gym after several weeks of walking. .

Were you allowed to walk pretty much right away after surgery? (From what I understand, some walking is advised as soon as you're able to help relieve the swelling/bloat.) Did they limit your walking in the beginning?

Lisa