Ab exercises after a BMX with TE's

shabby6485

Hi Ladies,

I had a pbmx on aug 14.  Just started back on threadmill light this week for 30 minutes.  I know I am restricted in terms of lifting weights, ect.  I'd love to work on the abs though. 

Does anyone know any exercises that would work the abs without using the chest? I really am missing my exercise routine!!!!

Thank you!

loriio

Hi Shabby. I'm a little ahead of you, so you might need a little more healing, but I've been able to return to my normal ab work. I don't use hand weights anymore because I don't want to put any unnecessary strain on the pecs. I can do side planks now, but I put my knee down to take a little weight off my shoulder/arm/chest. Of course, all exercises on the stomach are out. Crunches are fine, but it's taken awhile to get comfortable putting my hands behind my head. Now I find it a nice stretch. I have a couple of ab DVDs and I'm able to do most of the exercises with the above modifications.

Good luck to you!

ab1234

Hi there! Yes, you're definitely early on in this process. Good for you for feeling well enough to get back to exercising, but also take it easy!!! 

I just had my final exchange about 3 weeks ago (yay!), and even with this surgery I'm being very cautious with how much a engage my chest muscles. So one ab exercise that works is when you lay on your back, just place your hands under your lower back, and then do scissors, or slowly lower both legs and bring back up. I also found that once I was healing more after the bmx, that pilates-style ab exercises would work. Like when you sit with both legs bent and feet flat on the floor, then slowly lower into the "c-curve" to engage your abs, then just do small pulses, rotate to each side, etc. I also know that many cancer hospitals have free "yoga" classes and those instructors would know EXACTLY what would be good for you at each stage of your recovery.

Good luck to you! And don't push it too hard.  

CorinneM1

I did light aerobics and yoga with my TEs.  Pilates too, but only legs which also helped lower abs.  

I started running after my exchange surgery this has been the best ab workout ever!  Seriously.  I have never ever had a defined flat stomach like I do now. 

NatsFan

I had t/e prior to my delayed DIEP flap. A few months before my DIEP was scheduled, my ps sent me to the hospital PT department to get some core strenghthening exercises.  The PT gave me a series of core and ab exercises, including a lot of stuff on a balance ball, like being on your back, placing your legs on the balance ball, then pulling on the ball, rolling it towards your butt, raising the butt off the ground. I did those exercises daily before my DIEP and that helped me so much during recovery.  I still do many of them today, 4 years later. 

Blessings2011

The first exercises I did post-op was just walking - strolling, actually....

Little by little I increased that to power walking.

I also started riding my adult trike, peddling all the way instead of just coasting down the bike trails. 

I was several MONTHS out from my BMX w/TEs when I went back to the gym. My trainer (a licensed PT) specifically researched my surgery, and gave me a bunch of exercises to do that wouldn't hurt me.

The most basic ab exercise he gave me was reverse crunches. Lying flat, arms at your sides, bend your knees and slowly bring them up to your chest, then slowly lower them. He also had me doing wall sits.

My favorite ab exercises were in the pool, though. I belong to the fitness center at our local rehabilitation hospital. They have a therapy pool that is heated to 94 degrees - pure heaven on sore muscles and aching joints!

Before my last surgery (exchange on 8/22) I was doing 90 minutes of exercise three days a week, including cardio, stretching, strenthening, and resistance. I was getting a REALLY flat stomach!

Alas, the warm water is really too dangerous to enter when there is the tiniest possibility of still having an open incision. All the chemicals in the world can't completely eliminate some bacteria and micro-organisms, so the pool will have to wait until the my incisions are completely closed.