After a complete or partial hysterectomy, wait until your physician says you are ready before attempting abdominal exercise. This is typically a minimum of six weeks. Abdominal exercises are beneficial because during a hysterectomy, the fascia (connective tissue) is cut and loses strength. Ab exercises help you regain strength and elasticity. Exercises such as the pelvic tilt, crunches and ball crunches are likely appropriate, but check with your doctor first.
Pelvic Tilts
After a hysterectomy, the pelvic tilt will be more of a challenge than it was before the surgery, but it is likely an appropriate place to start re-strengthening your stomach muscles. To perform a pelvic tilt, lie on your back and rest your head on a pillow. Have your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Squeeze your legs together. Then, breathe out and push your lower back into the floor by tucking your tailbone to tilt your pelvis while squeezing your abs. Relax your stomach and let your back move off the floor as your pelvis moves back to the starting position. You also can do pelvic tilts in bed or on an exercise mat.
Crunches
Crunches are a standard ab exercise, but there are some modifications that might make them more comfortable after surgery. The key to doing a crunch correctly is to round your upper back so it curves like a "C" as you lift off the floor. This results in an action called spinal flexion, which is what you want. Lie on your back with your head on a pillow. Place your hands behind your head or have your arms crossed on your chest. Bend your knees, and place your feet together on the floor. Before moving, squeeze your abs tight. Then, lift your head, chest and shoulders toward your knees, bringing your body slowly off the floor. Return slowly to the floor without relaxing your abs.
Ball Crunches
Ball crunches are performed lying on a Swiss ball. The Swiss ball is sold under names such as a stability ball, core ball or exercise ball, among others. To perform a ball crunch, lie face-up with your back supported on the ball. Your feet are flat, knees are bent and your head is held parallel to the floor. A workout buddy can sit behind you and hold the ball's sides to steady it if necessary until your core is strong enough to do the exercise without help. Squeeze your abs, and initiate the crunch by tilting your chin. Continue to curl your spine up one vertebra at a time off the ball. Reverse the movement to complete a ball crunch.
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