Recovery from a hernia requires two to six weeks of "light duty," including restricted lifting and sticking to no- and low-impact activities as much as possible. Six weeks of this can put a real dent into somebody's fitness and weight-loss goals. However, a few exercises can be done during recovery to help you meet your goals without re-injury. However, every case in different, so always OK any exercise plans during a hernia surgery recovery period with your doctor.
Hernia Basics
An inguinal hernia is the type most people are referring to when they use the term. An inguinal hernia is a tear in the abdominal lining through which some of the intestines or other internal organs can pass. The fix is to surgically implant a mesh that patches the tear, much like patching a blanket or flat tire. In recovery, heavy exertion in the abdomen can cause the patch to come loose from the muscles it was fastened to -- meaning you have to start the process over again.
Resistance Exercise
Resistance exercises are a definite no-no while recovering from a hernia. These kinds of exercises benefit you by increasing the load your muscles take on -- a behavior that's contraindicated for speedy and uncomplicated recovery from a hernia surgery. Examples of resistance exercises include weightlifting, calisthenics and resistance band workouts. As a general rule, stay away from these workouts until you get the OK from your treatment team. This is OK from a weight-loss perspective because resistance workouts are better for building strength than they are for burning calories.
Cardiovascular Exercises
Cardiovascular exercises burn calories by elevating the heart rate for an extended period. Because you're not lifting heavy weights, many cardio exercises likely would be allowed if you have, or are recovering from, a hernia. However, not all cardio exercises work for these purposes. Swimming, for example, puts pressure on your abdomen with every stroke, and aerobic exercise often targets the abdomen because flat bellies are a common goal among aerobics customers.
Expert Insight
The best advice about weight-loss exercises for hernia patients is to talk with your treatment team. Only they will know what's best for your particular situation. However, low-impact cardio exercises such as walking or an elliptical trainer can help you lose weight without stressing your healing abdomen. As you go stronger, you may check out for more aggressive exercise -- but again, you should check with your doctor before proceeding.
References
- "The Sports Injuries Handbook"; Christer Rolf; 2010
- StomaData: Hernias and Weight Loss
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