Staying active after stoma surgery can help improve both physical and mental wellbeing. With the right rehabilitation, you can feel confident returning to the activities you love – whether it’s gentle fitness or a demanding athletic sport.
Exercise and wellbeing
In this page, we will provide answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about exercising with a stoma. Learn about the new EXPASS (Exercise and Physical Activity after Stoma Surgery) recommendations and gain tips for keeping your stoma bag secure.
Also hear from blogger Sam Cleasby, a.k.a. SoBadAss on swimming with a stoma and her advice for starting out.
Can I exercise with a stoma?
Many people worry about whether they can exercise with a stoma, especially if stoma surgery was recent. It can feel like one big unknown.
The good news is that you absolutely can, and should exercise after stoma surgery. Exercise plays an essential part in recovery after surgery, and can make a big difference to your emotional wellbeing and overall health.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines recommend that everyone should do a minimum of 150 minutes/2 and a half hours of moderate physical activity per week, including 2 sessions of muscle strengthening exercise.
Whether you exercised before your surgery, or not at all, exercise is a safe and encouraged activity for everyone. With the right recovery plan, you can feel confident having an active lifestyle with a stoma.
Benefits of exercise after stoma surgery
Although people may fear exercise after they have had stoma surgery, it is actually a key part of recovery.
The EXPASS guidelines strongly recommend regular exercise for everyone, highlighting its numerous benefits such as:
Lowering the risk and complications of other health conditions and comorbidities (having two or more health conditions at the same time)
Improving mental wellbeing, quality of life and independence
The potential to reduce the likelihood of parastomal hernia
Reducing the risk of colorectal cancer recurrence
RECOVERY TIME AND EXERCISE
How soon after stoma surgery can I exercise?
There are many factors that determine how soon you can exercise after stoma surgery, there is no set deadline and will vary from person to person. For example, someone who has an active lifestyle and has had less complex stoma surgery may have a faster recovery.
Your recovery plan will be unique to you based on your needs and goals, surgery impact and overall health.
The new guidelines from EXPASS recommend that core rehabilitation should start from 24 hours after surgery. Core rehabilitation should include breathing techniques and abdominal pressure management. Pelvic floor exercises should be started as soon as possible to support tissue healing and recovery.
Your Stoma Care Nurse can help provide personalised advice and support during your recovery period.
The CliniMed Breathing and Movements programme is recognised as a rehabilitation programme that closely aligns with recommendations for Exercise and Physical Activity After Stoma Surgery (EXPASS). The guide includes essential core exercises and breathing techniques to introduce to your recovery plan.
What exercises I should avoid with a stoma?
Most exercises are possible with the right advice and technique, once you have recovered and healed from surgery.
However, it’s important to remember everyone’s fitness levels are different. An exercise that works for one person may not work for another.
If you are unsure whether an exercise routine or specific activity is safe for you, speak with your Stoma Care Nurse who can give you tailored advice.
Can I exercise if I have a parastomal hernia?
Yes, you can still exercise and be active even if you have a parastomal hernia (sometimes called a stoma hernia). A common concern is that exercising will make the parastomal hernia worse, but exercise will actually bring more benefits than risks. Regular core exercises can prevent worsening of the hernia and so should be prioritised.
Even more challenging exercises like weight training are possible with the right technique. To make sure you are exercising safely, engage in core training exercises, breathing strategies and practice pressure management.
New EXPASS guidelines recommend core exercise should be part of your weekly routine, with around 2–3 sessions per week lasting 20–30 minutes.
If you need any further advice or support, speak to your Stoma Care Nurse.
Can I swim with a stoma bag?
Yes, you can go swimming with a stoma. Once you have fully healed, there is no reason why you can’t go swimming.
Stoma bags are designed with strong, waterproof materials so they are perfectly safe for swimming. If your stoma pouch has a filter, you can use a filter cover to protect it when you go swimming. These small stickers prevent water from entering the pouch and make sure the filter works properly.
We interviewed blogger Sam Cleasby, a.k.a. SoBadAss who shares her experience swimming with a stoma and gives her advice to swim confidently.
Will my stoma bag leak?
If your bag is the right size and correctly fitted, then even intense exercise shouldn’t cause leaks.
Tip – Your stoma can change size or shape in the weeks after surgery, so measuring your stoma is key, especially early on.
In this video, Michelle Williams shares her experience using the UltraFrame Flange Extenders. Discover how UltraFrame gives her the confidence to exercise freely – providing discreet, added security without worrying about leaks.
Key takeaways
Exercise shouldn’t be feared after stoma surgery. Exercise plays an essential role in rehabilitation and recovery, not just physically but mentally.
Exercise after stoma surgery poses more benefits than risks and should be part of your weekly routine
What exercises you can do after surgery, and when, varies from person to person based on multiple factors
Swimming with a stoma is perfectly safe. Use filter covers (if applicable) and flange extenders for added security
CliniMed flange extenders; HydroFrame and UltraFrame support active lifestyles
CliniMed breathing and movements guide supports rehabilitation and core strengthening
Stoma care products
Discover CliniMed products recommended to support exercising with a stoma.
Aura® Plus
The Aura Plus range features our plus-shaped flange with medical grade Manuka honey, designed to promote security, comfort and healthy skin. Also available with a soft convex option.
UltraFrame® Flange Extenders
UltraFrame is a flange extender designed to be applied over the edges of your stoma pouch, providing extra security and preventing the edges of the pouch from lifting.
HydroFrame® Flange Extenders with Manuka Honey
HydroFrame with Manuka honey flange extenders are designed to add extra security your pouch. They work by providing additional adhesion to the edges of your flange.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can lift weights with a stoma once you have recovered from surgery. As long as you have the correct lifting technique and you are practising breathing strategies and core strengthening exercises.
There is no set weight you can lift with a stoma. How much you can lift will depend on a various factors, such as your recovery, fitness level and the impact of your surgery. If you would like advice based on your individual goals and needs, your Stoma Care Nurse can support you.
Yes, you can jog with a stoma. Jogging is a exercise for keeping active and improving your mental wellbeing. As long as you have recovered from your surgery and you have been strengthening your core through exercise and practicing breathing techniques.
As you exercise, you will lose fluids and electrolytes through sweat. Staying hydrated is important to replace to fluids you are losing.
The amount you need to drink will depend on how intense the exercise is that you are doing. Generally speaking, the more you are sweating, the more you will need to drink.
Yes, you can squat with a stoma. Make sure you are doing core strengthening exercises and work up to these exercises. If squatting feels uncomfortable, you can modify your movements to make sure you are comfortable. If you need advice about squatting, your Stoma Care Nurse can help.
Yes, you can do sit-ups with a stoma. Sit-ups are possible as long as you have recovered from your surgery and you have been strengthening your core through exercise and practicing breathing techniques. If you are uncertain about sit-ups, speak to your Stoma Care Nurse for advice.
Further reading
Stoma bag customisation
Learn how to measure your stoma and cut your stoma pouch to achieve the best possible fit.
How to choose the right stoma bag
There are a wide variety of stoma bags available, find out which one could work for you.
How to change a stoma bag
Find out how to change a stoma bag and what you’ll need to do so with this step-by-step guide.
Living with a stoma
Find information and advice about living to the fullest with a stoma. From diet, relationships, sleep and more.