Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Exercises For Women Who Just Undergone Surgery

By Kat Wendersen

After surgery, the body will have to undergo some significant physical therapy to get back into the shape it was before surgery. Most people would complain that they're not the same after healing from the operation, but that is mostly due to their lack of action right after the procedure. Unless you have been amputated or significantly disabled, there is no reason that you can't regain and even improve flexibility, balance, stability, and strength after going under the knife.

Such physical exercise routines after major surgical procedures will have to be regulated by your physician. You will be recommended an average of 6-12 weeks of recovery before you can do strenuous physical exertion.

Most individuals, after surgery, are most interested in losing weight and toning muscles. This is largely because of the fact that most surgical procedures have the tendency to slow metabolism and reduce the overall level of activity in the body, which in turn induces weight gain.

Regardless of what your goals and your methods are, it is of vital importance to ensure sufficient hydration throughout the process of exercising.

Take it slow and return to your pre-operative level gradually. Here are some specific exercises for two different types of surgery. Again, consult your physician first.

Breast Surgery

About a week after surgery, you'll still be experiencing discomfort. But recovery will be aided by some simple arm exercises. Perform steady breathing during the following:

Lift the arm on the operative side and simulate hair brushing and eating. Do a few reps at most the first few times. Raise that same arm above the heart for an hour, two to three times per day in order to reduce swelling. With the arm raised, gradually open and close the hand, building up to clenching a tennis ball as the discomfort decreases. Alternately bend and straighten the elbow.

After a couple of weeks you may feel fit enough to perform the following exercise.

Get a hold on a stick or broom handle in both hands with palms up and arms stretched out. Lift it overhead, hold for 3 seconds or so, then lower to the pelvis. Do several reps to best effect.

Hysterectomy

After such a procedures, you must work on your midsection, hips, and back to regain and improve movement and balance. A doctor's advice beforehand is best.

Lie on a hard mattress or on the floor with knees bent and hands behind your head. Have the small of your back press slightly against the surface, then increasing the pressure. If it hurts, stop.

Then, lift your shoulders and head off the floor very slightly, taking into account the contraction of the abs. Do not attempt to move the chin closer to your chest: the goal is to very slightly lift the shoulder and the head each time.

While in the same starting position, lift the hip area and hold the position for a few seconds before lowering it to the floor. Repeat this ten times. Afterwards, begin again with the abdominal contraction exercises. The next exercise will then require you to move to a kneeling position, so it may be best to wear some knee pads, or work on a carpeted surface.

This exercise may require you padding on your knees or on the floor itself. Roll over onto your knees and gradually raise an arm and the alternate leg. Repeat with the other side, alternating for around 10 reps.

When you begin even the slightest hint of pain, stop the exercise immediately and rest. Then, slowly pick up where you left of, taking into full account that a lesser extent of strain should be used this time around. - 16650

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