MissMolly wrote:Lee, I have never heard of walking as being identified as contributing to parastomal or incisional hernias. Being upright and standing does contribute to the outward abdominal pressure gradient simply by virtue of the effects of gravity and the weight of abdominal organs and fat/adipose tissue. But certainly the benefits of walking theough maintaining a healthy weight is a stronger benefit of walking to limit/minimize a hernia than any adverse contribution. Walking, in and of itself, will not cause a hernia.
Karen
Hi Karen, It's what my surgeon told me and yes I believe he is correct. What I do is more than just "walking", it's "power walking". I walk at a very fast pace for a good hour and more and yes I have read where high impact activities can contribute to these types of hernias. When I had that repair surgery, I was not allowed to "power walk" for 3 months, and even then spend another 3 months gradually increasing my speed. Regular walking was always okay.
We both agree (surgeon and I), this exercise is good for me, I enjoy it and have been doing it for 13+ years now. The benefits outweigh the hernia and my hernia is gradually coming back. At some point I will have my stoma place on the other side of my body. We are hoping that will carry me for the rest of my life.
Until then, one foot in front of the other.
Lee