me+™ Recovery Series

The information in the handbooks and series is not intended to provide medical advice. You should speak with your healthcare professional before engaging in physical activity following ostomy surgery. In the event you experience pain or discomfort, stop the activity immediately and contact your health care professional.

The me+™ recovery series provides information and support about the importance of movement and physical activity after ostomy surgery.

Too many people are worried about harming themselves by doing physical activity, when in fact there are so many benefits to being active. To address this, we developed the me+ recovery series which is based-on gentle movements - guiding users through their recovery after ostomy surgery and beyond. The series includes three phases of recovery handbooks with a progression of gentle movements and important information on:

• Lifting and moving safely
• Strengthening the pelvic floor
• A 3-phase core and abdominal series

Abdominal and Core Recovery Series Phases 1-3

The movements in this series are gentle recovery movements to help reconnect with your abdominal muscles after surgery. You can work through the moves stage-by-stage, taking into consideration your health and any other medical conditions.

Phase 1 - Foundation

Start in the hospital and then continue at home. This phase is also the starting point if you’ve never done any abdominal movements before, even if your surgery was years ago.

If possible, and your healthcare professional approves, you can follow the program BEFORE your ostomy surgery to pre-habitate and strengthen your muscles prior to your operation.

Phase 2 - Making Progress

These are a progression of the green moves, and while slightly more challenging are still gentle. You should be comfortable with the green moves and have approval from your healthcare professional before progressing to this phase.

If you find it hard to get down onto the floor (if you’ve had a knee replacement for example) choose the ‘sitting or standing’ movements from this phase or do the moves in your bed.

Phase 3 - Getting Fitter

These moves are a further progression and should only be done once you’re confident with phase 2 and with your healthcare professional’s approval. You may get to this stage 8-12 weeks after your surgery.

The me+ recovery series is adapted from the me+ recovery nurse training course which is RCN (Royal College Nursing) and ACPGGI (Association Coloproctology GB and Ireland) accredited in the UK and have undergone extensive peer and expert review.

Peer Reviewed by: Prof Sina Dorudi, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, Mike Grice, Osteopath, Lecturer Sports Therapy and Module Leader for Athletic Movement Analysis, Dr Iseult Wilson, Institute of Nursing and Health Research