Phase 1 - Foundation

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

If you’ve ever had stoma surgery, currently have a stoma or have had a reversal, then me+™ recovery may be right for you.

In the early days after your operation, there’s a lot to come to terms with, and it can be a difficult and challenging time. But having an ostomy doesn’t have to stop you from living a completely normal and healthy life. 

In fact, many people with a stoma are surprised at just how well they adapt and in many cases their quality of life improves. The me+™ recovery series is designed to guide each person – step by step – through recovery, after surgery and beyond. 

This handbook provides you with information about recovery after surgery over the weeks, months and years to come. But please don’t feel overwhelmed. Just take your time; we’re here for you every step of the way.

With the approval of your healthcare professional, you should be able to start these recovery movements 3-7 days after your operation, or as soon as you feel ready. Then continue when you are discharged and back home. These moves are also ideal if you had surgery some time ago, but have never done any abdominal recovery exercises.

This phase is your foundation. You should not move forward to Phase 2 or 3 until you've mastered Phase 1. 

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