Abdominal Surgery

Abdominal surgery is no small thing—it takes a toll on your body, your mobility, and even your confidence in movement. Whether it’s an appendectomy, hernia repair, caesarean section, or bowel surgery, getting back to normal isn’t as simple as just waiting it out. This is where physiotherapy comes in.

A good recovery plan can help you regain strength, prevent complications, and get back to doing what you love sooner rather than later. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the role of physiotherapy after abdominal surgery and give you practical tips to help you on your way. We have had many patients walk through the door who had been told by their surgeon that they will be fine in time, but they saw notable improvements with our guidance.

Why Is Physiotherapy Important After Abdominal Surgery?

Abdominal Surgery in the abdominal area can have a range of effects on your body, including:

Pain and discomfort: Surgical wounds, muscle tension, and internal healing can all cause discomfort.
Reduced mobility: Simple tasks like getting out of bed, bending down, or even breathing deeply can feel difficult.
Muscle weakness: The core muscles play a huge role in movement, and surgery can disrupt their function.
Breathing difficulties: Pain and stiffness can make deep breathing harder, increasing the risk of lung infections.
Risk of complications: Without proper movement and rehab, there’s a higher chance of issues like blood clots, adhesions, or ongoing weakness.

Physiotherapy aims to restore function, improve mobility, and prevent long-term problems.

The Early Days: Hospital Physiotherapy

Most people see a physiotherapist soon after abdominal surgery while still in hospital. The main focus during this stage is:

Deep Breathing Exercises – To prevent lung infections and keep the lungs clear.
Gentle Movements – To reduce stiffness and encourage circulation.
Safe Mobilisation – Learning how to get in and out of bed, stand up, and walk safely without straining the abdominal area.

A common technique is the log roll method—rolling onto your side first before pushing up into a seated position. This reduces strain on the healing tissues.

What Happens When You Go Home?

Once you’re discharged, the real work begins. Recovery can take weeks to months, depending on the type of abdominal surgery and your overall health. Here’s what to focus on:

1. Gentle Movement and Walking

As soon as you’re able, walking should become a daily habit. It promotes circulation, prevents stiffness, and helps restore confidence in movement. Start with short walks around the house and gradually increase the distance.

2. Core and Pelvic Floor Activation

Your abdominal muscles and pelvic floor may be weakened post-surgery. Simple, controlled exercises help to re-engage these muscles without putting too much strain on the area:

Pelvic tilts – Lying down, gently tilt your pelvis back and forth to activate the deep core muscles.
Diaphragmatic breathing – Breathe deeply into your belly, focusing on slow, controlled movements.
Gentle pelvic floor contractions – Engaging these muscles helps with stability and support.

3. Scar and Tissue Management

Once your incision is healing well (usually after 2-3 weeks), gentle scar massage can help prevent adhesions and improve mobility. Use light circular motions with a non-irritating lotion.

When Can You Return to Exercise?

Returning to exercise depends on the type of surgery and your recovery speed. A rough guide is:

Weeks 1-2: Focus on light walking, deep breathing, and gentle activation exercises.
Weeks 3-6: Progress to more structured movement like bodyweight exercises and stretching.
After 6 weeks: Depending on healing, you may start strength training, low-impact cardio, and core work.

Avoid high-impact activities (like running, heavy lifting, or abdominal crunches) until you get the all-clear from your physiotherapist or surgeon.

A Case Study: Emily’s Recovery From Abdominal Surgery

Emily, a 38-year-old office worker, underwent surgery for an umbilical hernia repair. She was fit before surgery but struggled with pain, stiffness, and the fear of moving incorrectly during recovery.

Her physiotherapy plan included:

Week 1-2: Gentle breathing exercises, walking inside the house, and learning safe bed mobility.
Week 3-4: Light core activation work, improving posture, and increasing walking distance.
Week 5-8: Graduating to bodyweight exercises, light yoga, and scar massage.

Exercise Program for Week 5-8:

At this stage, Emily’s physiotherapist introduced a structured program focusing on rebuilding core strength, stability, and overall mobility. Her program included:

Pelvic tilts (Emily tends to tilt anteriorly at her hips so we introduced this for awareness, lying down, 10 reps x 2 sets)
Banded Bridging (gentle glute bridges with hip abduction, 10 reps x 2 sets)
Standing banded hip flexions (standing against a wall, marching with band around feet, 10 reps per side)
Wall push-ups (gentle upper body activation, 10 reps x 2 sets)
Side plank on knees with or without leg lifts (to engage the hips and core, 10 reps per side)
Gentle standing squats (half-depth, focusing on control, 10 reps x 2 sets)
Walking for 20-30 minutes daily

This program helped Emily regain her strength safely without putting too much strain on her healing abdominal muscles. By 12 weeks, Emily was back to her pre-surgery fitness routine with modifications. Her recovery was smooth thanks to early rehab and consistent progressions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring pain – While some discomfort is normal, sharp or increasing pain needs to be checked.
Rushing into exercise too soon – Overdoing it can lead to complications like hernias or muscle tears.
Neglecting core and pelvic floor activation – These are crucial for long-term recovery and stability.
Skipping follow-ups – Seeing a physiotherapist ensures you’re progressing safely.

Final Thoughts

Physiotherapy plays a key role in your recovery after abdominal surgery. The right exercises, movement strategies, and gradual progressions can help you return to normal life feeling stronger and more confident. If you’ve had abdominal surgery, working with a physiotherapist ensures you’re moving safely and preventing long-term issues.Give us a call today if you have any questions 02 9806 3077

References:

Better Health Channel. (n.d.). “Recovering from surgery.” Retrieved from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Australian Physiotherapy Association. (n.d.). “Physiotherapy and post-surgical care.” Retrieved from https://australian.physio
The Royal Women’s Hospital. (n.d.). “Caring for your body after abdominal surgery.” Retrieved from https://www.thewomens.org.au

If you’re recovering from surgery and need guidance, book a session with a physiotherapist to ensure a smooth and safe recovery!