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The Best Workouts and Exercises After Appendicitis or an Appendectomy
Post-Surgery Exercises in Bed
If you’ve had a minimally invasive laparoscopic appendix removal, you might get to go home from the hospital the same day, according to Cleveland Clinic. Your at-home recuperation might take about one to three weeks in all, and you’ll typically be asked to limit your activity for the first three to five days or so, according to Mayo Clinic.
But if you’ve recently had an open appendectomy, chances are you’ll be in bed for a longer period of time as your body heals. Many people don’t return to regular activities for about a month and are advised to limit activity for 10 to 14 days.
With either surgery, most people recover within about six weeks, though a return to exercises that engage the abdominal muscles may be delayed, depending on your specific situation.
Once you start to feel up to it, there are a few gentle movements you can do in bed, as long as your doctor approves. The NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City recommends starting off with basic movements to help improve blood flow and circulation in the lower portions of your body.
1. Quad Sets
- Lying in bed on your back, squeeze your quad muscles (the front of your thighs), and push the back of your knee into the bed.
- Hold for three to five seconds, as your endurance allows, then relax.
- Repeat five times.
2. Ankle Pumps
- Lying in bed on your back, flex your ankle so that your toes point toward the ceiling (or as far back as your mobility allows).
- Hold for a moment with your toes pointed up.
- Next, point your toes forward, parallel with the bed, as much as you can.
- Repeat this cycle five times.
3. Partial Heel Slide
- Lying in bed on your back, bend your right knee and slide your right heel along the bed up toward your butt. Stop when your right foot is next to your left knee.
- Slide your foot back to meet the other.
- Repeat five times on the right leg before switching legs.
4. Hip Rotations
- Lying in bed on your back, rotate your right leg out, from the toes up to the hip.
- With a smooth, controlled motion, rotate the right leg back to center so your leg is flat on the bed again.
- Repeat this five times on each leg.
Performing bed exercises can also help reduce the risk of blood clots in your lower extremities, according to the American Blood Clot Association. Aim to do these exercises every day while in bed.
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