Convatec me+ recovery: After Ostomy Surgery

Life after ostomy surgery brings change—and support can make all the difference. The me+ recovery program offers practical guidance and gentle exercises to help you rebuild strength, confidence, and independence.

Think of it as a supportive guide for your recovery, designed to help you get back to doing what you enjoy, at your own pace.

The Convatec me+ recovery program has been developed by Sarah Russell MSc, a clinical exercise physiologist and expert in stoma and hernia rehabilitation. Sarah is the founder of The Ostomy Studio and the author of the Bowel Cancer Recovery Toolkit. She has also published numerous papers in scientific journals and worked in a clinical trial to investigate exercises for people with hernias. Sarah has ensured that Convatec me+ recovery goes beyond physical healing — it’s about reconnecting with your body and rebuilding confidence.

Convatec me+ recovery is part of the Convatec me+ personalized support program from Convatec, your ostomy journey companion, empowering people with an ostomy through tailored education, practical and emotional guidance, and meaningful community connection.

What’s included?

Three easy-to-follow booklets guiding your rehabilitation.
Step-by-step videos for each movement.

Your safety comes first. Before you begin:

Consult your healthcare provider.
If you feel unexpected pain or discomfort, adjust your approach or try a different exercise.
Move at your own pace. Use supports or aids, if recommended.

Core Basics: The first steps

Core Basics is the first step in your recovery journey, focused on understanding and reconnecting your deep core system — the foundation for safe recovery.

Whether you're preparing for surgery, recovering afterward, or managing long-term healing, this phase helps you engage your body's stability system and adopt a flexible approach to movement, learning when to move and when to rest.

Core Movement: Progressive exercises for strength and stability

You’ve laid the groundwork and built a strong foundation with Core Basics, focusing on diaphragmatic breathing, core connection, and safe movement techniques.

Now you’re ready to move into the next phase: Core Movement. Core Movement is a progressive series of exercises designed to gently increase strength and flexibility, build confidence in daily movement, and support long-term recovery.

To order a copy of the Core Movement Booklet, call our me+ support team us at 1-800-465-6302, Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm (ET), or send an email at convatec.canada@convatec.com

Core Progress: Continuing your rehabiltation

Core Progress is the next phase in the Convatec me+ recovery program, designed to further develop your core strength, stability, and control through stoma-friendly exercises. Building on everything from Core Basics and Core Movement, this stage prepares you to move beyond Convatec me+ recovery into daily exercise and activities.

Begin Core Progress only when you’ve mastered earlier exercises, can confidently engage your deep core muscles, and feel ready to move forward.

To order a copy of the Core Progress Booklet, call our me+ support team us at 1-800-465-6302, Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm (ET), or send an email at convatec.canada@convatec.com

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 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