For those that have had JPouch surgery-athletics

I am not a fitness fanatic but I can tell you, with the loop ileo, I didn't work out at all. I took long walks, but beyond that, I had dizziness from low BP and I was dehydrated, it was really difficult to do anything too active (that lasts 8 weeks). By the time you're ready for takedown step, you are well healed from that step, I didn't have any pain at the incisions at that point.

Takedown is a very easy step. There is no incision, they go in through the stoma and reconnect the pouch to the small intestine. I was in and out of the hospital in under 48 hours. The first few weeks, I had unpredictability in my BMs, not like UC where you're unable to get to the toilet, but pressure - gas related, frequency, looseness... I took it really easy for probably 3-4 weeks. The stoma wound takes a while to heal. After that, things were pretty much normal. I learned that I could pass gas, and that eliminated a lot of unnecessary trips to the toilet... I could work out. I actually had more energy too, which was great. You would really need to ask your surgeon for recommendation. I am pretty sure you're not supposed to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 4 weeks.

Not a finatic here but about 2 months after my final surgery I decided to join a gym. It was a long time since I had felt well enough to do so. I started slow just doing the treadmill and elliptical and then worked up to the weight machines. (It took a little while before I felt comfortable doing ab exercises). It's usually 8 weeks after surgery before exercise but lifting weights could be a little longer.

Another factor could be if the initial surgery is open or laparoscopic. With lapo you tend to heal much faster.

I didn't do any core exercises while I had the ostomy because of hernia concerns, although I did a good amount of running with the end ileostomy (my hydration and nutrition with the loop ileo were just too crappy, could never get my energy up enough).

Post takedown I started doing planks maybe 3-4 months later. I was still very fatigued during the first year and didn't gain back the weight I lost or regain my appetite completely until then, which is the main reason I stayed out of the gym. I was a competitive powerlifter before I got sick and have returned to my previous levels of strength (or exceeded them) post-takedown. I still notice some deficits in my core strength, especially with advanced movements using a stability ball, and I try to avoid movements that overly stretch the abdominals like ab wheel rollouts. Overall I think my core strength is better than most people who have never had surgery, but I admit I work at it a lot!