Table 3. Recommendations on the duration of postoperative exertion avoidance to protect the abdominal wall*.

Recommendation	Laparoscopy	Combined procedures	Laparotomy
Bed rest	None	None	None
Level of exertion
Physical activites of daily life	Immediately	Immediately	Immediately
Rehabilitative exercises and other rehabilitation measures	As soon as the wound is healed	As soon as the wound is healed	As soon as the woundis healed
Sports – Endurance sports – Ball sports, weight training, athletics	1 week 2 weeks	3 weeks 4 weeks	4 weeks 4 weeks
Resumption of work
Sitting/standing	1–2 weeks	2–3 weeks	4 weeks
Hard physical labor	2–3 weeks	3–4 weeks	4 weeks

*These recommendations apply in the setting of normal primary wound healing and should be adapted to the pain experienced by the patient.