TAH One month post hysterectomy: Walk More or Rest More?

I'm suppose to return to work in 9 days. I think I've moved along well in recovery but I am still sore after being up and about and sitting is still uncomfortable after more than 30minutes or so. I'm not sure if I should push myself to start walking more each day to help get me prepared for my first day back at work or if it's better to stay down and rest more in order to prepare. I was walking well up and down the street from the day I got home, I can drive and make trips to the grocery store, been out to visit a friend to get out of the house- but I they have been short trips of 2 hours or less and info home to lay down right after and stay down the rest of the day usually. I have to make it through an 8 hour day of work suggestions??

Wsnow, I had the same question as you before I returned to work. I went to walk the malls for 30-45 min every day for the week before going back to work. But then I made sure I had my rest time too.
It didn't help.
:-D

I did however only work the mornings that first week which was SO helpful. It was tough, really tough but knowing it was just a few hours helped. The next week I worked full days. Well, the day after my first full day I had to call in sick because I was so exhausted and swollen. Its hard. So if at all possible, ease into it with half days....or work 3 days only that first week.
Good luck!

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Originally Posted by 2painful Wsnow, I had the same question as you before I returned to work. I went to walk the malls for 30-45 min every day for the week before going back to work. But then I made sure I had my rest time too. It didn't help. :-D I did however only work the mornings that first week which was SO helpful. It was tough, really tough but knowing it was just a few hours helped. The next week I worked full days. Well, the day after my first full day I had to call in sick because I was so exhausted and swollen. Its hard. So if at all possible, ease into it with half days....or work 3 days only that first week. Good luck!

Thank you for your input. I go back on a Wednesday so it will be a three day week for me. I may ask my doctor to write me a note only allowing me 1/2 days those 3 days to ease back into it. Thanks again

Also I think I will just lay low rather than trying to "prèp" myself by walking more before returning to work since you say it didn't make much of a difference to you. That really helps me make my decision.

Returning to work can be stressful!! Some tips I found helpful:

Returning to Work
Tips for Returning to Work
Returning to Real Life

Just the thought of returning to work can be overwhelming. You’ve had major surgery and you’ve been off for a while. For some of us, our employers’ expectation is that we are 100%. But it often takes a little while to work up to 100%. Here are some tips I found helpful:

Return Gradually. If you can return part-time or on a graduated return to work program, do this. I worked Mon, Wed, Fri my first week. My second & third week I worked each day but only 6 hours. My fourth week I was back to full time.

Take Flexible Breaks. For those of us with desk jobs, sitting all day can be painful at first. Discuss with your supervisor that you may need to take a 10 minute break every hour or so to move around and get off your bottom.

Feet Up! Put a footstool under your desk so you can put your feet up.

Take your Pillow or Heating Pad. Don’t be shy, if it makes your day easier, definitely take a pillow for your back or a heating pad.

Dress Comfortably. Even if you’re not swelling lately, the demands of sitting/standing all day may bring a re-occurrence of Swelly Belly. Wear comfortable pants that will accommodate a swelling tummy. Comfortable shoes help too.

Drink Lots of Water. Keep a water bottle handy and drink lots of water. The added bonus is that you will need frequent bathroom breaks which give you a chance to move around.

Get your Family on Board. Let your family know that you are not 100% yet and you will continue to need their help around the house. Get easy to prepare dinners, paper plates, whatever you need to make things easier. Let your family help you and give you some TLC when you get home.

After your Work Day - Rest. Make it clear to your family that when you get home, you’re lying down for half an hour. This will give you a rest before you help with dinner, kid’s homework, bathtime, making your lunch for tomorrow, etc.

Go to Bed Early. There is nothing wrong with going to bed at 7:30pm. You are still recovering, and your body needs rest. This will also give you your best start to your work day in the morning.

Drink Lots of Water. Keep a water bottle handy and drink lots of water. The added bonus is that you will need frequent bathroom breaks which give you a chance to move around.


This made me laugh out loud. I did that and my tiny bladder replied accordingly. Then all the evil women I work with complained about how many times a day I left to go to the bathroom.
sigh...this is why I wrote the Why are people so mean thread.

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Originally Posted by 2painful Drink Lots of Water. Keep a water bottle handy and drink lots of water. The added bonus is that you will need frequent bathroom breaks which give you a chance to move around. This made me laugh out loud. I did that and my tiny bladder replied accordingly. Then all the evil women I work with complained about how many times a day I left to go to the bathroom. sigh...this is why I wrote the Why are people so mean thread.

True!! My work will be fine with me walking around for breaks. I'm just worried that even doing so, between the sitting on my incision and walking so much I will be dying before the day is up.

I will say that I walked TONS from the beginning, and when I went back at 3 works, I didn't have issues, but I felt great my whole recovery and so it was easy for me. At some point though, you will need your stamina back up. If it were me, I would try to increase my activity somewhat so that I was at least a little stronger when I went back.