How long until housework?

The jeans thread made me remember I wanted to ask this.

I am having a TAH, (abdominal)

I have a 4 year old dd with special needs too!

When did you all start doing various household tasks, such as ironing, washing, hoovering, cleaning etc.

It was about 3 weeks before I got the go ahead that I could start light house work but still no lifting...such as laundry baskets,trash bags, etc. You're Dr. should give you guide lines to follow and its really important to follow them even if you feel better because internally you have alot of healing to do. If he/she doesnt give specific instruction then ask for your own sake.

Tracy

I'm not quite 3 weeks out and the only thing I've been able to help with is folding laundry. My instructions were I could resume light activity at 4 weeks. I did try to vacuum a bit because the dog tore up some trash in the kitchen, but that was not a good idea. You have no idea how much you use your abdominal muscles in everyday tasks until you use them post-surgery. Take the time to heal, and ignore the dust bunnies & clutter. You'll be back to cleaning soon enough. Good luck with your surgery!

It will be months before you can do everything as you used to. Vacuuming is one of the last things to return.

I found I can do parts of tasks before whole tasks. For example, if someone else carts down the laundry, I can take the day and complete the rest of it, as long as someone else carries it back up. I can cook, as long as someone else heaved any heavy pots (water for pasta, etc). With planning and help at the right time, this works.

I had TAH and I started ironing about 3 weeks post op, putting up dishes and doing some small loads of laundry.

At 4 weeks, I tried to mop..........that didn't feel good. It made me use my abs too much so I waited until 6 weeks out.

I still haven't vacuumed yet, but have returned to all of my other normal chores.

Oh, my husband still goes with me to buy groceries to pick up any heavy things (cases of water, cokes, gatorade, etc.) or in case the buggy gets too heavy for me to push.

I'm trying REALLY hard to take it easy.

Its true what all of the ladies have said. You only have one chance to heal correctly..........so don't mess it up.

okay thank you that was helpful

Just take it slow and steady. The physio at the hospital told me that you can still do most things as long as you keep the loads light, eg carry a few things to the washing machine, just hang them over an airer, just iron a couple of things at a time. I am leaving all heavy stuff to my husband - vaccuuming, making beds etc, but I can cook a light meal. If it feels too much don't do it and just break things down into small chunks with big rests in between.

Check out the hysterectomy checkpoints they give you some ideas on activity levels at various stages.

oh thank you, where can I find the hysterectomy checkpoints on the site?

Here's a link to them:

https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/mycheckpoint.php

They are also on the blue menu bar on the left.