Stairs? Planning for return home...

I'm having an abdominal hysterectomy, but not certain at this time if that will include cervix & ovaries - still debating with myself.

I've read how important walking is following surgery, yet to avoid any stairs. I really do not have a place downstairs in my house to "camp out" for several weeks, yet if I "camp out" upstairs, it makes walking or even eating at a "real" table impossible.

Perhaps this is trivial, but it is really bothering me. I don't want to do anything that would jeapordize my recovery. But the thought of being confined to one floor of my house (upstairs) for two weeks is troublesome. Particularly since I can't get out and walk.

It seems there should be a really simple answer to this, but I just can't see it just yet.

dear rr0405...After 3 days when I left the hospital, I used the stairs to leave at the front entrance. I took my time and used the railing.

Upon coming home, I too believed that I wouldn't be able to use stairs and would would bunk on the main floor.

Turned out, I did stairs right from day three on.
Of course, you won't be as sure footed as you are normally, that's a given.

I was a little unsteady for days. I just took stairs at my own own pace and used the railing.

There really WAS only one pace at first. Slow...

I hope I've helped....HUGS.Dianne

p.s. no trouble sitting at the table either.
I had an abdominal binder for support and had no trouble.
Since my appetite was low,
I ate like a bird, so didn't stay up long.

Hi,
I'm 3 1/2 weeks post op and I live in a house with three floors. All bedrooms are upstairs. My doc told me to take it easy and only go up and down when necessary. The first two days the stairs were slow going, one at a time then it was okay. I would sleep at night in my room then camp on the couch during the day and I would send hubby up for clothes etc. Just take it easy and you'll be okay, no running up and down twenty times a day, ha.

Good luck, Nellie

We priced sofa beds last weekend for this same reason. After revieiwing our family budget and watching the gas prices hike this week, I ended up just buying a twin Aero bed to put on our sofa today. I'm hoping to make the old thing higher and more comfortable. I'm going to try the set up tomorrow.
No new sofa for me

What a great idea the Aero bed ! I have camped between the sofa and the upstairs bedroom for the first 3 weeks. And making the old sofa more comfortable is a great idea. I had no extra cash so I folded a comforter and them placed sheets on top of that. Do whatever you have to do to be comfortable! And as far as stairs go my biggest problem was taking it very slow, remembering to have my eyeglasses with me and my cell phone to avoid repeat trips. Best wishes to you !

I can't ever remember the terminology, but I also just had EVERYTHING removed 3 weeks ago. I made 1 trip up the stairs the first day I was released so I could sleep upstairs. Hubby packed me a cooler with food and beverages so that I would have what I needed at hand. I stayed up there for 2 days and then started taking the stairs after the third day. I would go up them at night for bed, stopping halfway to take a rest, and then in the morning I would descend in the same fashion. I spend the day on the sofa or roaming around in the house.
By day three the stairs aren't much of a problem, just take it slow. By the second week I could make it up without needing a rest, but I do still need Mike to bring things up or down for me. I don't yet feel comfortable carrying things (other than the phone clipped to my pjs) while traversing the stairs...still need both hands for stability. Maybe next week I can reach that goal!
I hope you are all healing well and staying cool.
=) Amy

I had surgery 12 days ago.

We handled the stair issue by bringing in one of those little cheap college dorm fridges in the bedroom. It keeps me from having to go up and down all day. It is stocked with bottles of water, some sandwich fixings, yogurt, and other things that I will and like to eat. I do the stairs twice a day. I go down them each time to do my walking. Just, as has been stated, taking my time going down them [a bit wobbly on me pins yet sometimes] and going up.

That fridge has been a godsend. We have a small television in the room and a dvd player. We also bought one of those cheap 3 drawered plastic things. I have knitting stuff in the bottom. Books and mags in the middle, and meds and snacks in the top drawers. Another helpful thing that will go in my laundry room when finished. I have a portable phone to take from room to computer desk, to bathroom if needed as well.

Hope it helps!