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Easing off restrictions
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10-09-2008, 07:08 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 4
Hysterectomy: September 9th, 2008
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Easing off restrictions
Hi! I had my SAH on September 9th. I'm feeling very well except for a complete loss of stamina and of course the dreaded swelly belly. I know that there is a list of post op do's and don'ts on this site, and I'm so glad they are here because my GYN, although wonderful in every other way did not give me any restrictions other than the driving one.
I have avoided all of the known big ones; bending, reaching, laundry (well I have been doing these, just not as often),shopping cart pushing, vacuuming etc. But I am wondering if you can tell me what your doctors have told you about easing off the restrictions. I mean, what can we do at three weeks, four weeks, five weeks etc. It doesn't seem logical that we can go from very limited at 5 weeks and 6 days to normal activity at 6 weeks. Also, is "normal activity" even possible for most at 6 weeks? I can't imagine I'll have the strength or endurance to resume my pre op life at that point.
Thanks for your insights.
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10-09-2008, 07:14 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 72
Hysterectomy: September 9th, 2008
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Easing off restrictions
Hey, we're sisters ... I had TAH the same day!!!
Sorry your dr didn't give you a better idea of what to do. Just from my doctor, he said to follow what my body tells me. And let me tell you, it talks to me all the time! I get a burning/pulling sensation on my lower left ab when I've done too much and it's time to take a breather. I overdid it yesterday and layed in bed at night and felt like day 2 after surgery. Oh my! If you want to rest, rest ... if you want to go, go ... but remember that if you walk down the road, you have to walk BACK too!! I forgot that once.
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10-09-2008, 07:27 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 1
Hysterectomy: September 24th, 2008
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Easing off restrictions
Wow. I had LA/VH on 9/24/08. I'm not sure if it's because I've had so many surgeries (9 in the last 7 yrs) or my age (36) or my incredibly high tolerance (ignorance) for pain but I've been pretty much up and at it since day 2. I went shopping and vaccumed day 3. I resumed driving day 4. I live alone. Life just resumed. I haven't went back to work but only because I really don't have too yet. I clean, shop, cook, walk around the lake, do laundry, date.....? I am sore, my incisions are honkerblonked off this morning because I put bandaids on them in an attempt to shield them from clothing....I'm still bleeding just a little bit but not heavily....and only if I use my abdominal muscles....I was worried that I'm not recovering fast enough but from what I've read this morning maybe I'm on track?
I was growing concerned because the Doctor's office said I wouldn't bleed or have vaginal discharge after a few days but this has been going on off and on (again, not heavily) for 2 weeks. I am so sick of it but if it is to be expected then I won't worry about it.......anyone have input?
Thanks,
Leslie
LA/VH 9/24/08
Acworth, GA
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10-09-2008, 07:46 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 23,014
Hysterectomy: July 26th, 2002
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Easing off restrictions
Have you looked at the Post-op Checkpoints yet?
Click here for the Checkpoints for 3-4 weeks. They are very helpful.
I remember that I had good and bad days as I was recovering. My advice is to listen to your body and ease up if it feels bad or you get sore, rest when you need to. I was released to resume normal activities ( and normal is different for each person ) at 6 weeks. I didn't feel ready & took an extra week. Even then, I had to ease back into my normal activities.
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10-09-2008, 08:49 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 29
Hysterectomy: September 23rd, 2008
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Easing off restrictions
Hi.
First congrats on coming through your surgery and here's to all of us recoverying.
My doc gave me 6 weeks off work and right now I can only sit for periods of half an hour at a time (due to some extra complications) but definately was told no vacuming or laundry for the full 6 weeks. I live alone and rely on help and am pleased that now 2 weeks and 2 days post op...I can move about fairly easily but tire quickly so I haven't been out yet. Afraid I'll go to far and not be able to make it back. lol
I had abdominal removal of uterus and asked for all the details of my surgery. I was told about intenstines coming out, part of bowel and how bladder needs to be moved aside to complete the operation. I was told about the layers upon layers they have to cut through then sew up again. I am glad I asked about all that because I "feel" well enough to do more but my doc said I have 700 stiches inside and knowing THAT is keeping me from over doing anything. She told me I was lucky because I wasn't an internal bleeder so normally it's a thousand internal stiches. I STILL find that very hard to believe and think it may have been a scare tactic but even so, I'm going with it because even if it's just 20, 30, 50, 100 stitches inside..they need time to heal. I totally believe about the innards that they have to take out though as it seems they may have unkinked something and my bowels are moving way better than they ever have in my whole life. Added bonus for me there. woot woot
I HATE not being able to do things, like bend, twist, laundry (I don't miss vacuming) but I will NOT do anything I'm told not to do for the full time so that I don't mess something up inside of me. That's what I'm being respectful of. If I give in to my independantness and over do it I put myself at risk for internal damage and I don't want to do that. 6 weeks off is toooo long as it is so I'm fighting every urge. 6 weeks is a small amount of time in the big picture. I've had friends break the rules and end up month and months down the road with complications, and these are women in tip top shape and very very toned and healthy. They thought they'd be just fine and nope, over doing it set them back and they wish they would have just followed the rules.
We are all different, I totally respect that so as long as your doctor is ok'ing you to do these things, then go for it. And if your doctor didn't tell you anything then demand some advice there. It's up to you to inquire about your body.
Driving...I was told three weeks. One more to go for me. I think I could drive ok with shoulder checks and such but the risks I was told were if you were to get in an accident or have to slam on the brakes suddenly...the seatbelt could do major damage internally and rip things apart. Also told if out and about in car that I'd likely forget I tire quickly and then would be stuck out somewhere without the stamina to get back. Also told extra bumps and pot holes will jar things inside and that even after the 3 week clearance to put a pillow inbetween seat belt and tummy for extra precaution. We don't plan to get into a fender bender but it happens.
Be careful.
Wishing all a continued wonderful recovery. I'm managing on my own ok with a dear b/f who comes by daily to do the things I still can't do but as for the dust bunnies and things out of order that normally would drive me nutso....I'm just reminding myself that they'll still be there at 6 weeks and I simply won't risk my recovery trying to be superwoman. My cape is hung up for another 3 weeks. Then if cleared...look out dust bunnies because I'm coming !!!
Best of luck. Take care of you.
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10-09-2008, 10:15 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 1,396
Hysterectomy: August 16th, 2008
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Easing off restrictions
If you have been following the Hystersister checklists you will gradually be increasing the amount you do each couple of weeks.
I was cleared for all activities at my post op appointment at week 7 with the proviso that I take things slowly and ease my self back in to things.
For example, I will be working mornings from home as of next monday and will not consider the hour drive in to the office for at least a further week. Then I will do the journey for 3 days out of 5 outside of rush hour traffic.
Emptying the washing machine is another example. I take verything out one by one and hang them over the cupboard door. Then I carry 3 or 4 items at a time to hang them up to dry. I tried morte items and it hurt so that is all I will be doing this week.
You just need to use common sense, listen to your body and STOP if it HURTS.
Hope this helps
Katy
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