what exactly can i do?

I keep reading different messages from the post op board, a lot of them talk about restrictions after surgery no bending over, no lifting no exercising, no anything except lie around doing nothing. I will surely be insane before this over. I am 2 weeks post op and feel great, get tired easier no big deal. The only restriction I was given was to lift nothing more than 4 lbs. Please help me understand what complications could arise from overdoing.
It is extremely hard to sit still when there is so much to be done.


Thanks, Deedles
TAH,BSO

Weather you've had a TAH or a LAVH, it is still major surgery. There are MANY internal stitches that need to heal properly- thus the weight restrictions etc... Your body goes thru trama with major surgery and needs time to bounce back. Many of the posts I've read, the anestesia (sp) alone can stay in the body for many days after surgery. (In my case, it was at least 2 weeks before I could think and drive with clarity)

Everyone is different!
I hope your recovery remains uneventful.

Lamb and Lion

Well, you could end up with a hernia or a prolapse. There are other kinds of things that can happen that you won't know about but that could bring problems down the road. It's really, really best to take it easy for the first few weeks. You don't have to be an invalid and if you're feeling good feel grateful and take time to smell the roses. Everybody can use a break. Enjoy yours.

Here's a list of do's and don't's from the post-op hints and articles:

Post-Op Hysterectomy: Allowed? Not Allowed?

-Picking up pillows and repositioning them-allowed
-Turning on dishwasher AFTER SOMEONE ELSE HAS LOADED IT-allowed
-Changing roll of toilet paper-allowed
-Flipping on lightswitch-allowed
-Folding laundry-allowed
-Taking short, easy walks and gentle stretching-allowed
-Lifting the remote control-allowed
-Asking others for help-allowed and encouraged


X - Vacuuming-NOT ALLOWED
X - Sweeping or Mopping-NOT ALLOWED
X - Carrying laundry across house to washer-NOT ALLOWED
X - Lifting, Bending, Reaching, Driving-NOT ALLOWED
X - Lying around the house all day doing nothing-NOT ALLOWED (see above)
X - Bending to access oven or empty litterboxes-NOT ALLOWED
X - Going to Wal-Mart for some bargain shopping-NOT RECOMMENDED
X - Pushing a shopping cart-NOT ALLOWED
X - Sitting for prolonged periods of time i.e. at computer-NOT ALLOWED
X - Opening windows, particularly the hard-to-open ones-NOT ALLOWED
X - Making other people's problems your own-NOT ALLOWED
X - Picking Tomatoes, Weeding, and other such nonsense-NOT ALLOWED

Overdoing it too soon has a way of bouncing back on you, maybe not right away, but in the weeks, months, and even years ahead. I used to work on a surgical floor, and I've seen the after-effects of the "superwoman" complex, ladies who don't take it easy after major surgery and end up having to have further medical treatment or even more surgery because of ripped out stitches, prolapses, urinary incontinence, etc, etc. Not a pretty sight, and something which could be avoided by just taking it easy for the first six weeks or so.

You only get one chance to heal properly and this is it! Please give your body the time it needs to recover. This is such a short period of time in the grand scheme of things, but it's one of the most cruicial times in how you heal and how your future health will be determined. Don't worry, life will still be there when you're ready to rejoin it.

s,

Lisa

I used the list Lisa has posted. Like law in my house. I posted it for all my kids and dh to see.

Works very well for me.

I had a TAH and I rested completely for 2 weeks. I got up to use the bathroom, refilled my beverages, and made a frozen dinner to eat. After 2 weeks, my DR did not want me laying around doing nothing for the next 4 weeks. She had me gradually and slowly start doing housework, with the restriction of lifting nothing heavier than a gallon of milk, listen to my body, and nothing in the vagina for 6 weeks. I started out doing a load of laundry, some dishes, and light cooking each day for my family of 5. Each week I was able to do more than the previous week. By week 4, I was running small errands daily, and added some heavier house cleaning. I cleaned one bathroom one day and the other the next. At 6 weeks post to the day, I was back exercising and cleaning houses. I still added things gradually and listened to my body and have done great with that method. I never power shopped, vacuumed, or lifted until I was cleared at 6 week. I still take it easy with the lifting at 5 months post if I can. I would have never made it back to work at 6 weeks if I had done nothing at all for 6 weeks. Give your a call and see what he/she thinks. Good luck

Thanks to all who responded to my message! I am at such a loss right now, I feel good physically and not so good emotionally. I thought if I could get out and do something maybe, just maybe I would feel a little better.

thanks again,
Deedles

Sure get out! Walking will do you good. Just keep in mind that getting in and out of the car is a major activity. And walking in stores or museums, which almost all have concrete floors, will be hard on you - especially your back. Be careful about anything with an uneven surface - like taking a garden tour - because an almost fall or slight stumble can pull your tummy more than you want. And whatever you do, don't plan anything that will have you doing ONE THING for very long. For instance, you can go somewhere to walk around but make sure you get a chance to sit. You can go some place where you can sit like a movie but go to an uncrowded matinee so you can get up and walk around a little bit without disturbing anyone. Also don't get tied into doing anything where you can't suddenly decide it's time to go home. I also learned to avoid really HUGE stores - small boutique stores are easier.

I found it was important for me to take time to lie down every few hours. I needed to take the pressure off my organs and ligaments so they weren't pressed into my pelvis by gravity. At two weeks, an hour or two out of the house was like running a marathon all day long. Around the house I felt so terrific! As I increased my activity I quickly remembered that I was supposed to be in recovery. Try to strike a happy medium.

At two weeks post-op, I started going out to lunch with my mom (she drove.) We sat in a booth, and I would get up and walk around every 20 minutes or so to take the pressure off my internal sutures. I also went to the grocery store and road one of those motorized carts through the store. Didn't buy anything, but just enjoyed being out.

You should be able to get out and do some things, just nothing extensive. Maybe go to a park or library, out to eat, or something like that where you can move around and not have to sit in one spot for long periods of time. (Movies wouldn't be a good idea either, at least for a few more weeks.) And no lifting or exertion.

But you don't have to be confined to the house the whole time.

Lisa