Defining "REST"!!!

Okay, I am obviously a very bad patient, and so I need to set myself some ground rules. Maybe some of you can relate:

1. Stay down. Sit, lie down, whatever...just don't get up unless you have to go to the bathroom or you're hungry.

2. NO puttering allowed! All those fun little tasks can wait a couple months.

3. Watch TV, play on the internet, crochet, or read if you can. That's it.

4. Do not make dinner. And I mean YOU! Order in, have DH make something, or do frozen dinners. Stay away from that oven.

5. Do not get dressed. You can wear sweats or that comfy long nightgown. Getting dressed means you're ready for the world. YOU AREN'T!

6. NO laundry allowed. If you must fold, do it sitting down. Slowly.

7. If the drawer offers resistance, don't open it.

8. If it falls, don't try to catch it. And don't pick it up.

9. If you do anything physical at all, no matter how small, lie down immediately afterward.

10. DO NOT HOLD IN YOUR TUMMY. I know, it's a lifelong habit, but those muscles are healing. You have to consciously relax them. Let 'em hang out.

That's all I can think of right now. Anything else I missed? I have not been outside of my house yet and it's been two weeks. I'm in pain by the end of the day even if I've done nothing at all but wander about between the bedroom and the kitchen. I am fighting feelings of inadequacy because of this, and I know it's irrational. How about you?

This is great advice. I have already done the opening the oven door (mistake) opening tight cutlery drawers and stopped a glass dish from falling out of a low cupboard, caught it with my foot and picked it up without thinking. Everything in the kitchen is a hazard so it's best to keep out!

I think some walking outside every day is also part of the rest/recovery process. Even if it's 5 minutes; you get outside in the fresh air, sun on your body, etc. I walked for 5 minutes 2 days after surgery. Took evergy just to get dressed and have my DH tie my shoes! But I felt better after the 5 minute walk. (I probably should call it a stroll - not much of a walk!)

I did hold onto my tummy some; and also tried to relax it into my hands. Haven't heard not to hold onto it - is that something people have been told by their Docs? maybe I missed that one!

Jennifer

Jennifer---I hold onto my tummy with my hands, too. What I meant was, don't hold IN the tummy with muscles to make it look smaller!

<< don't hold IN the tummy with muscles to make it look smaller! >>

Oh, yeah...no! Too much work.

Loving this break from Pilates,

Jennifer

Sounds about right except that you should be taking the small walks even if they are just around the house. I am post op 3 1/2 weeks and still in a lot of pain. Besides going to the dr twice I have not been out yet but I think today my family is taking me out so I can see the outside world. I did not expect healing to take so long and this is so frustrating.

hummm! I never thought of that. I always hold in my tummy. I started Pilates a year ago and it is just a habit. Ok, so I will do the deep breathing thing and try not to hold it in so much. Thanks sisters!

Hugs
Teench