stairs and TAH----

Hello ladies----surgery is about 48 hours away-----for those of you that have had a TAH, did you go up and down stairs when you got home??? I know that I will need to take it slow, but I'm wondering, from those of you that have been there, is it even do able when I first get home? we live in a multi-level home. Also, was there one "thing" that helped you the most when you got home (a good book, comfort ideas etc). will be sooooo glad when this is over...........

Hi there. I am 3 weeks post-op from a TAH (kept both ovarries). I live in a townhouse with a flight of 14 stairs to get to the bedrooms/bath. I was able to climb the stairs when I got home but I have lived upstairs since. Keep in mind that I have a laundry list of other medical problems which slow my recovery significantly. I was very weak before surgery (living upstairs too) so I expect to tackle the stairs sometime this week. Basically, if you can climb them without difficulty you should be able to go down them as well (backwards and with a spotter is best). You should limit your trips to one a day to start and increase as you get stronger.

As to what helped me the most. My laptop! I could watch movies, tv shows, read books (mostly young adult because your brain is fried) and play games. Also surfing the web and chatting with friends and family on Skype. My laptop has been my entertainment and that is so very necessary for your sanity. Best of luck to you!

ime 19 days post op and i didnt know stairs were a big no no until i started learning more of how to care for self post op. but the thing is if under circumstances that your living environment requires you have to use stairs than i would suggest go very very slow and try not to use your stomach muscles as you go up and down, especially down as its more straining in the tummy and hold a pillow on your tummy and use you legs as your main strengths as you walk up and down. ime not seasoned at this at all and ime no doc but i just wanted to send you a quick reply to say go very very slow if you have to use stairs, maybe even just take one step wait a sec then take the next step. i moved just a few months ago and we used to live in an upper suite of a house and in order to get in we had to go up very high flight of stairs out back..so ime so glad right now that i dont live there anymore, as that would have been quite the time...Peace be with you

Most doctors say to avoid stairs for a couple of weeks. Obviously, that isn't possible for everyone, so just make sure you take it very slow! One step at a time, alternating which foot you push off with. Holding a pillow to your tummy while you do this is a great idea.
If it is possible, limit the number of trips you have to take up and down the stairs.
Just take it slow and steady and you should be fine.

Hi I had no problems walking up and down the stairs the physio even had us to try the stairs in hospital. When I was at home I just took it slow going up and down them as didn't want to be stuck upstairs and I was absolutely fine.