no restrictions after surgery?

Hello Sisters,

I hope you gals can help me. I just came back from my pre-op appointment with my dr. I made my DH come to this appointment because I want him to understand what I can and cannot do. Well my dr told us there is no restrictions, "your body will tell you".
I asked him about driving and he said "just follow your body". Is this normal? Can anyone out there tell me just what I shouldn't do? I am so scared I will do to much and cause scar tissue which in turn will cause more pain, and that I do not want!!! I have been in to much pain for tooo long.
I am having a TAH/BSO on Aug. 30th.

kampro2000

Hello kampro, I am 3 weeks post (TAH-BSO)and am really surprised you have no restrictions. My DR has called and checked up on me every week. He knows I don't listen well. I was limited to minimal stair climbing and driving at 3 weeks..only if I used a travel pillow. That goes for riding with someone too! No house cleaning, laundry or lifting anything heavier than 5 lbs. No tub baths, and rest,rest, rest. I am just now feeling well enough to get around without seeming like I am 100. Your body will certainly tell you, he is right....but we all need restrictions. Best of luck!!!

{{{Kampro}}} I sure can understand your puzzlement. I'm surprised that your wasn't more specific.

I had a TVH with rectocele repair but was originally sceduled for a TAH and received all of the information for both types of surgery. Actually, the restrictions were the same:

- No bending, straining, stretching, pushing or lifting for the initial 6 weeks of recovery.
- Minimal use of stairs.
- No sex (nothing in the vagina) until released, usually at the 6 week post-op appointment.
- No driving for the first few weeks (that's because of the anesthesia remaining in your system - in addition to the discomfort caused by sitting and straining).
- No baths until released - that includes no swimming.

Basically, what this means is that you should be spending most of those initial 6 weeks RESTING, with your feet up. Sitting or standing for prolonged periods puts a lot of stress on internal stitches and is not a very good idea. Housework should not be your responsibility. Laundry and vacuuming are big 's. Lifting anything over 5 lbs could cause serious damage.

While it's true that your body will tell you when you've done too much, the problem is just that: you've already done too much by the time you feel the pain, notice the swelly belly, notice the increased discharge or start feeling tired. Your best option is still to err on the safe side and .

A good document for your dh to read is an article available in the "Laidies in Waiting" pull-down menu, which can be found at the bottom of the Hyster Sisters Home page. The article is entitled: "How Others Can Help". I suggest that you tell your doctor about this web-site and that you show him the article

Wishing you the best of luck with your upcoming surgery. We'll be with you every step of the way.

Hi kampro,

I agree that your Dr. is falling short in the area of post-op guidance. This is a MAJOR surgery, and you most certainly need to hear specific guidelines so that you can heal properly!

I heartily recommend the HysterSisters Guide to Recovery. It is very fun to read with lots of input from other hystersisters who have been down the road. You will get tons of info on many aspects of hysterectomies...some things you might not have even thought to ask about. To get to the order form, just click beneath my signature.

My very best to you...

Linda

I was told no car riding for 10 days and could TRY to drive at 2 weeks. Nothing heavier tha 5 lbs. No sex for 6-8 weeks (at my 5 week check-up he said 8 weeks) I WAS allowed to take tub baths, as a matter of fact he encouraged it to help with repair discomfort. I would shower and wash my hair in one bathroom, and go in the next bathroom and use the tub I had already filled to soak for 10 minutes. That way, the tub stayed clean.Received no info. on steps, but used them at 6 days once a day going up and once a day going down. At 2 weeks that was probably 3 trips up and down. Can go back to work at 7 weeks. I clean houses and he said only 1 a day and to go slow.
Said my weigt limit now is 20 lbs. but did not say if or when I could lift more. (I had TVH with repair work.) I have a very liberal MD but I am still amazed at how each one can be sooo different.

I cannot imagine your Dr. telling you this! Here were my instructions:

-STEPS: use in moderation - if you are going up - stay UP. when you need to come down - stay DOWN.

-Medicine: Take as needed. You will know when you do not need as much... but those first few days to week, take them according to the Rx.

-Driving: is a no-no for 4 weeks.

-Sex: is a no-no for 6-8 weeks.

-Tub baths: are out of the question.

-Lifting: Do not lift anything over 5 lbs.

-Vacuuming (My favorite): No vacuuming, sweeping, mopping for at least 8 weeks.

-Walking: in the beginning, walking around the house, then venture out to the mailbox, etc. You go at your own pace!

-Exercise: wait until the 4 week post-op for instructions (He'll be able to see how well you are doing and make suggestions from there.

Good luck to you, Kampro. I am sure that the hospital will have discharge instructions for you. Heed their advice. Get the hubby to pamper you!!!

Your Dr is right, your body will certainly tell you if you do to much, it'll tell you real quick, especially lifting or reaching high up in cupboards. My Dr gave me the restrictions most do but I did what I felt like doing, if it hurt I stopped doing it. You'll quickly know what you shouldn't be doing, you won't need a list.

Choices to make. Im 10 days post surgery TVH and I drove 1 block to the doctors this morning. I was real careful getting in and out of the car. I didn't take any meds, to keep my head clear. Latter that day I drove 1 block the other direction to pick up my son from school. I felt safer driving the block than walking the block. I broke out in a sweat just talking to my sons teacher. It was time to go home. Spent the rest of the day with my feet up. Just do what you feel comfortable doing.

Hi Kampro,
I am 2 weeks post op tomorrow. When I left the hospital the only instructions I was given was "activity as tolerated" and was told by my that walking would help with the gas and soreness. So I thought the more I walked the quicker I would heal. I thought no pain no gain. Well that's a . I pushed my self and started spotting. Had extreme pain that I would have never went through if they had given me a more detailed list of restrictions. I found this website soon after and boy am I glad I did. It is like the other sisters have told you. By the time your body tells you, you have done to much. This website will help alot and answer a lot of your questions but if you have good nurses at the castle then they will also tell you and again I would ask my about giving you a more detailed list. Hate for you to end up like I did from not having the knowledge that should be standard after major surgery of this sort. Good luck to you and you will be in my prayers.