How the heck do you get out of bed safely after hysterectomy?

I forgot to ask my doctor at my 2-week post-op check and I will probably call the nurse on Monday, but maybe some of you can answer this question.

I just don't know how I should get out of bed. I sleep in a king size bed. The first two weeks I just very carefully and slowly rolled myself over until I got to the edge of the bed and could more easily pull myself up.

But now I really don't have any pain or discomfort so I just slowly rise out of bed from laying flat on my back. I'm thinking there's probably a safer way to do this, as I have a lot more healing left to go and don't want to hurt myself. I'm not taking painkillers any more so I would think I would feel pain if I was doing it wrong, but maybe I'm just putting too much pressure on the sutures without knowing.

Also, are there certain sitting positions I should avoid? I'm just really unclear on all the mechanics on this. My abdominal core has never really hurt from day 1. But I don't want to push it and cause a huge problem!

Thanks.

Hi there! I was rolling to my side to the edge of my bed and using my arms to lift myself similar to you. I had a 3" bikini incision where I could still feel pulling, so did this method for a few weeks, until it felt a little comfortable. When slowly rising from a laying position for me would not have been comfortable because of that incision. If you are not feeling pain or twinges, then you are probably fine doing it the way you are.

As to sitting positions to avoid, I think this differs for each of us as well. I was not comfortable for a while sitting in any positions which stretched any of my incisions. Listen to your body and if while sitting in a certain position you start getting twinges or pains, that would be a position to avoid for a bit.

Happy Healing!

If whatever you have been doing works and doesn't hurt, I think that it would be fine. I was also never told not to sit a particular way. Like you, I was painfree and pretty comfortable, I think that the main thing is, if it feels uncomfortable, then don't do it. Your body will let you know if you're not ready. But do follow any restrictions that the dr gave you.

Listen to your body and rely on it. If you're gotten to the point where you can get out of bed without doing to the log roll, that's great!

Re: sitting, the nurses had me sitting upright in an armchair even the first day after surgery. By the second day, I could sit upright for long periods. After I got home three days after surgery, I sat on the floor and the ground outside a lot because that's what I usually do. It was all fine.

If I'd been sitting upright for a long while, my abs would start to burn as if I'd done too many crunches. When that happened, I give them a rest by curling up on my side to read to nap. There's nothing wrong with giving your abs a *suitable* amount and level of exercise. It's just that this "exercise" comes in the form of things that we don't usually think of as exercise, like sitting upright. :-)

Thank you everyone! I'll keep doing what I'm doing. Funny thing to me is that one of the most comfortable positions is often sitting cross legged yogini style... I would think that would pull on the cuff or something... but it's really comfortable. I guess I'll keep doing it. Didn't call my doctor today. Too busy with work. I need to work on taking better care of myself before work. :/