freaked about missing workouts

I'm so glad I found this section of this website. I've yet to have my DvH, but is it crazy that one of my anxieties is how many workouts I'll miss? I've worked very hard for the last 3 years and I'm worried about the muscle I'll lose. I actually sought out a Da Vinci doctor hoping that this would get me back in the gym quicker!!

I'm also trying to get info on DvH recovery times for VERY fit women. My trainer assures me that at the level I'm at recovery should be much quicker than for those who don't exercise. My doctor says within days I should be able to walk on a treadmill. When I mentioned doing lighter lifting with more reps at 3 weeks he said that would be up to me and how I felt.

Thanks in advance!!

If you are very fit right now I'm sure that you will be fine. I was moderately fit pre surgery and at 5 weeks postop I have started doing some light yoga with my walking. I had a TAH though so my recovery would be longer.

I think attitude has a lot to do with it, as well. Your body has a memory and will respond better than someone who maybe never exercises. As long as you remember to listen to it when it tells you when to stop. Pre-surgery, when I started feeling pain, I would just push thru it. Post surgery, I cannot....yet

I'm sure in a few weeks you'll be back 100%. My doctor said with DvH it would be 6-8 weeks complete recovery (when I could start intense workouts) so you're doing very well considering you had a TAH. I also remember recovering fairly quickly after my c-section, so I'll try and hope for the best. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. It's made me feel much better about next week!!

No, this is not true.

All hysterectomies take roughly the same amount of time to heal internally. With DvH, your external scars, if any, will heal quicker. We've still had the same things done to us internally. We've had our uterus' removed and we will have hundreds of stitches inside.

You might feel better a lot sooner than someone that's had TAH, but you will not be 100% at 6 weeks, 8 weeks, etc. It takes roughly 6-12 months to fully heal internally from a hysterectomy.

I'm an avid weight lifter & have been for many years. I was in great shape. My doc told me I'd probably heal better than the average woman because of this and should be able to get back at my exercise program around 6-8 weeks but I might not feel completely normal even at 12 months post op. She was very upfront with me so I had no surprises.

Well, I had textbook recovery. No problems. I started back at it after 2 weeks (with her permission), couldn't handle it. Tried again at 6 weeks, couldn't handle it. At 8 weeks, couldn't handle it. I completely quit trying and forced myself to rest, relax, sit on my butt & stopped overdoing things and trying to push myself into a faster recovery.

I waited until the 6 month mark and things are going well. I'm over 8 months post op. I don't hurt, don't get that "heavy" felling down there like something might fall out either, don't get that weird hot feeling internally either. (its hard to explain). I didn't gain any weight while I was "in waiting".

Its difficult mentally to know you will back track because of this surgery but think of the quality of life you will have after you have healed.

Its well worth the wait, believe me. I had your same thoughts before my surgery and actually that's the reason I put it off for about 10 years. I wish I hadn't done that because now I'm 41 and recovering, instead of 31 and recovering. I think I would've faired a little better being 10 years younger.

Just my opinion, don't worry about exercising asap. It ain't worth the risk and long term risk of a prolapse or other complications. You might not have issues right after you start back at it. You MIGHT have issues years later because you didn't give your body plenty of time to heal properly before you started straining to exercise. It will start out with you becoming incontinent.......

Just be VERY careful.

I can finally SLDL 90lbs.............wow . I am still about 56lbs away from squatting what I did before surgery. I'm almost bench pressing my body weight though. Hey, its ok. I'll work my way back up.

Thanks so much for sharing your story and taking the time to post Keltec. It's not what I wanted to hear, but I think it's a good thing for me hear. I'm still hoping to be back full strength sooner than 6th months, but if it takes me longer I'm okay with that. Being doubled over for a few days every month wasn't good either, and in the last week I've been at peace with this.

I've had excruciating periods for about the last 3 years and did put this off for at least a year. I feel like I just can't take it anymore and the latest sonogram showed fibroids that had grown significantly in the last year. I'm ready for this to be over with.Tomorrow is the big day, and within a few hours I'll be enjoying my magnesium citrate cocktail.

Anyway, thanks again for your reply!

I believe your doctor is your best resource for your return to working out etc. He knows you and your case and the procedure he performed.

Everyone is different and heals at different rates. I have had a very long recovery. My best friend who had a divinci has had a much faster recovery even with more extensive repairs.

Best wishes for quick healing. And don't worry! I am sure you will get back to your pre surgery fitness level!

You are welcome.

I hope your recovery goes well and you feel 100% very soon.

I'm just being honest about things and don't want you ladies to go in expecting to be bouncing off the walls in a few weeks and be highly disappointed because you aren't.

Take the time to heal and then go at it. Take things slow when you start back. Your body will let you know if its ok to do certain things.

BUT, let me say this, since we lift weights, we are more "numb" to what our bodies can be telling us and we are use to pushing our bodies hard.

Please, if you feel ANY heaviness or even slight pain, stop. Don't cut back and go lighter, just stop. Try again after another 3-4 weeks and see how you feel.

I tried pushing myself, higher reps, lighter weights but I found it just wasn't working. I was so fatigued, sore & swollen. I felt like it was slowing my recovery honestly. Fatigue was horrible from day to day. Add in working out, work, housework, grocery store, etc. I thought I was going to pass out by noon daily.

Once I stopped working out completely and only did light house work, light laundry, went back to work, I seemed to feel like the "train" was moving forward again. You'll understand what I'm talking about soon enough.

'S

ILoveMyPug -

I won't say that I was "extremely fit" but I was in okay shape.

I will say that my gyn-onc said minimally 6 weeks for initial recovery possibly 8. I was a slow healer so it took closer to 12. He said for full recovery that daVinci patients are usually ahead for the first 6 months and after that if they aren't fully recovered they are equal to abdominal for the next 6 months.

I was able to start walking routines, not on a treadmill, around 3 to 4 weeks. The concern that I would have is that things have been cauterized and that needs to heal. So you may not have as many stitches but things are still healing and if some bleeding does happen it could cause adhesions. My Dr. was also concerned about incisional hernias, so even though the incisions are small he didn't want any issues.

I don't know but how about giving yourself a week off and then start back slowly. Unless your trainer has had major surgery such as this I wouldn't totally trust their recommendations but that is my humble opinion.

I'm really glad that I posted this. It's not that I don't trust my doctor, but I really did want first hand experiences from women who have been through what I'm going though and are very active, regardless of what the responses are. I'd rather prepare for the worst than go into the gym and wonder what the heck is wrong with me. I'm also very lucky to have a sympathetic trainer who listens to me, but I'll make sure to take it slowly and listen to my body.

i just posted with the topic "running". i am a little over 2 weeks and feel fantastic. no pain. i am a very lucky person with healing - i heal very very fast. i also took arnica which i think helps body healing (took it after my deliveries as well) and i promise you i haven't taken ibuprofen in days and days. i feel as normal as i did before surgery and that is why i thought "ok i will run today" i even did yoga after running. no pain, tons of energy. it's like my body needed that organ OUT. just my first hand experience so far. hope everyone follows the golden rule of listening to your body. it will shut you down! so be safe and my thoughts are with anyone going through this. it is scary expecially when so much is "on the line". very emotional issue for me no matter how many kids i have or the fact that i didn't want any more no way no how still a major decision and the time that you are recovering is hard when you are used to working out - don't know about you guys, but it's my therapy. 5 kids. i need to run (but my kids need me so i also wouldn't do anything to put me at risk) i actually tried to do something (FOOLISH) at just 4 days after surgery thinking "oh it is not high impact, i'll be fine" and my body shut me the h#ll down. so i am not advocating starting anything before you feel 100% normal/yourself. hope your surgery went well!!! just wanted to share in case it helps you. everyone is different, don't rush but also don't be afraid to let your body tell you when you are ok to try.