I am 6 days out and feel pretty good...

I expected to feel much worse for some reason. Is this normal? What do you do with your time at one week post op?

I have had no pain meds other than tylenol since Saturday. I came home from the castle on Sunday. I don't sleep great at night, hardly sleep during the day, but feel pretty good. I am walking OK, I am a little sore with my "ups" and "downs"-- is this normal?

My Dh is being a saint - he cooks meals, comes home and gets me lunch, and says my job is to recover. My baby is a senior in high school, so no kid issues to deal with.

Just seems too good to be true. My doctor insists on 6 weeks off work, but I gotta wonder. I will follow his instructions, but I would think the way I am feeling at 1 week, maybe by week 4-5 I would be fine to work. (desk job).

Lori

I also felt pretty good at 1 week post op, actually much better better than I had expected. The problem with feeling good is that you tend to do too much and then don't feel so good anymore. I did a lot of reading and watching movies and also quite a bit of computer work. I had a post op appointment at 2 weeks and was told that I was healing great and no limitations other than no sex and no lifting over 5 pounds. I did a lot of walking with plenty of rest in between and I think it helped. I had days where I would do too much and have some swelling at the end of the day but as long as I rested I was OK by the next day. I was traveling and doing more strenuous activity at 6 weeks and had no problems and was jogging, hiking and weight lifting at 8 weeks with no problem. I now feel better than I've felt in years! I think everyone heals at a different rate and there is no "normal". You have to go by what your doctor says and by how your own body feels. Good luck!

Lori,
I had an incredibly easy time of it also. I was off of the percocet by 8 days post op. Now I am off even the ibuprofen unless I have a bad day. I was doing rather well with the BM's until this last weekend. I am now back on the stool softeners to see if it will get things back on track. I do still have a bit of discomfort driving but don't do that unless I have to. I still am on the couch as our bed has less support so it has been uncomfortable up to this point. Even though we may feel healed it takes a lot longer for the 100's of internal stitches to heal properly. SO please abide by your doctors. They will let you know when it is ok to resume certain activities. I so much want to go back to swimming but have to wait til at least my 6 week check up maybe longer. And I have never wanted a tub bath so much in my life. But that too will have to wait.

Congrats on doing so well!!!! That's great!

I'd still take as much time off work as I could. Even though your pain levels might be good, your endurance/strength/energy are going to get zapped very quickly once you start adding in your "normal" routine. Trust me on this one. I think the other sisters would agree!

Sounds like you've got a great support system which makes things so much better, too! Give them a big hug and kiss!

Hope the rest of your recovery is equally fab!!!!!
Cheers!
monami

Princess Rose Bud....
so very awesum u r feeling so good....
I too am doing fairly well at 2 week point.... ;*)
kudos to r significant others for being there....
we r the "pampered princesses"....
i am also hoping to return to work at 4-5 week point since
i too have a desk job....my supervisor informed me i could work
a few hours a day to start back slow....so we shall c....boredom is
setting in....but i know i must heal properly and take the time needed to do so....keep up the good healing....take care....lotsa hugs....