How far/often should I walk?

Hello everyone,
I am so grateful to have found all of you! I was beginning to think I was nuts, a whimp, etc... What a relief to find out that the exhaustion, pain, change in taste, hotflashes, etc... are normal. I'm 9 days post-op and try to get moving around as much as possible, but if I stand longer than a couple of minutes, or walk further than 30 feet, I'm in alot of pain and feel like my insides are falling out. From what I've read, we are encouraged to walk, walk, walk. Exactly how far should we be going? I get up and walk to the bathroom, kitchen, etc. but further than that and I break out in a sweat and have abdominal pain/burning feeling. I told my Dr. 2 days ago but he keeps telling me to just take it easy. When everyone here talks about how much they've been moving around, it's frustrating because I don't seem to be keeping up with the norm. How often/far should I be able to walk now? Thanks!

Please do not push the walking...you really have to listen to what your body is telling you. The main thing is that you are up and moving around.

I hope it gets better for you soon.

I am 10 days post op today and its the first time I have been outside except when I went to the e.r. last Sat. I have gone to the bathroom and the kitchen and piddled around a little in between but I always end up sitting back down or laying back down to catch up with my breath and rest. Today I walked next door to the neighbors house (right next door) and that was far enough for me. It sure was nice to be outside though. I might try to take a pillow out to the patio and sit outside for a bit. Hugs and dont be affraid to take your pain pills. They give them to you for a reason and take them as long as you need to.
Hugs

In my early days I took "field trips" out to the glider and sat there for a while and then padded back to the house and took a nap after that work out! But today, 30 days post-op, I walked 3 miles. It will come! Think tortoise, not hare!

Hi sonochick!!
HUGS to you sweetie -
I remember when I was so early post op as you are... I didn't start walking until I was about 2 or 2 and a half weeks post-op. I couldn't have done it at the stage you are at now because I was in far too much pain. I would give it some more time because I noticed as the days went by I felt a little better each day. I also noticed a big difference in how I felt at week 3. So hang in there because it does get better. Until I started walking outside at 2-2 and a half weeks post op my only walking was around the house... that was enough for me then. But when you are able to go for walks outside you will notice how much better you will feel. I sure did! It helps with the healing and your well being emotionally.
Please let me know how you are doing! Send me a note if you ever need to talk!
Have a great day!!

I'll be 4 weeks post op Tuesday & I still cannot "go for walks". I've had to go to the store a couple of times & that about killed me. I walk around inside the house as much as possible, but even that can get to me. Those things you are feeling when you are up & around too long are your body telling you that you are doing too much for now. I think with me the feeling that my insides were falling out (I called it a cement truck trying to drive out of my vajayjay) lasted about 2 weeks, maybe a few days longer. When I'm overdoing things I feel the burning as well as very sharp sudden pains. When I'm in the recliner I move my feet around alot to get the circulation going. hang in there, you're not nuts or a wimp.

P.S.... I forgot to add that when I did start my walks outside I went 15 mins up and 15 mins back at first... I felt like I needed to still hold onto my tummy because it felt like stuff was gonna fall out! At 1st I also did not walk everyday. I would go every other day the 1st week. Then as I felt better I would go for 40 mins. Now I am up to one hour a day Monday through Friday. I will probably stay with that for now.
I go in the mornings so get it out of the way and because its been hot here.

HUGS

My gyn INSISTED that I be "walking."

When asked how far and for how long he responded, "listen to your body." And that's the only answer I ever get.

In other words, do what you can do. I added on to my walks as I felt able. The first week, I circled my cul-de-sac. Now at 6 weeks, I am up to 2 miles daily.

Hope that helps.

Keep walking.

The first 2 wks I would walk maybe 4-5 houses down the street then back and my DH would stand outside and watch me to make sure I was okay. I started walking a full mile at 2 wks and upped it to 2 miles yesterday. I go slow, usually takes me about 15 mins per mile but it sure makes me feel better to get out there. I hope to work up to my usual 4 miles before the end of 6 wks.

Everyone is individual. At 4 days post-op (still in the hospital because of uncontrollable vomiting even on plain water), the nurses were annoyed at me because I was getting full body spasms and shakes if I just walked down the hallway a little.

And even with that slow start, by 3 weeks I was doing 2-1/2 miles a day (and then blew it by really overdoing it and trying 3-1/2 miles).

Do what you can do, don't push it to the point it feels unsafe. But keep doing what you CAN do. When it is comfortable to go a certain distance, repeat the same distance the next day, and then gradually increase. GRADUALLY!!!

I truly believe that walking helps you heal, but NOT overdoing it. Don't get hung up on how far it is compared to anyone else, just try to slowly increase your own stamina. I actually scheduled a friend to come over each day to take me on a walk at first, because I didnt feel safe going alone. Once I was comfortable going all the way around the block, then I knew I could gradually increase it by myself.

I did find at 2 weeks that I learned that I actually started feeling better after 2 blocks -- I would walk out the door hunched over and aching, and then found I could actually straighten up as I went along.

For now, I would encourage you to walk often, but stop BEFORE you get that sweaty and pain feeling. So maybe you need to go SHORTER than 30 feet for now, but still get up and move around as you can.

GOOD LUCK!