Walking is key!

I just wanted to mention some great advice my sister gave me. Once the operation is over, start walking, as soon and as much as possible. It really does make you heal quicker. It's good to get into a routine, such as get up and eat breakfast, go for a walk, rest, eat lunch, rest, eat supper, go for a walk, go to bed. It sounds so simple and yet it worked wonders for me! I am on the older side, 47, and yet after a total abdominal surgery, went back to working 10 hour days after just 4 weeks. I think the whole thing went really smooth so I wouldn't be afraid to do it all again and would encourage those thinking of having the surgery. I was up and walking 3 hours after surgery, out of the hospital within 1 1/2 days, off of pain meds including over the counter by day 3, driving by day 7, walking 3/4 of a mile the first day out of the hospital and back to work at 4 weeks. I'm not saying it was easy, but if you set your mind to it, you can do anything! If you pamper yourself, you will heal more slowly. I am so happy that I had the surgery, not like I had the option, but who wouldn't love never having another period. To be able to go anywhere without worrying about what time of month it will be is the greatest feeling! I am getting ready to go on my first cruise in 2 weeks and I can not wait! So to all of you getting ready to have the surgery, or who just had it, happier days are ahead! May God bless you all!

I couldn't agree more! After 3 c-sections and now a SAH I can attest to the fact that walking is the best thing you can do for your healing! It's really hard to find the nerve at first , but if you make yourself do it, it gets easier each time! If someone were to ask me for advice after surgery, that's what I would tell them!!!!

While I completely agree that walking helps, BlessedOne, it sounds like you had a remarkable recovery! Congrats on your speedy healing. It sounds as though you were an exception to the rule. I also have been walking daily but I was/am nowhere near where you were physically on those days!
I just hope no one gets discouraged in thinking that they should be further along with their recovery than they are, when they are also walking. (I'm sure that's not your intent and congrats again on such a great recovery!)
You truly are Blessed!

What you said is absolutely true. I started walking 2 miles every day after a few weeks and I noticed the incredible change in my healing process and by walking, I had regained all of my strength back. It took me a while to realize that walking is the best thing to do during recovery. Believe me, I was laying around most of the time after surgery, and I wasn't healing fast enough. Walking really did wonders for me.

I can't express enough how much it really healed me. It worked all of my muscles together, and internally I knew it was healing faster. It also got my heart and lungs pumping, and it was the best thing I ever did for myself.

Walking really helped my recovery, too. I started walking as much as possible in the hospital to get rid of the surgical gas (a nurse told me walking would help with that). Once I got home, I walked a little in my back yard each day.

When I got my staples out (6 days post-op), I decided to venture out and walk around the block. Although I had to walk very gingerly, this felt so good that I called a friend to escort me on a slightly larger excursion later in the day. I made it a whole mile on that first day. I was very tired when I got back, but also in really great spirits. The next day I walked a little further, all by myself, and I kept up my walking routine for weeks until I was able to go back to the gym and resume my usual workout routine. I liked walking not only for the physical activity but also because it gave me the opportunity to get out of the house, smell the fresh air, see children play in the park, and generally enjoy my new, less encumbered life.

It's obviously been a good choice for you, BUT each person should do what they are ABLE to do. My life before included running 5 days a week and walking the other two... I was in the best shape of my life at age 41. The first time I tried to walk around the block after surgery, I got 1/4 way and my legs started trembling and I worried I wouldn't make it home. I was exhausted! So while I know you have good advice and mean well, I'm sure there were many factors that aided in your speedy recovery... congratulations!

Hi blessdone,

I am very happy you can walk as this. I am 4 weeks post op and can't walk far yet..you can read my thread above...I won't repeat it all again here. Just wanted to say..way to go girl!!!! I am very proud of your accomplishment!!!!!!!

Keep up the good work and contined great recovery!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by sisterpn I couldn't agree more! After 3 c-sections and now a SAH I can attest to the fact that walking is the best thing you can do for your healing! It's really hard to find the nerve at first , but if you make yourself do it, it gets easier each time! If someone were to ask me for advice after surgery, that's what I would tell them!!!!

So.... "SisterPN" Do you think that the C-sections compare to the Hysterectomy? I had a TAH and I just wondered. Both of my children were born vaginally and I had a HUGE episiodomy with the first that took forever to heal. Please share if you don't mind

	Quote:
Originally Posted by done22 So.... "SisterPN" Do you think that the C-sections compare to the Hysterectomy? I had a TAH and I just wondered. Both of my children were born vaginally and I had a HUGE episiodomy with the first that took forever to heal. Please share if you don't mind

In some ways I felt the same in my hyst as I did with c-section. As far as what I expected with incision pain and the difficulty in getting up those first few times, I'd say it's pretty much the same.(the clever little "tricks" I learned with each procedure really helped in getting myself up out of bed and moving around faster) As far as internal pain goes, I wasn't prepared at all with what I was left to deal with! I had no clue it would be so painful (I felt like someone had taken a weedwhacker to my guts). Maybe because I had epiduals with my deliveries and was able to take something for pain as soon as I started feeling again....with the hyst, I had to wake up from general anesthesia enough to speak to someone before I got any pain meds( man, that seemed like it took forever!) I also was not prepared for my complete lack of energy! Where did it all go? Did the dr remove that along with my uterus?? I'm 3 weeks out today and still finding myself tiring so easily.
I hope I answered your question.....Good luck in your recovery!

I am with Spoungebob up there. I walk my little poodle 4X a day and still right after I eat dinner my belly swells up. I have actually had a cold, sat on my tushy all day and watched TV and swelled up at 6. Nothing works accept a tummy tuck which for me will not happen two tummy operations are my limit.

After 6 months I have also gone back to my old gym work outs which was 3x a week. I have had many tests to try to explain why my belly is so big and why I have pain on my right side. I am waiting for my MRI results as I write this. No more tests, accepting is what I am doing now. I am 47, and healthy. I lost my bestfriend a month ago to Cancer at 39. That taught me I have the right to complain, but I am grateful to be healthy


Janet (thanks for reading this)