What I learned for pre-op

I am 3 1/2 weeks post op and feeling stronger every day. I felt like my doc didn't give me enough info and so I thank all the HysterSisters for their voices that answered questions and calmed my fears.

One of the questions I had was about exercising and weight gain before and after. There was one forum that a overweight sister wanted to work on that too. The answer I found was no matter how overweight you are, get to exercising. The anesethiologist(sp?) told me the better in shape you are the easier that part will be. So even if you haven't been exercising, you can start walking. If you are working out, add extra on to your routines and build up to doing as much as you can without blowing out. I did this and it seemed to work wonders for me. I seemed to bounce back alot quicker.

I asked questions of most everyone who had this surgery what they did and I asked my doctors, friends, physical therapist and a yogi instructor about the body and how it works. The lower back muscles go from there to wrap around to the front and forms a bowl of ligaments and muscles that cradle and hold up your guts. Since there is much messing with them and cutting and repair, that is the reason for the restrictions that may be frustrating and stifling. But follow whatever your doctor says no matter what. They will know exactly what they did in there and the likely hood that you need all that time to lay off the lifting and bouncing around. You may feel like doing stuff but rethink and then think again and just humor them if you have to because there is the greater chance that you may have to have repair work later because you didnt' give yourself time to be still and heal. If you have any question about an activity, call them. I was going to vacuum and drive and a few other things and my husband said no and I called. Sure enough so did the doc.

Trust me, this has been hugely hard for me to do but I keep telling myself that I am investing in my future, to be able to be the strongest and feel the best when I have my final check with my doc.

My lesson was to take it to the max before and totally relax after so that I can have a brand new start afterwards. I just want to encourage anyone out there and say 'YOU GO GIRL!' because we are here for you!!

CarolinaMare

Thank for the post, it is very good advise for all of us LIW's.

I am also glad you are doing so well with your recovery.

Donna