gardening

Hi
I am 4 weeks post op from a TAH and feeling pretty good. I was wondering about doing some gardening. I keep hearing to avoid any heavy work such as lifting, cleaning etc. I was hoping to do some gardening but didn't know if this could cause any problems. I would like to do something constructive while I am still at home. Have any of you had any problelms that I may not be thinking of?

Hi there, it's been a year now since my hyst, and I had the Big uterus removal. Ended up with a zipper from my b-button to way down. Anyway, I thought I was in pretty good shape, so I did the laundry thing, and ended up shoveling snow by week number 2-3. I wish I hadn't because I do think that I didn't heal properly. Not that I have had any "real" problems, but I have a somewhat pulled area in the lower portion on the right of my incision. And even now a year later I can feel it and I really feel it when I lift something heavy. So what I'm getting at is that if I had to do it again, I think I would have taken it a little easier and not try and push what I could do. Even though I read about it on this website, I though I could "tuff" it out, and I was bored. My best advise is to go slowly and give yourself a little more time (possibly 4 more weeks) before gardening. It will be worth it in the long run.
Just a thought. Enjoy your sunny weather!

Should have edited my post. Talk about spelling and grammatical errors.
Sorry

Gardening...I picture you with a shovel, gloves, prunners, wheelbarrel on your hands and knees and lots of bending over.
I'd wait. I couldn't begin to do that at 4 weeks. You still have stitches and it's not worth risking a tear at this time. You could end up with more adhesions then you'd want.
Now, if you're driving to the nursery to get a tiny start of basil for your kitchen window garden........that's a different story!
Maralyn

I am currently eight weeks post op and I wouldn't garden if someone paid me to do it right now.

Too much bending, twisting, reaching and pulling. 6-8 weeks of rest is required just for the initial recovery. Then 6-12 MONTHS to be fully healed. Wait until spring...and call the doc first before you pull out the wheelbarrow and weedeater!

Once chance to heal...remember that.

Hugs,
Sarah

Thanks Maralyn I guess you are right- I hate not doing anything outside when the weather is so beautiful. Guess I will go just go buy some herbs and a little pot and plant those.

I had a TVH and a posterior repair, and I just couldn't stand not doing anything in the yard. Finally I went out with some ratcheting nippers and pruned my kiwis. I'd nip off a part of a branch I could reach easily with no bending or stretching, and then take that one little piece over to the stick pile. It was really slow, but I didn't have much else to do.

One thing I learned -- no matter how much you want to, DON'T PULL!!! After eight weeks I thought it would be OK to pull out some of the smaller blackberries that hadn't rooted fully yet. Big mistake! I had to get the pain pills back out, and I hadn't used them in over a month!

Hi Roshe,

To be totally honest with you...and I had a less invasive hyst...I regret two things I did at 4 weeks when I was feeling "great". Doing gardening and going to the gym.

With gardening...I decided to do some light weeding and some light spring planting. Whew...yikes...I hurt the next day!! I think it was from bending over and the pulling also.

The gym...same thing. I had a Dr's okay and I started out with a light workout and my body wasn't ready. I went back to the gym at 6 weeks and I was okay.

I can suggest waiting until 6-8 weeks "at least" on gardening. Just watch what your body is "really" saying.

Best wishes,

Mary

I did way too much post-op. It was before Christmas and I thought I had to shop, bake, etc...( my surgery was not planned so I was not ready for the holidays) When you shop you have things to carry..big mistake. I really paid for it because on Christmas day I was a couch potato that was in a lot of pain.

If you really want to get out take your notebook and jot down what you want to plant or change when you really are better. Or get a new gardening book and read it outside. You may get some really good new ideas and still be able to do something them when you are cleared for such activity.

We are having bitter cold or if warmer then snow!! I would love some sunshine.