Worst that can happen if we lift something heavy or otherwise use core muscles?

Love Math's question reminds me of one of my own. What's the worst that could happen if we lift something heavy or otherwise use core muscles? I'm being pretty careful - which takes major will power since I feel great and strong and have no major abdominal incisions - but I'm really starting to wonder if I can gradually add some things in. I'm not talking about major weight lifting or even picking up my 3-year-old, but I'd love to be able to push a grocery cart or sweep the floor occasionally. My husband goes back to work on Monday and I'm a little worried about how anything will get done around here.

TGail
I would suggest that you abide by your doctors recommendations... The floor can wait... Nobody has died from dirt or dust bunnies to my recollection and even though it bothers you, if you hurt something and get set back further, you will be even more frustrated... 6 weeks goes by in a hurry (believe it or not) and even though sweeping may be okay, bending down with a dust pan to pick it up might hurt. Please be patient...

But what could actually happen? Bending down doesn't hurt most of the time, and when it does I respect that and go lie down. But that's what I'm trying to figure out: is pain the barometer or am I looking at long term damage? Is it possible to actually undo some of my surgeon's lovely work?

Yes, it is possible to undo some of your surgeon's lovely work From my understanding, the biggest risk we pose post-op by overdoing is adhesions. Even the tiniest drop of blood can get an adhesion going and that can cause significant pain. The only way to get rid of them is another surgery... They don't give us a list of items not to do just so we don't feel uncomfortable, there really is a reason for it.

If you really want to know your doctors reasons for all of the restrictions, or if maybe you are ok to move on from some of them - give the office a call! I can tell you, every time I called to see if I could do this, or that I would inevitably get the "You just had major abdominal surgery!" from the nurse So back to resting I went...

It is really easy to forget when you have minimally invasive proceedures, but trust me, you want to do no damage to your insides or cuff! For me, my cuff was found to be healing at a slow rate at my 6 week appointment and that netted me another 2 weeks of being able to do nothing... My doc said "You are up too much!" And really, I've not been doing anything at all!

Plus, I see you've had some bowel repair... I did as well and my doctor informed me that having that type of repair can add to recovery time if you aren't careful.

I'd just ask myself if I were you, are the dust bunnies really that important, or is healing MORE important?

Good luck TGail. I know, it is difficult to be patient, but it will be worth it in the end.

I had a TAH a year ago. Did as my dr said to do for recoup time. Found out 5 months post op that I had a bad incisional herinia. When I asked what caused it he told me I must of picked up something or done something I shouldn't have. I don't feel like I did. The surgeon that will do the repair surgery in a month said sometimes it just happens. Since learning of the incisional hernia I've read up on them and found that it is a fairly common side effect of any type of abdominal surgery, and one that the drs don't seem to think to tell you about. So be careful so you don't end up with an incisional hernia.

TGail,
I'm right there with you.

I remember my surgeon saying that just getting out of bed can pull out some stitches so be careful, but he also knew I wasn’t the type to just lay in bed for 2 weeks. He told me to take it slowly and let my body decide when I’ve had enough.

I think he was more concerned about the internal stitches and scars.

Got it, I'll continue to be super careful. Thanks everyone.

PS - can't call my doctor, he's on vacation and I don't want to bug his backup unless I really have to.

what is an incisional hernia?

from what I understand its where the inner incision opened up. Has to be repaired by surgery. A mesh shield is inserted and sutured in place. You can google "incisional hernia" and find lots of sites about it. My dr told me my surgery will be approximately 3 hours long, maybe longer; about 3 days in the hospital and a 6-8 week recoup time.

Oh I'm so sorry you have to go through that! I hope things go well. I hope I haven't done the same thing to myself trying to be "superwoman" around my house when I should have been resting. Good luck to you and your recovery and I will google that to get more info! xo