Anybody else feeling GREAT?

I went for my 6 week post op and I told my DD I feel like a new person. I have never had any really bad pain or felt bad at all since the day I had my surgery. He said it will only get better! The best part is that I have lost about 13 lbs and plan on loosing more. That was the first thing he noticed. Then I came back to work this week and everyone noticed (even people I dont know).. So, I look at this as a turning point in my life. I still cant believe I waited so long to do this. I am resting when needed but for the most part, I have one foot on GO!!!

Hi, this is my first post. So glad I found you all. The information and support is wonderful. I am 12 days post-op from a total abdominable hyst because of fibroids and very heavy bleeding. I wanted this surgery because of all the pain and inconvenience, and didn't feel emotionally conflicted because I'm almost 52 and have 3 children (15, 13, 9). I'm feeling very good physically. I had morphine the first day, darvocet the second, and nothing but regular motrin or tylenol since. I haven't been pain-free but it's all been tolerable. My husband and kids are taking good care of me, but I really miss my mother who died three years ago today. Because of all your great advice about continuing to take it easy, even if you're feeling good, I've decided to stop trying to do housework and get back on the couch. My big question to you all is why do I feel so strange mentally? Is it menopause? I'm on a 0.50 estrogen patch, but I feel anxious, sleepless, and just plain wierd. My doctor hasn't given me any advice and didn't warn me about any physical or emotional changes, and I'm not scheduled to see him for almost 3 more weeks.
Thanks for any suggestions you might have for me!

SDSue

Hi,
14 weeks post op- tah.

Riding my bike over 100 miles per week...started back riding at 6 weeks.
I started riding a stationary bike at 3 weeks post-op...with the doctor's blessings.
If you don't use it you will certainly lose it.....and it is hard going getting it back.
And btw...I'm no extreme athlete...just a middle age gal that likes to ride her bike.

Jen

Jen Escorcia

Hey, I too have felt just wonderful most of the time. Had TVH/BSO on 7/25/01. Not on any pain meds, due initially to lack of tolerance for them, then no real need. I have slowly increased activity over the last two weeks, and was amazed at how easy it was. Then yesterday I kind of went nuts because I felt so good - did waaayy too much. Insomnia has been a problem the whole way along since surgery, but it was resolving as I slowly increased my activity and put my body to some easy work. Last night, after a too-vigorous day, I couldn't find a comfortable position, felt exhausted, and couldn't sleep. So, of course, today I am feeling weak, tired, easily dizzy, and have a few little stabs of discomfort in my protesting belly. Overconfidence bit me in the butt!!! Take heed - those who have been through this DO know what they are talking about. I probably needed the Pillow Police yesterday..... my DH finally gets to say, "I told you so!!!" I just hope this little oops didn't set things back too long. Work starts all too soon.

Thanks to all of you for your post. It is nice to see that so many of you are doing so well. I will continue to pray for all of you, especially those that do not feel well. I am zonked today. I went school shopping with my daughter and we had a blast...I will take it easy tomorrow. I find that if I alternate days that it helps. I would love to know how you lost weight MaryBeth. I need to drop around 20lbs. It is really hard to do when you can't get exercising.
Take care and hugs to all of you!

Hi Marralee, For the first few weeks after my surgery, I didnt have much of an appetite and had a mild upset stomach. I made sure that what I was eating wasnt junk (easy to do when you are lying around). Then I started walking through my neighborhood. Of course very slowly at first. I am being very concious of what I am eating. I guess its paying off because those baggy clothes I was wearing are now starting to fall off of me. Having this surgery reminded me that the main reason I was having it was to get my health back..... so now that its over with, there are no excuses for why I cant loose weight. I used to say, Im bleeding too heavy, Im bloated, my blood count is bad, I have no energy..... Now there is no excuse. I would like to loose about
30 lbs total, and this is a good start. Unfortunately, its so hot here in NC that walking outside isnt an option. I have been to the mall a few times lately and have walked some there. I am hoping to get back to it when this horrible heat wave passes. Until you are able to get out and exercise, just be careful of what you are eating. I have fruit and yougurt for breakfast, a salad for lunch and chicken and veggies for dinner. No more snacking unless its something good for me. When you are sitting and lying alot, its very easy to add extra pounds. Im sure in time you will be able to loose what you want. Feeling better mentally and physically is what I needed to get myself in gear to do this.
I wish you lots of luck in reaching your goal! You can do it!!

It's hard to remember not to pick up and lift and carry. My daughter comes over to keep me company and her 9month old messes up the place. My usual procedure would be to clean up after them but, I have to wait til my husband comes home to clean up. It is a big adjustment for me in that way. When someone comes over and asks for help I put them to work right away and ask them to pick up the phonebook on the floor or lift the milk jug left out by my daughter. Even the flower arrangements I received from the hospital have to be lifted and carried. Sounds silly but, that is where the pulling happens from my incisions. Otherwise I feel pretty good.

Hi all,
I am 10 days post op. from a TAH/BSO/appendectomy. These probelems stemmed from serious adhesions, left from my
c-sec over 10 years ago, as well as a lifetime of endo with heavy scarring on the bladder. I did the lupron thing and all that jazz before this surgery. Under the circumstances I can't believe how well I feel. I'm taking less pain med than before surgery!.....
However I know that I am nowhere near up to par and the "best" is probably yet to come. I would like to remind my sisters that at 6 weeks we are only 40% healed. THAT IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!
I am going to repeat some of the sisters here by reminding us all (me,too) that we only have one chance to heal properly,
USE IT WISELY!! REST, WALK, DRINK, EAT WELL!


Love to all,
Stacy

Thanks Marybeth for the advice. I too am feeling like I have no excuses left. I can loose the weight that I want to. Do you get a swelled stomach after walking? In the evening I swell up if I've had a over active day. Today I am taking it very easy because my daughter and I went to the mall yesterday and I'm pooped! I live in Ohio and it is miserable here too. I am thinking of walking on the tread mill in the a/c at a low level to keep moving. I lost right after my surgery but now it is right back. I can tell that I'm not getting the right kind of exercise I need. I'll be 5 weeks on Tuesday and I'm feeling great. I didn't know that you are only 40% healed at 6 weeks! Is that right? I feel 75% right now...wow, I really have some goodness waiting for me at the 100% mark!
Take care everyone!

Hi Marralee,

I'm truly glad that you're feeling so great, but there is plenty of healing still going on inside for at least 6 months to a year, according to a gyn. If you weren't still healing inside, you would NOT be swelling after a busy day. Swelling = you are still recovering.

Pain does not necessarily accompany swelly-belly. Nevertheless, please listen to your body. If there is swelling, that is a cue for you to be taking it easier. Everyone's different in their level of pain tolerance, but one thing is for certain: A hyst is a MAJOR surgery for anyone who has one. If you start overdoing it now because you are feeling "recovered", you can actually thwart your own healing process, and open yourself up to complications down the road.

The initial recovery period for this surgery is 6-8 weeks. The "3-week" wall does NOT necessarily hit everyone at exactly 3 weeks. Please be careful.

My very best to you...

Linda