Activity level post op

I would like some "real life" info on activity levels post surgery. How long before I should expect to be up and about - even if slowly - and how much can I lift and when? I'm trying to plan out dinners and laundry calendars for the kids and I don't want it to look so overwhelming they run hiding! LOL I have read things over and over about nothing for 6 - 8 weeks, but how real is that honestly? Can anyone tell me how long I should really expect to be feeling like all I can do is sleep and go to the bathroom? I'm 36 and having a TAH with bladder sling on 9/26 due to non invasive cancer. I figured if I was going in--I'd take a little bladder fix on the side :-)

Thanks for all your honesty in advance.....

Hello, I am only 7 days post-op but will tell you what I know...
Had surgery on Friday, slept for most of the day, in the wee hours of the night was the first time I tried to sit up, and vomited a little (surprisingly, didn't really hurt, but it came up fast and over fast) then later same night tried again, same thing again happened, and finally on the third try I was able to sit in a chair for about 10 min. then vomited again and felt very washed out, tired, so went back to bed. Saturday about 11 am. I got up on my own, (without anymore vomiting, which was due from the anethesia by the way) and very very slowly walked up and down the hospital hall, so my gas would start and wake up the bowels, was not terribly painful but I was on a morphine pump till about 3 pm. Saturday. I walked about 10 min. then would go lay down awhile and repeat all day. It really felt good to walk (a bit of freedom). Catheter came out Saturday morning, and IV came out Saturday night. Sunday was released at 10 am. At home I am able to get up and down as needed (bathroom, drink, eat, etc.) and walk a bit now and then, don't really feel tired, just sore. But I take everything VERY SLOW AND CAUTIOUS! as told to me by the doctor.
As far as lifting, I am not allowed to lift anything 10 lbs. or more for 8 weeks. Steps only as I can tolerate (which I can't yet) and very slow, no driving for 6 weeks, NO HOUSEWORK!! I was specifically told NOT TO DO ANYTHING for 2 weeks!! I will obey!! Don't want to take any chances! So just listen to your doctor and your body, my dr. says, if it hurts, don't do it.
Hope this helps and good luck and quick recovery to you!! It really isn't as bad as you think it might be, hard to believe, I know, but true!!

I am 5 weeks post op from a TAH/BSO and am only really starting to do things for myself - cooking, loading the washing machine, walking to the shop for limited groceries.

I have been able to make myself drinks and snacks since I came out of hospital and was very cautious on the stairs for a couple of weeks. Certainly for the first couple of weeks all I wanted to do was sleep, eat, walk a little and go to the bathroom. Weeks 3 & 4 were quite slow too but there was an improvement in week 5.

But I haven't done any cleaning, lifting, gardening, driving......

Good luck with the pre op planning, surgery and your recovery!

The checkpoints really help with knowing what you can start doing when. Follow your doctors instructions and listen to your body. My DR told me no driving 2 weeks, no lifting anything heavier than 10 lbs (a jug of milk weighs 9), no picking up anything off of the floor (Grabbers or another person really helps here). And don't be afraid to tell someone you need help.

Here's my little real life experience dotting down as it's still fresh in my head.

1st week - be the queen, let everyone take care of you. pain and discomfort is at it's max into day 4-5 ..from that point onwards.. everything starts to look better and your focus is off pain management and loving life instead !

2nd week - while dh at work and kids in school, some of my friends who work around drop in to chat and some brought me out to lunch . It was good to get back to a little normacy. Activity include preparing simple meals for kids. Pace of walking is still slow but good to get out and walk the block. I started driving short distance at end of week 2. I have a desk job and was back to at 2 1/2 week.

I am due for my 6 wk postop on the 24th. Right up now, I still kept this guideline in all the activities I do. "Listen to your body , rest if you are tired. No heavy lifting (I will not carry anything that I can't with one hand) and do not over stretch/reach. Your body will tell you so listen and don't over things. "

This is my personal experience but please do check with your doctor for clearance as I have in my little journey.

well, i had mine june 11th and i am still tired out very easily. I hope it gets better. it helps to get out and walk. i have had a hard time with the hormones and depression and now some back pain that i hope is going away but really take it wasy and one day at a time and just because you feel good one day dont overdue it or your body will rebel. Anyway I think im saying the same thing as the post above mine lol. Also try to eat right. I really just started eating so much junk because i just felt lazy and too tired to care but i think it makes a difference.

I am a huge overachiever and had grand visions of coming home and being ready to go. The lifting restriction is a MAJOR deal...obey your doctor.

I had an LAVH 11 days ago. Although I have very little pain, I can quickly tell when I overdo it. My energy level is still very low...very unexpected for me. I am sorting laudry (hubby gathers the hampers) and doing light chores, but that is it. I have made it as far as the first two aisles in the grocery store, then came home to crash. Don't expect to be bedridden after the first week or so, but don't expect to conquer the world either. Take things one day at a time and do what you feel like...but don't push it. Accept help when offered. Best wishes!

I would have to say from my experience not to plan on doing anything for the first two weeks. I am only 3 weeks out from my LAVH and my Dr. just told me he still doesn't want me doing anything more than sorting or folding laundry that has been brought to me because for some reason I have tend to take longer healing from surgery than most people. I do still walk around the house and go out and get the mail and fix my own lunch, but yesterday was the first day I had my 3 year old home with me for the first time and it was pretty difficult.

That is what I have experienced so far. I don't know yet what the days ahead will hold.

i was amazed after my surgery (TAH +BSO + bladder repair) that NOTHING for 2 weeks, 'really' did mean NOTHING! your body just demands the recline position. take home your hospital water bottle and plan on sipping from the lay down position. i don't have any young ones at home anymore, so i was able to 'stay down', but, i did have my youngest preparing to go back to college and that was exhausting! i am 5 weeks and a couple days. i have just this past week started to carry the gallon milk carton from store to frig. seriously, let your body heal. best of luck.

I think everyone heals differently. I start getting deppressed if I am just sitting at home not doing anything. I am almost 3 weeks post op, heres how it went for me:
1st week- stayed at the hospital for two days, as soon as cathether and pain pum were gone I did lots of walking around at hospital, I was off of pain meds on the 2nd day. When I came home, I slept in the recliner all week, I found it hard to get comfortabl but not real pain. I did not do any housework but made it my job to walk to the mail box and take walks with my kids. My 7 y/o son felt "special" because he got to take me out on walks and we talked about school and karate and stuff. At my one week appt I was so excited to get out of the house, after the appt we took my daughter to her first day of preschool.
2 weeks- At 10 days post op my DH went back to work, and I will behonest by that time I was SO ready for my life to g et back to normal. I felt just fine and felt I could drive and do light chores but after listening to everyone here I was super scared. However that morningmy mom who was suppose to take my kids to school had a mild heart attack and ended up in the ER. That left me to drive the kids to school and I did just fine. Since then I have been folding laundry, cooking etc.

I have drivento my DD dr's appt that are an hour each way without any problem. Everyday I find I can do more and more. My DR's only restriction where no sex and no heavy lifting. He told me I could drive whenever I felt up to it and once off the pain meds. I think it all really depends on your attitude and if you have any complication.For me gettinglife back to normal was a priority because I get easily deppressed if I cannot go out. I listen to my body though and I rest alot if I do alot. I think you will be just fine!