TVH: Return to "normal" activity level

I am having a TVH-BSO on April 29th. I know each person is different, but would be interested to hear how long it took people to return to a pre-op activity level.

I am an avid gardner and fisher, and am really more than a little distressed that I will be missing some prime time this summer for both these activities.

I know the doc said 6 weeks before intercourse, but my husband and I have gone without for 8 months due to the pain anyway, so am looking forward to hopefully only needing to wait the 6 weeks.

However, does 6 weeks sound like an average time to return to above activities to everyone?

Any input would help, this is really one of the most upseting aspects of the surgery to me. And thank you so much for the support I have already received! This is obviously a wonderful group and I am so thankful to have found this resource.

I had a TVH and tomorrow is 8 weeks for me and I'm still not back to normal. You'll just have to listen to your body and do what it tells you. I've been reading on this site since last October and some women snap back pretty quick and some take longer than you would imagine. Turns out I'm taking longer than I ever imagined. I keep trying to push myself back into normal activities but a) I'm afraid of doing some kind of harm to myself and b) by the end of the day I've got swelly belly and I just want to rest. With that being said, I work 8 hours a day, grocery shop, do laundry and clean up around the house (with some help from Hubby of course), so it's not like I can't do anything, just not as much as I'd like to be doing.

Good luck.

packer26
First off, your in Idaho - me too!!! Meridian to be exact.

I'm only 4 weeks out - but I have to tell you - I am shocked at how much this surgery knocked me off my feet. I'm normally total go-go, runnning here and there. I thought after my 2 week mark that I would be back to 'normal'. I don't know where I got that idea? Well, I guess I could of done more - however I also somehow got the flu/virus thing going around - so that didn't help.

However I also had an TAH - and it was emerg. and required 4 pints of blood transfused, so I think those two things made it a little harder on me too.

But like you said, it's different for everyone. I think the key is to be REALLY good the initial 6 weeks. If not, I've heard from so many people that you will set yourself back.

Thanks, that helps alot. I am not working currently and my husband has been furloughed so he is not working either, and I am trying to prepare him as much as possible for my recoup time, but he already is very active with housework and very emotionally supportive - a fantastic hubby!

Also, my mother lives close and is very supportive and helpful, so it will not be hard for me to rest well for the first 6 weeks. Sounds like maybe that will help for being more ok later.

Being sick while recovering sounds awful! Good luck on your continued recovery and thanks again for the info!

Ladyluck923 - sounds like you are already VERY active! I don't even do that much now! Good luck on your continued recovery.

Hello Packer 26,

I am at the 5 weeks mark and am still getting my butt kicked by activities I thought I would be ready for.

I did not take off as much time as I should have from work but I have an office job and sit all day.
I take my heating pad to work with me. It is my very good friend.

Just remember that even though you are having TVH it is major surgery on the inside.
Just take it slow and one day at a time. You will have days that you think you are all better and then you will be back on the couch resting.
I am just waiting for that 6 month mark I think I should begin to feel "normal" by then.

Take care of yourself and like so many say on here pamper the princess
Hugs Chella

I had a LAVH on February 17th and I'm back to normal. For weeks I would "poop out" when trying to do simple things. Just exhausted! Now though, I feel fine and the exhaustion is gone.

I'm trying to imagine the push and pull of gardening and I dare say you won't want to do that for 6 weeks but if fishing isn't that strenuous you might be okay at 3-4 weeks.

For me, by 1 week I was off pain meds. By 2 weeks I was able to shop for groceries (no unloading and loading) and by 3 weeks I could take my kids to the park.

I'm 39, BTW. Having young children forces you to get back to the routine as quickly as possible.

Thanks, that sounds very reassuring. I don't have children, but do have three cats! Have a feeling my hubby will be cleaning the litter box for awhile, which is traditionally my job.

I have a cat only too! My hubby is still cleaning the litter box and it's just so nice. Wondering how long I can prolong that?! However I have taken over feeding her again!

I am going to prolong the "I'm Not Allowed To Vacuum" thing as long as humanly possible.

I am going to forego the garden this summer, as much as it bothers me. They do say 6mos - 1year for total healing, and I am already behind the 8 ball for a garden this year. I will go to the Farmers Market instead, but just for this year!!