How soon after surgery should you start walking and how far or how long?

Wish I had discovered this website pre-surgery...didn't run into it till a few days after surgery and I am learning so much just reading the messages. I had LAVH-BSO 9/18/01 and have been walking a little around the house.

On Saturday and Sunday I went to a nursery and some shops and spent about 10-15 minutes very slowly walking around. I didn't get any directions post-op aside from a written hospital discharge that said, 'activity as tolerated". I would like to go outside to take an actual walk, if that is good for me..but I read so many messages saying that if you overdo you will pay for it the next day.

What is overdoing at 12 days post-op. Today is the first day I actually feel pretty comfortable and not so tired. Didn't know that drinking water flushes out the anesthesia, will make sure I do that. What is swelly belly - I keep reading references to that. I know my stomach felt huge right after surgery...it is still somewhat big. I go to my doctor for check Friday and will also ask these questions, in the meantime..what about walking - should I be trying to take a walk outside at this point? I think it will be slow going but possible.

Walking is the best exercise for you right now, and it seems like you've been doing well. I think the fresh outdoor air will do wonders for you. Walk slowly, and don't venture too far at first. You have to walk home, so don't go too far at first. Each day, depending on how you feel, you can go a little further. If you have a cell phone, it might be a good idea to take that with you. If you were able to tolerate walking over the weekend, you shouldn't have any problems.

It's normal for your abdomen to be swollen, but it's still a good idea to ask your doctor about it. Ask about other restrictions when you see the doctor (lifting, housework, laundry, etc.). I hope you continue to feel better and better.

Hi there
Sounds like you are doing well! The main thing is listen to your body.
I am 10 days post op and have gone from serious gym junkie to slow coach walker. Every day I have gone a bit further.My husband was going with me but he went back to work todayI'll have to lure someone to go with me!
Happy Healing
Down under

My doctor told me I could start walking at 2 weeks post-op. I walked around our neighborhood with my husband -- it's only about 1/2 a mile around a circle. As time passed I went to the mall or Walmart and walked longer distances or spent longer periods of time on my feet, but I always came home and rested afterwards with my feet up. I don't know how hot it is in Arizona these days but be aware of the heat and don't go too far if it's hot, it'll wear you out faster.
Hang in there down under, I am a serious gym junkie too. I was told by my doc that it was okay to return to the gym at 6 weeks. The first couple of weeks were tough and I took it easy but I kept going. You'll get back there too.
Even after your tummy's swelling has gone down after surgery, some days if you're on your feet a lot or overdo things it will swell up later in the day again. Believe me you'll know swelly belly if you see it! The good thing is it generally goes down again when you rest for a while.
Good luck, happy healthy recoveries!
Peachy
TAH/BSO 1/5/01 cyst, huge fibroids, endo, adeno

My surgery was a day before yours on the 17th. Since coming home I have walked outside everyday. I contribute my excellent healing to the walking I have done.Swelly belly has not really been an issue for me. My Dr told me walking was excellent and to get out there and do it.He said I would know when I have to stop. Listen to your body. Yesterday I walked for 45 minutes and I felt wonderful. I am not tired today and no swelly belly. I will be heading out soon for another walk.It is wonderful to be able to do it. With working full time you never get the time to do it daily. I promised myself that I would walk 7 days a week while I was off.


Take care

Hi beta, I was a walker before surgery. I haven't missed a day walking in over 7 years. I really didn't want my streak to end. My fear is I will stop walking once I've let myself miss a day. Seems silly after this long, but I know me well enough. I asked my Doctor about this at all my pre-ops and he said it was the best thing I could do for myself as far as my recovery went. I was concerned about the day of surgery, so I got up at 4:30 a.m. and got my walk in for that day. The nurse got me up to stand the evening of my surgery. My brain was screaming "no,no,no," but I knew it was the best thing for me. I had also read that once you started standing up, to make sure to stand completely up and not stand bent over any. That gives everything a chance to sort of stretch out gently. Well, not only did I stand that first night, I really felt good and the nurse, my dear hubby, and I went for a walk down the hall in the hospital and back. I have walked everyday since, slowly, over time speeding up and getting back to my usual distance, (2-3 miles). At first I would walk 4-5 times a day usually in the house since it was cold and nasty here in March, but once the weather got pretty just getting outside made all the difference in the world. Be careful though. I thought I was doing great, and had a major brain fog and locked myself out of my house. Luckily, I could get to the phone in the back porch and called my husband, who called a friend of ours who has a key, and he came and let me in. (My husband had taken my house key off of my car keys so that my daughter didn't have to have so many keys on the ring. He asked me didn't I check to see if the key was there before I left and I said, no, these were my keys and they always had a house key on them before). So check with you Dr. and enjoy the walks. (I always take my dog with me and couldn't for the first few weeks because he weighs 80 lbs. and pulls the whole way. Be careful about that.) Good Luck!

Hi!! Just take care!!! At 8 days postop-I felt great-so I walked across the yard to visit my granddaughter. By the afternoon, I was in severe pain-worse than in the castle!! A knot came up above my incision and started running a low fever. Ended up at the doc's after only 9 days!! Everything is ok-I just over did it. Spent the next week in bed in the worst pain EVER. Had to take meds every 2 hours-Doc's orders. So boy have I been taking it easy ever since-Learned my lesson!! susie

Walking is the best thing for you at this point. It keeps the circulation going and speeds recovery. Don't worry too much if you're overdoing it, if you are, your body will tell you. A short walk every day at this point, with plenty of rest, will do you a world of good. Start slow and don't do too much!

I started out just walking around the house, then out in the yard, then around the block. Like everyone else my doctor advised walking. After each I come in and sleep because I am still really tired a lot. Today though I took my little dog on a leash with me. My doctor advised against taking a leash but my beagle walks really nicely and I knew she wouldn't pull. Along with the health benefits, your mood will improve. I teach school and always miss these beautiful fall afternoons so I appreciate it. Good Luck to you!!!!!

Love,
Maggie

Thanks for all the great walking advise. I today.

Stopped when I got little twinges in the area of one of the four incision sites cause I'm not sure if that is a problem. Are the twinges a concern?

I see my for the first time on Friday. This is the first time I have seen him since before the surgery (his resident visited me in the hospital). So, plan to ask about these twinges, and the occasional feelings of pulling and something moving around on right side of abdomen.

Spoke with his nurse and she said walking is very good for the circulation and they encourage it...but listen to your body and pace yourself. I was tired after a brief 20 minute slow trip and came home and napped for an hour. I know I will feel better when I get back into walking. I plan on asking him about lifting light weights too (5 pounders) to work on arms - maybe sitting down it might work and not hurt. Don't want to lose what little :muscle: I have.

Again, thanks...boy this is a great website!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Beta