Heavy lifting is a bad thing even at 4 1/2 months post-op

Hi all my wonderful hystersisters and Happy Holidays. I am 4 1/2 months post-op from a TAH, with right ovary removed. I have felt soooooo much better since having surgery. I guess I keep thinking I am all the way healed but now I know the truth.
Yesterday I lifted up my couch to look under it. I felt ok at the time but now, :eyes: I hurt in places I haven't hurt since just after the hyst. Ok,ok, I know that heavy lifting is a , but at 4 1/2 months post-op, I didn't even think about it. Do any of you more experienced sisters know how long until you can safely lift heavy objects? Also is it normal to be sore after lifting and is this a signal that I did too much?

Thanks
Too young

{{{Too Young}}} Sending cyber 's your way, as well as an Healing

I know just what you're saying: when I was 4 months post-op and feeling really good, I decided to clean up my sons drawers. It had been a while, since I'd been feeling really rotten for the most of the last 4 years, and it was time to do it. I even reorganized the and lifted one of them out and replaced it with another one. What a big

I ended up being in pain for the rest of the long week-end, felt like my tummy and my back were going to crack open!!!!

While we generally aggree not to lift more 5 or 10 lbs in the early weeks, it is not as clear when we should resume lifting REALLY heavy items. I guess that that's because it all depends on the type of surgery we had, our recovery and the shape we were in before surgery.

I just decided to play it safe and it was about 7 months before I started lifting items over 50 lbs. As is always the case, your best strategy is to ask your doctor and listen to your body.

In the meantime, just take it easy until the pain is gone. Back to couch with your tummy pillow and good book for the rest of the week-end

My primary care doctor said not to lift anything heavier than 20 pounds for 18 months!! She said the surgeons won't tell you that because they think a hernia is an easy thing to fix. I immediately told her that was not good news since I have a grand daughter whom I adore. She wouldn't relent --- she just said, "Sit down and pull her up into your lap."

YIKES...Too Young. It's amazing how fragile we our internally after surgery. I was still getting swelly belly off and on through month 5...so I knew there was still some healing going on.

Yes, being sore is a sign you did too much I'd take an ibuprofen and lay around a couple of days with heating pad

Hi Too Young,

I'd wait at least a full year before lifting anything heavy. You could be healing for that long, according to a GYN, and your health is worth being cautious.

I felt healing "pains" for at least 8 months.

My very best to you...

Heavy lifting is not the only thing that's a problem at 4 and a half months. Yesterday I put up Xmas lights outside, and was up and down the ladder and up and down the basement stairs about 20 times each. Last night I was so sore I felt like it was more like 4 1/2 weeks! I am still very careful about lifting, but I forget that stairs were a no-no for a long time too. There's a reason!

I easily forget that I laid around for 9 weeks, and taking a walk was a big excursion and exertion. Its now 9 weeks later, and I realize that I definately still healing.

Beannie
TAH-BSO for cervical cancer and cycle induced asthma
7-17-01

I am only a 2 weeks and 4 days post op and I feel great. I still get alittle tired. Pain? None really ( Compared to before the surgery). I feel like I can tackle the world now!
I am begining to resent being told NO!
How long does this really occur, I understand everone is different in thier healing process.

Thank you!
Tamm

Hi Tamm,

Don't tackle the world just yet. The early recovery period for this surgery is 6-8 weeks. This allows for the time around 3-5 weeks when those countless internal stitches start dissolving...you may feel your surgery more as weakened tissues are left to take over. If you start doing too much now, you may hit a wall when that time comes, so be careful.

Generally speaking, you should plan to take it pretty easy for 6 weeks as you may be feeling more "recovered" than you really are. After that time, you can start easing into all your normal routines slowwwwly! Remember, you've had major surgery, and you only have one chance to heal properly. Be patient rather than resentful...you will never regret it!

My very best to you...

Hi Tamm,

Yep! I felt terrific at 2 weeks and 4 days, too! Then, Weeks 3 and 4 hit! Have you read about the 3 week wall that some gals experience? I felt much worse during that period of time and then I also hit the 10 week wall. In other words, my recovery has been an up and down type---always with progress in a positive direction --- but very slow. I am now about 12 weeks and feeling better each day...stronger, sleeping better, have more stamina, am adding things to my daily routine, etc. But, I still need a nap each day.

Remember what the doctors say --- we are 40% healed at 6 weeks, 80% healed at 6 months, 100% healed at one year. So, you can see that 2 weeks is still pretty early in this process. I think we feel good at that point because not all the anesthesia and meds are out of our system. We are begining to get dressed daily. And, we are really glad it is behind us!

And, I think we are kind of used to getting well by the end of 2 weeks when we have a head cold, the flu -- our normal illnesses. Fortunately, we don't have too much of a history with surgical recovery!! Thank the Lord!

Just take it really easy even tho you feel good. Don't put yourself back into a tailspin. Take care. Happy Holidays!!



Barbara

BHH...

How I wish my doctor had told me what yours told you. She told me I'd be fine going back to work as a food server at 6 weeks post-op even after I told her that the trays I have to lift above my head are 40-70 pounds. Now I'm facing surgery for a hernia. If you think swelly belly is bad you should see my lumpy tummy with this added baseball sized hernia in the middle of it!
Ladies...be careful with any heavy lifting!

Vee