"Don't do too much", how active can I be?

Does anyone know how much is "too much". The Doc says "be careful, don't do too much".

I'm 17 days post-op and healing well. I've been to the store a couple of times (with the help of my 17 yr old son), I walked, pointed and wrote the check. He did everything else. Is this "too much"? Yesterday I went to movies and dinner with a friend. Is this "too much"?

I don't do any lifting, but have loaded the dishwasher and did some laundry (I didn't carry the basket). Is this "too much"?

My Doc today told me that my scar tissue was new and not to do "too much".

Please share your experiences with me. What is "too much"? I figure that if it doesn't hurt, pinch, pull or grab that I'm probably okay. Am I wrong?

Thanks,

Caprice
Please send direct email.

It's too bad your doctor wasn't more specific, but it sounds as if you're doing well.

Usually it's......no lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk (I bought my milk in 1/2 gallon sizes), no vacuuming, no stretching or bending......and rest when you're tired. Walking is fine, just don't go too far from home because you have to walk back again.
Sounds as if your recovery is going smoothly.

Best wishes,

Caprice - Some of the "body signs" I had when I was doing too much included: additional inflammation (swelly belly), more pain, very tired and/or grouchy and a feeling in my vagina that felt like a tampax coming out. These didn't necessarily happen all at the same time...but one OR all could be a sign. Also, more discharge could be a sign of over doing it. Listen to your body...it'll tell you...however, normally it doesn't tell you until it's too late

Rest is the key...however....it doesnt mean bed ridden....
movement is good but...no lifting....
The dishwasher hmmm to me isnt a good idea...your bending
stretching etc....

Your body knows best....it will tell you....when you get tried swelly
pain...etc....

Dont wait till you are tugging and pulling at sutures to realize opps....

Ask your doc to be more specific...Maybe he can enlighten you

I think shopping at 2 weeks post is a bit much....but your body will tell you that....

Just remember the most important things would be lifting,bending,stretching.....etc...
Good luck....keep us informed...
Happy Healing

forgot to add...you asked about experience...
Well at 2 weeks post....I tore making dinner...
so it can happen....
See ya....

I think I now know what is too much for me. I am about 12 wks post-op from TAH and have been back to work for 3wks. My job normally entails sitting at a computer and dealing with non-stop customers all day. However, there are a few stations in which my assignment is "lobby patrol/control". Lots of activity, walking around, and up and down in a chair continuously when not actually walking the floor, for 8 hrs. They are not very understanding at work, but I let them know I will not be able to finish my week at this station. I am very sore, and swollen. I feel like I have pushed my recovery back a couple of notches by over doing, so I won't do that again. My recovery thus far has been pretty smooth, just slow. I have until now been able to judge when enough is enough and pace myself. It is true that your body tells you when you have done too much, but not until it is too late to prevent the discomfort, so please take it easy and just add a little activity at a time. I thought for sure I would be "normal" by now, and I guess I am not. Any chance you get, lay down and put your feet up! that's how I do at home, but work is another story. Everyone is different.
Any words of wisdom from the long term Sisters out there? How long will this be such a worry? I am very careful abvout lifting bending, etc.

Shelly

Caprice, as the others have said, at this point in your recovery you really shouldn't be doing much of anything: resting is your main job right now. Walking a little, to help your recovery along is the only activity you really should engage in. Remember, sitting is an activity.

You ask for experience, so here's mine.

The first time I did too much was very early in my recovery: I came out of the castle on the morning of the 5th day post-op and I actually went shopping for 3 hours . That was wayyyyy too much and I was down for the next three days, in pain, swelly, tired and very irritable!!!

The next time was at 2.5 weeks, when my BIL, SIL and their 2 VERY young daughters came to visit over the hollidays (I had my surgery on the 14th of December, last year). I was "good" in the sense that I did'nt do any of the cooking, however, I DID shop a little, entertain my SIL a good deal, and, couldn't resist picking up my 13 mo niece a few times. Again, I ended paying for it and found myself in a lot of unnecessary pain for a few days thereafter.

Other than that, I took it pretty easy, especially once the rush of the hollidays was over. Generally, I found that sitting up-right would put a lot of stress on my stitches, so I would really limit the time I did that. I DID spend quite a bit of time at the computer, but I would sit in a chair with several pillows around me and my feet up.

Hope this helps shed a little on the matter.