dVH/RALH: Post Surgery Limitations/Activities

I'm having my surgery June 11. I play in a handbell quartet at church that normally still practices some during the summer. I usually play the small bells. Are there any sisters that also play handbells? If so, any idea how long I'll have to give up practicing? Also, when might I feel like singing? Thanks for any guidance you can provide. Sara

I;m not a singer or a handbell pla yer, but I don't think you'll have a problem/limitation doing either. Your problem may be not being able to drive. Ask your doctor how long before you can drive. I was not comfortable even being a passenger for quite some time. Also for the first week you'll be way to out of it to want to do anything. Week 2 you may feel a bit better, but you may not be ready to socialize outside the home yet. Everyone is different, so you can't predict really how you'll feel.

Thanks. My dr did say I could drive after I was off pain meds. He also said I could go back to work after 2 weeks. After reading the posts here I am finding that is unrealistic. I can take 6 weeks so I plan taking at least 4 and most likely all 6.

I also have fibromyalgia so I'm not sure how my body will react to major surgery. Thanks for the Hugs!!!

Doctors all are different. Aren't you glad you found this website?

You probably will be pretty weak and tired the first couple of weeks, but after that I don't see any reason you can't practice the handbells with your group. If you get too tired during a practice you can always cut the practice short, or take a rest break. But you will probably enjoy getting out among your friends and doing something fun like that. As for singing, go ahead and sing. A hysterectomy doesn't hurt your voice, and your diaphragm should work just fine.

I'm not musically talented but if playing the handbells requires any reaching or twisting - you may be tender when you do that. I agree that it will probably be good for you to get out if you are up to it. I would recommend listening to your body. Hugs and best wishes!

When you speak of singing, if you sing quietly around the house for pleasure I see no problem. If you sing in the Church choir, that may be a little more difficult since that type of singing involves the diaphram and abdominal muscles. I found a couple of old threads that might help.

http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...d.php?t=285940

http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...d.php?t=125520

Hope this helps......

	Quote:
Originally Posted by sl62diva I'm having my surgery June 11. I play in a handbell quartet at church that normally still practices some during the summer. I usually play the small bells. Are there any sisters that also play handbells? If so, any idea how long I'll have to give up practicing? Also, when might I feel like singing? Thanks for any guidance you can provide. Sara

Hi ,

I dont play musical instruments but I had surgery on April 30 (Davinci) and my recovery was awesome... I am a stay at home mom and if I had to go back to work I would have had no problem going back in 2 weeks... I know everyone is different so you will just need to listen to your body.. I never needed pain meds other than Ibuprofen the first 2 days after that i took it easy...GOOD LUCK!!

My surgery is the same day! Based on what I have read here over the past month and a half:

1. you will probably get tired more quickly

2. In most bell choirs I have seen the people are standing behind tables with several hand bells in front of them. They usually have two in hand most of the time and then have to set them down and pick up then next note they need-- I bet you won't be wanting to stand for a whole hour of a practice in a row. Finding a stool with a back or doing it from a chair part of the time might help to give you options during practice.

Listen to your body! If you are tired rest!

AS for singing-- if you can sit and sing then stand and sing (that's how my church choir practices) then sit again that part would be easy. I'm thinking that being able to sustain higher notes with support would be difficult but not damaging. It is good to keep air moving all the way to the bottom of the lungs -- The hospitals usually have people blowing into a device to exercise the lungs to an keep from getting lung infections.

Hope that helps! Good luck on the 11th! I'll be there too.

I also had a dvh on April 13th and as I'm sure you have noticed everyone is very different. I went back to fulltime employment at 1 week. I manage a small casino and can sit and stand most of the time. I'm now 5 weeks and I have worked back up to 20 mile bike rides and fulltime work. So everyone is different just listen to your body it will let you know when to slow down. Just to give you a little ray of sunshine after the first week things get much easier and I'm loving life now :-).