managing stairs

Hi ladies,

I have a question regarding stairs, did anyone have limits on the use of stairs? My home is a tri-level house and it requires me to use stairs just to get into my home and honestly I'd really like to get to my bedroom as soon as I return from the hospital.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kathy

I had that question also. I cannot get into my house without going up steps. One entrance has 5 steps, the other 4. Will I be able to manage this after returning from the castle?

I'm glad you all have asked that question. I'm waiting for the response to. There are about 12 steps leading to my bedroom and I so want to sleep in my own bed upon returning from the castle.

Hey ladies. Okay, I am still pre op (9 days), but I posted this question a few weeks ago and got some answers.
I am having a TAH and RSO and most people said if I was extra extra careful I could make it up the stairs, just go slowly cuz I will not be as balanced as I am now. I have about 15 stairs to go to my room. Can't stay downstairs cuz i live with a bunch of doglovers...hence, dogs everywhere.
I was advised to make sure the upstairs room I was staying in was comfy and well equipped to be my resting place for a few days. My bathroom is right next to my room and I have tv and a nightstand and a DH to fetch stuff from downstairs.

Like I said, i haven't experienced it yet, but that was the advice that I was given.

Good Luck and Take Care!

I was told that it's ok to go up and down stairs but to take it slowly and for the first few days have the room you are staying in most of the time equipped with everything you need. Try to limit the times you go up and down which you will do anyway, but i didn't have any reall problems with them. It has been said that you can also go up them backwards if thats easier but I didn't need to.

I had read on here that stairs were difficult and backwards is better.
I was concerned when leaving the hospital, as I had a few stairs as well.
When I got in the house I was busy talking to my brother and niece.
While they were out getting my meds at the pharmacy and I was lying on the couch, and realized I navigated the stairs without even thinking about them - so it was not a problem - for me!

There are 14 steps to go upstairs in my house. It kind of worried me a bit I must admit.

In hospital the physio came to see me a few times and we've tackled some stairs too. If you don't have that service provided please ask one of the nurses on how to do stairs after surgery. Or your doctor. I am sure you will be given good advice.

In hospital, found it easier to go down than to go up
---> and was told it's usually the opposite for most women. Ah well! I was told to limit my trips up and down the stairs and to plan well in advance those trips.

At home I must honestly say that only the first 2 days were a bit rough when it came to stairs. I went slowly! And DH was not too far behind me. Because my bedroom is upstairs I limited my trips upstairs to only one during the day. Once upstairs well that was it, I stayed there.

It's my 13th day since TAH. I am doing fine. My daily walks help a lot I think and the Pilates exercises they've given me in hospital. I still do the stairs at a slow pace but no more pain doing so. Yesterday I went 3 times upstairs! But I try not to overdo it. It is important for me to heal and not to suffer any set back.

The very best to you!

I had abdominal hyst & was released at less than 48 hours post op. I have 4 steps to climb to get into my house. I was fine, uncomfortable, but I knew from this site to take them backwards. I don't know how a whole flight would be. I think you should set up a bed in a recliner or couch downstairs just incase. (I wasn't able to sleep in my bed until about 7 olr 8 days post op.) I know one sister here, Vega, has had alot of trouble with her stairs. Good luck!

I asked my DR. and she said that the stairs were ok, but not to over do them (there are 14 steps). My family and I made a deal and I use them twice a day. Someone was with me the first two days, as my balance was not too good. In fact, I slipped a little with my shoes on, so I have been my usual shoeless self since then. I went very slowly the first few days, and did one foot, then the other before moving on to the next step. It took a longer time, but I was more steady that way. I had my surgery on Monday, June 9th and came home on Thursday. Today is the first day, that I was able to do a few stairs like 'normal.'
PS- I had TAH/BSO with intestinal reapairs.
Good luck!

I was up and down my flight of stairs multiple times my first day home. No problem. Hope you just have a rail to hold onto. I was too restless to stay in bed all day. I was home alone. You'll know when you've done too much. Frankly, I didn't really give it a second thought.