Exercise after TAH/BSO

[Foggybottom]

I had surgery Aug 21, TAH/BSO with a bikini line incision.  I had lots of adhesions so the surgery was a little rough and I lost a lot of blood.  I've been off work and going stir crazy at home.   I really want to start doing some more serious physical stuff.  Before the surgery the doc said do what you feel like doing, but she didn't give any hard endpoints for rest.  She said 4-6 weeks off of work.  Other than that it was "do what you feel like doing".  I don't hurt much at all, occasional twinges and pulling sensations, but no real pain to speak of.  Is it too early to do things like run, ride a bike, swim?  How about ride a horse?  Would I be doing more damage to bounce my insides around or would it help healing to stretch things out and keep them mobile?  Sudden twisting moves I can feel a pulling sensation, but it doesn't bother me that much.  Anybody else resume strenuous physical activity before 3 weeks?

[slowmotion]

Hi, im knew to all this. Just wondering if it is normal at 3 wks. to still have pain, mainly one sided it feels like a constant knot in the insde w/ cramps at times and im still slow. By th e way i had a TAH w/ BSO  also my tapes did not fall off yet.                   worried Paula

[Anna-maria74]

Totally agree at 10 weeks I am still building up my strength now to try for a baby! However there is a vast difference between getting up and moving around and the exersise that the poster is alluding to.

Anna x

[Foggybottom]

I've been walking for exercise, but I wonder about the type of walking.  I live in a very hilly area, seems like climbing up and down the hills puts as much stress on things as the No no exercises.  Do I need to find a flat place and walk around in circles?  :)

[Foggybottom]

OK OK, I know better, but I'm going crazy!

Just needed to be slapped back into line  :)

thanks all!

[turtledovemom]

What you see on the outside DOES NOT necessarily represent what's going on in the inside.  Please give yourself the benefit of recovering completely before taking on anything such as you listed.  
peace,
Anne

[brthbbs]

Well I'm going to give the other side of the story.  I have had several abdominal surgeries and have always returned to moderate exercise at 2-3 weeks.  After my latest I drove myself to my 2 week post surgery appointment, parked several blocks away and walked to the appointment.  I was slow to be sure, but my doctor thought it was great that I'd gotten myself out of bed and moving.  Pay attention to the clues your body gives you, if it hurts don't do it, if you're tired, stop--if you don't feel like doing it--don't.  But movment can help heal the body and post surgical patients heal faster if they move around then if they sit for too long.  Pay attention to your body--this is not the "no pain, no gain" time, but it is a time when you can slowly regain your strength with moderate exercise with the type you're used to doing.

[Gatsby]

NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!  It takes your body 6 months to a year to fully heal on the inside.  If you start this strenuous activity before you are thoroughly healed, you could cause major permanent damage!!!  Please go easy on your self.
Let your body heal.
~Tascha

[Anna-maria74]

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good god woman!

I strongly disagree with your doctor I'm afraid. Your body feels 'able' to do far more than you should be doing. At 3 weeks I felt like I could take on the Earth but had to keep sitting on my hands to prevent myself from doing to much. You may feel good on the outside but it is the inside that must heal.

walking is good, but when you set out remember you have to get back. I had a dip in the pool at 3 weeks but this was against doctors advice - the chlorine can irritate the wound if it is not completely healed.

Horse riding a big fat no no. No lifting anything over 5 pounds, no pushing and pulling (hoovering for example) and no be a stuborn patient :)

Rest relax and enjoy being bored - how often do us woman get to feel bored?

Anna x