postop activity

[goody444]

It has been three weeks since my abdominal hysterectomy and oopherctomy and my oncologist says it is okay for me to walk a couple of miles and do some gentle swimming. I have always been very active and have also began some easy streching. Everything is healing well but my stomach is not flat. If I have no pain but am experiencing some gravity drag can I be Doing damage by continuing with my routine?


This discussion is related to post surgery question.

[lvfrogs]

Everyone has given great advice. I will just chime in too and say that 3 weeks is probably too soon and if you are feeling any pain, I would back it off some.  I am at 6 weeks for intestinal surgery and I did start walking at about 3 weeks, but it was very slow and short distances. I am back up to walking more now, but I still walk slower. I have even tried going back to line dancing, but I just do it a little bit. If you overdo, you just end up starting back over. I am still not lifting anything heavy or doing any activity that is a direct pull on the abdomen. You just can't see inside to see how it is healing, so you have to be patient and take it easy for awhile. I have been told it can takes months to fully heal inside. Patience is a virtue, right? LOL - I try to tell myself that! Good luck and hope your recovery continues to go well. oh, and the bloating - that takes a while to go away - I still have some bloating, but it will pass eventually!

[turtledovemom]

As goofy as this might sound, I had difficulty getting back to my regular job...which is conducting...after my surgery in '06.  I have always been one of those women who have little patience with sitting still...like most of us, I know.  So I wanted to get back to work as soon as I could...didn't want to waste time.  Stupid me.  Standing and holding my arms up was ridiculous...another reminder of how complex our anatomy is.

If you don't absolutely have to do it...don't do it! We are worth the time it takes to heal correctly and completely.

Flat stomach?  Wow...haven't seen that in a loooooong time.

[TrudieC]

My stomach wasn't flat to begin with but at around the 4 week post op point it was back to its previous fatness.

[crecco]

I agree, it does sound a bit extreme. When they say 6 weeks, they say it for a reason. I think that just about all of the women here have at least one story about trying to do too much too soon.
  Oh and my stomach is not flat either and it has been 2 years now.
   Chris

[AJ70]

I have to admit I agree with everyone here. I ran a half-marathon in the spring and was also very anxious to get back at it after surgery. However - I am at 6 weeks post-op and still can't lift anything too heavy without feeling a pull, and when I tried running a few steps felt pain. So am walking a mile or two at the most and just started that this week. Of course - everyone heals differently and that is amazing that at 3 weeks you can do things without feeling pain (I couldn't even think about working out at that point).......my surgeon did recommend no vigorous activity for 6 weeks........
Oh yeah - my stomach STILL isn't so flat (ok, never was totally haha) and I still am experiencing more swelling/bloating by the end of the day. When the heck does that stop I am wondering..............

Good luck,

Amy

[Jan214]

I wanted to get right back in the gym and thought I would right after surgery.  It was months later that I got back and it was light work outs at best.  Exercise is necessary, but you are not ready to be prepping for marathons.  Take it easy as you could be doing damage that you can't see.  I know how anxious you must be to feel healthy again with workouts, but right now I would keep it at LIGHT swimming.  Don't do anything that will pull on your insides to much.  No aggressive strokes. I, like most others was adviced not to lift anything heavier than my purse for 6 weeks and I found that to be good advice.
Good luck,
Jan

[junamgen]

Totally agree with Anne.  I would go "preceed with caution " each day by adding a bit more exercise or strenth.  I don't think it is a good idea to start with several miles for your 1st walk after OP, I would do 2-3 blocks at first, then increase each day if you fell OK.  Hope it helps.

Peace and Love

jun

[turtledovemom]

I usually chime in when questions regarding recovery and activity are involved, but I have to say that "a couple of miles and gentle swimming" at three weeks sounds just a bit extreme.  As far as your stomach not being flat, that is to be expected.  Your tissues are still swollen from the incisional area.  The rule of thumb always used to be to wait as long as six weeks before resuming strenuous activities.  My docs have always told me to avoid lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk, not to drive and, of course the least popular, no sex.  One more...take steps one at a time.  The bottom line is that our healing process is clearly not obvious to us because of how complex it is...there is no way to see what is going on beneath our skin.  You would be surprised at the variety of activities that involve our abdominal muscles.

If you are feeling discomfort, stop what you are doing.  You know your body better than anyone.  It's difficult not to feel guilty about laying back and not resuming our regular activity, which is usually quite hectic (it's a woman's way).  Give yourself the chance to heal completely.  It will be better for you in the long run.  

Good luck with your recovery...let us know how you are doing and, as always, don't be afraid to ask questions!
peace,
Anne