Not overdoing things

Welcome Dreamweaver, your nurse is very wise. You know its definitely important to be careful post op to allow your body to fully heal, a seating job maybe easier the only causation I will say is the fatigue maybe a factor of when your well enough to resume your job and fatigue can last longer then we realise. I am afraid I was on the naughty step early on in my recovery after surgery I kept forgetting myself and was bending down to things and stretching rather earlier then I should and I suffered for it and snapped a few internal stitches and got a good telling off, that said though its made me more wise in saying be careful about bending, lifting and stretching keep it to an absolute minimum for a few weeks. I found having cushions around me at night and sleeping slightly seat up more comfortable. Another good tip is perhaps if you live alone to have some prepared meals that you can freeze and then just heat up in oven/microwave really helps at first. A cushion/pillow in the car to put between the seatbelt and you really helps support you, also one you can have if you need to cough if you have a pillow against you it just reduces the strain on your abdomen. Recovery times do vary between us all and very individual but definitely important to rest as much as possible after your op. Recovery time is better with keyhole surgery then open so that should makes a big difference to you.

Lots of ladies here different experience and it all helps to learn from. Sending you a gentle hug

Thanks GBear I shall do my best not to end up on the naughty step :-) Your tips on using pillows and cushions is great advice. I don't plan to drive (have hardly used the car since March anyway) but occasionally am a passenger so will take something to protect my tummy. Fortunately, my partner enjoys cooking so am looking forward to being able to take things easy for a while.

I've had several leaflets from the hospital, and they talk of taking regular short walks, almost from the day you get home, so I hope to do that (although today's weather would put me off). My yoga practice will be off-limits for quite a while I expect - I've already spoken to my teacher and we plan to devise some easy postures that won't be risky (hands, wrists, feet, and head, movements) but will keep me from stiffening up too much. Sounds like the first few weeks are the time to catch up on my reading backlog and unfinished knitting :-)

Dreamweaver

x

Hello Dreamweaver, I agree with everything gbear says. I am 69, and five weeks ago I had hysterectomy with removal of Fallopian tubes ovaries and cervix.  I was lucky and had keyhole surgery. My tummy was very sore after the op, but the next morning I was up and moving, although didn't feel strong enough to get dressed.  My consultant said I could go home as soon as I passed wind, that shows your bowels have started working.  Didn't happen for me, so second night in hospital, but then went home.  

I live with my husband so had someone to look after me.  I have made a very good recovery, but I have taken things very carefully.  After a few days I was throwing the duvet over the bed, and doing washing up but nothing much else. Although I was going for a walk every day, and trying to get a bit more distance each time.  By week 4 I was driving, best to check with your insurance company tho, as some have a clause in their policy that says no driving till six weeks after surgery.  

Remember also, that although everything may heal quickly on the outside, you don't know what's going on inside! My keyhole sites closed up within about two to three weeks, but some bits of my tummy still feel sore. I like to play golf, and I am hoping to get back on the course maybe next week, weather permitting, as I feel almost back to normal now.

funny you should mention sex! Haven't seen it mentioned much on this forum, probably cos all of us who are post op are going "euuch, no thanks"! But my consultant said no sex for 12 weeks after keyhole surgery, so could be longer for open surgery. 

Hope this of some help.but all of us are different of course.

It sounds like you're making great progress Jigsaw, and makes me think life won't be too bad post-op.

Thought I'd ask here about sex as it doesn't seem to rate a mention in any of the leaflets I've had so far...

I'd read about blood thinning injections and compression stockings being used at the hospital - does this only happen while there or does their use continue after you've been discharged to home? So many questions!

Grateful for all the replies I've had - it makes this tough situation so much easier!

I had to keep the passion killer stockings on for four weeks! Also had to give myself blood thinning injections for four weeks too.  I think these things all depend on the individual. I notice on this forum some people have ct and MRI scans before their ops, but I only had an ultrasound scan and a biopsy which revealed the presence of those horrible cells. It was all very quick, for which I'm very thankful.  But at the same time it doesn't give you much time to get your head around things.

Oh yeah the sexy stockings I had to wear them at first for four weeks, well I was told that and when I was fully mobile my hysterectomy being half and half I had an extra incision to heal up. I had the blood thinning injections for a week oh I was hopeless at it honestly, you would just laugh at the way I was doing it. I was shown sure but its so different when you do it yourself. I am surprised I got any of it in me in the end. I ended up putting my sexy stockings back on for an extra couple of weeks because even though I was doing some gentle walking my left leg swelled, still does from time to time. I found out recently I had a damaged lymph node, nothing to do with the cancer but it can be a bit problematic from time to time. Oh yes and another good tip extra large knickers, you will probably hear about the big girls pants but trust me they are a life saver with the post op bloat, it makes it so much more comfortable, the bowels also tend to have a little snooze during your op and you may find you need to wake them up, this is done a variety of ways the hospital may give you movicol, prune juice is good and one of my favorite is peppermint tea very refreshing and gentle on the bowels to ease the wind pain too. Because they pump gas into the abdomen to get a better view inside but this causes bloat, terrible wind pain if your unlucky but its also possible to get pain the shoulder too which sounds strange but its the gas bubbles dissipating out of the body.

Sounds like the next few months are going to be a whole new experience but forewarned is forearmed, thanks GBear. I have bought the big pants already :-)

Hi Dreamweaver,

I'm sorry you have to go through this but you are totally in the right place with all these wonderful ladies on here. My Hysterectomy was was 1 & 1/2 years ago & I recovered very well. The best bit of advise I can give is Rest, Rest, Rest ! Yes you will be a bit bloated & uncomfortable so to start with it's a case of take things very easy, you do need to keep moving so maybe a stroll around the garden several times a day or a short trip to a local park for some fresh air if possible & safe.

The first week of recovery is tiring so take naps when you need to, as time passes by things will improve as long as the advice you were given is taken, so no lifting, no bending over too much & no over stretching. Listen to your body it will let you know if things are too much & also keep in mind there is a lot of healing to take place inside that cannot be seen, as GBear has said extra cushions & pillows for support so you can get a good nights sleep,& also eating well.

I don't know about the work thing but your nurse will be able to advise you on that & also about Sex ( I was told no Nookie for 6 weeks ) so it really is a case of baby steps until you are fully recovered. I hope I have been able to help you a little today.

Love & Hugs 

Hi Dreamweaver

I'm just over 2 weeks post-op and have to say things haven't been been bad at all. I felt very bloated and was most put out when I got home and discovered I'd put on a bit of weight, thought they'd taken things out, not stuffed them in. Pain faded to discomfort then mild discomfort very quickly. Anti-clotting injections sting for a while but I've injected into the top of my legs after my tummy got too bruised. I did read the guide for injecting this drug and found you can do it either way. Some put an ice cube on the site to freeze before injecting - good idea!

Like GBear I was wrong to bend and stretch, don't think I've damaged any internal stitches but a few twinges pulled me back up. Problem is we have an elderly Jack Russell a young deerhound and an older deerhound who has had an unsuccessful op for a pereneal hernia and needs a lot of attention post pooping.I'm not up to the 5 mile walks I used to go on the the deerhounds but can toddle slowly up the road with the JRT.

In addition my hubby who at 77 is 10 years older than me now needs his other hip replaced and my care (haha) has been somewhat overlooked. I'm not the sort to feel sorry for myself but I want to concentrate on my twinges rather than his aches and pains.

My external stitches have nearly all dropped off and the wounds are all dry and clean.

I did smile when you asked about sex, that for me is a very, very distant memory! What with hubby's left hip playing up from mid 1990's, finally replaced in 2012 and the other one now playing up. In addition I didn't realised my stenosed cervix had contributed to much to a painful sex life. Mind  you, he's always been a wham, bam, thank you mam rather than gentle love making - I'm laughing so uch I'm crying here!

Welcome to this brilliant forum, we're all here to help each other through good times and bad!

Big hugs, Barb

Nothing wrong with big pants - I thank Brigit Jones on a daily basis haha!!

Bxx