Compression stockings

Hi Vegemum, the main thing is to make sure they give you the right size! My post hysteroscopy ones tuned out to be a bit tight so for my hysterectomy I asked them to make sure they were big enough - the next size up. I also asked for a second pair so that I’d have a spare pair for when one pair was being washed. I had absolutely no issue with putting them on and off post op, and also had absolutely no issue generally with “bending and pulling”. What is it that has made you worry about bending and pulling? 

Thanks, I assumed it could be harmful, like lifting. I really struggled with pulling them on and off last time.  I kept the ones they gave me before, and was lucky that I had three pairs. I'm probably over thinking everything. I'm sure the nurses post op will be able to explain the best way to put them on and off. Did you have to do the blood thinner injections? I'm hoping it will be possible for me to do them in the stomach, like last time. It was unpleasant, but definitely manageable.

Lifting heavy saucepans, trays of food, vacuum cleaner etc isn’t a good idea - post op I avoided anything heavier than a mug of tea for the first 2-3 weeks. I found a little bending fine, just not repeated and long bending. The morning after my op I bent to get things from my case and also bent to put my shoes on which was fine. I think it’s really about being sensible and listening to your body. Re the blood thinner injections, I actually decided to refuse them and focussed instead on getting mobile. I’m quite an active person and went for a 5 min walk as soon as I got home from hospital and then walked twice a day after that. I wore my Norah Batty stockings for two weeks after that, just taking them off for an hour a day and overnight. When in bed awake and when sitting in the day with my feet up, I’d bend and straighten my legs every half hour and also twiddled my ankles. I was fortunate enough to get my results and check up two weeks post op, and the consultant told me then that I was so active that I didn’t need to wear the stockings any more, which I was very glad about. Some people need to have the injections and I’m not trying to talk anyone out of having them, but for me it was the right thing to refuse them.

Thanks. I think I will definitely need the injections as I have limited mobility due to severe arthritis in both knees and hips. I can do the leg exercises though, and will try to move about as much as possible.