Hi,
has anybody received a planned medical recovery schedule? Things suggested that you might be able to do in week 3,4,5 post surgery.
i was told to do nothing but rest and gentle exercise- walk- for first two weeks. Which I've done now moving forward to week 3 I was wondering if that information is available, not found anything on line, but found you all. Greatfull for any info x
Hi Lesley
I am 2 weeks post op and did not receive any planned medical recovery schedule but wish I had. I was lucky enough to have a straightforward vaginal hysterectomy which went well and I had no pain, discomfort or tiredness when I left hospital. I also had almost no bleeding. The only advice I had was about not lifting and taking it easy. I was told I would know when I was overdoing it. However, I felt so well in the first week that I basically thought I could return to normal provided I avoided lifting, which I have done. However, within the last few days I have obviously overdone things as I have had considerably bleeding. I spent yesterday in bed and this morning and fortunately the bleeding has stopped but I do wish I had been given a much more detailed list of things to avoid - even slight bending, stretching, twisting seems to be a complete no-no.
It seems such an obvious thing to give patients a detailed recovery schedule to follow in order to avoid undoing the good work done by the surgeon!!
If you find anything, please let us know where to get it!
Thanks and good luck with your recovery.
Sharon x
Hi Lesley, I read a recovery guide on another hysterectomy forum, I will see if I can find it and post it for you.
Thanks for link found it interesting, thought it was for someone who had had a zip job!
I must admit was told to rest but not lying down, unless needed to. As there was a history of a clot post op (my mum) I was up and walking frequently around the house.
But as far as I'm aware pushing the vacuum cleaner is one of the last things to do and that poss beyond 6 weeks.
But the making tea was very helpful as a guide.
Thanks for the info
Hi Sharon
Mine was total everything gone and I too had a really good recovery up to date.
As said I was told to do nothing rest and gently walk about the house, which up to now I've done had no real bleeding just occasional pinkness after wiping after peeing which I hope is good. A Registra did mention bleeding could start later when I asked if I didn't have any bleeding would I get any.
I started taking a short walk last week and have built it up to the local shops about 5 mins away.
For my 3rd week live close to the underground so I'm taking a walk to the station sitting on station for train sitting on train to shops and going for a coffee in m&s then return. Will start to make a coffee.
It's hard to work out what's best to do as by week 6 you could be back at work but full recovery will take up to 6 months!
Hope your recovery is back on track take it easy, got a reply with a guide from 2raggydoll if I can attach it I'll send it it has a few good points but I'm wary about house cleaning in the first 6 weeks and certainly not hoovering not poss until 6 months. But if I get anything else I'll send it on
Lesley
Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the link as it is posted further down this discussion.
Hi Raggydoll
Many thanks for this recovery plan - it's so straighforward. Why oh why is this not standard issue by hospitals when they discharge hysterectomy patients. If I had been given this I would not have done half the things I was doing in the first week!!
xx
Don't take it as gospel use it with logic, as I have a bit of a guide, I'm not sure about doing any housework in first 6 weeks, to my way of thinking it will still be there in 6 weeks so don't push anything until the later weeks or wait till after, but the peeling of veg and cups of tea and some light walking good stuff.
Lesley
Hi Lesley. I ve been for my pre op today, surgery next week, and was given a recovery plan for the first three days. Maybe I ll get an extended one on discharge. I ll let you know. Claire
I must admit I have not been doing much sitting about or laying on the bed, I'm worried about getting blood clots. The only time I did that was for the first 2 days out of hospital. I'm on day 13 now and Ive been going out for daily walks with my dog from day 5, done some light house work and even walked around the shops at the weekend...I was only out for about an hour, but luckily it didn't do me any harm. I am being careful not to lift or carry anything heavy and I'm not touching the hoover for another 3 weeks or so (even though its doing my head in not being able to do it!)
Claire
Hope it all goes well for you, I was very fortunate no pain, just tender bits.
Look forward to it if you get a longer plan, thanks for answering
Lesley x
You sound like a go getter, please don't be tempted with the Hoover til you have your 6 week check and ask them when you can. I know that's one of the last things you can do along with the heavy lifting which is not till 6 months.
When you say take the dog out is that with someone else or just you and the dog? Be careful you'd be surprised how much strain you could be putting on your tum area.
I was walking about the house every hour once I got home to keep moving as a preventing measure agains DVT.
As a thought 30-40 years ago hysterectomy stay in hospital was 2 weeks and you did nothing but walk about. Nowadays hospital stays are brief because of cost and limiting your chance of getting a bug. But recovery is still similar.
So really taking it easy and gentle are important for the first weeks.
They allow people back to work after 6 weeks if you have a light job but if you have a job where lifting carework involved it's 12 weeks, that's me.
I like structure, even if I don't like it when I get it but I do know if you rush the early weeks it could delay your full recovery, so try to take it easy, temper your urges to do it all and get back to"normal" and although it may seem an age now looking back in 6 months in full health will be worth it xx
I take the dog out on my own, I try to be careful. I don't do being looked after very well, which is why Ive been up and about fending for myself as soon as I could. My mom had a hysterectomy 30 years ago, she was in hospital 2 weeks then on bed rest for another month. I was chatting to the ward sister when I was being discharged the day after my surgery, she thinks its too soon to be discharge the next day due to it being major surgery, and the only reason they shove you out the door quickly is because of the lack of beds. The ward I was on has gone from 64 beds down to just 22 But I do think I'm better off at home, so I'm not complaining!
Hi Lesley
I haven't had my op yet, cancelled out by the dreaded norovirus invading the hospital! But my Specialist Nurse at my pre-op gave me the following lists, hope it might be useful for you.
Week 1 - Do not hunch, stand up styraight. No household tasks at all. Lie on the bed as much as possible, sleep when you need to. Do kegel exercises. Walk around the house 2 -3 times daily. Lie down, rather than sit, sit, rather than stand.
Week 2 - Lie on the bed as necessary. Rest for at least 2 hours a day. Avoid long periods of sitting or standing. Help with washing up/drying, sitting down if possible. Sit down to prepare veg. Daily walk outside 10 mins per day. Walk around the house 2 - 3 times including stairs once. Only boil enough water for one mug in a kettle.
Week 3 - increase your walking by 2 mins daily. Try using the stairs 2 - 3 times daily. Light shopping in the immediate area. Boil enough water for 2 mugs in settle. If you any any pain, stop immediately.
Week 4 - Start walking further, up to 20 mins, twice a day. Dusting.
Week 5 - 6 - Light housework, bed making but not changing the duvet.
Week 6 - 7 possibly hoovering, depending on recovery.
Hope this helps Lesley.
Warmest Wishes
Jacqui
Hi Jacqui
Thanks for that, received the same from 2raggydoll are you in the u.k? Just a bit worried about the hoovering so early thought that was much much later. Wasn't told to lay down, but have rested and gently walked and now walking up the road, so am getting there.
Good luck to you
Lesley x
Hi Lesley
Yes everyone has told me don't touch the hoover. So I got a Gtech sweeper, which weighs about 2.5 lbs so at least I can make the place look a bit decent. My husband is quite poorly so won't be able to hoover.
Yes I'm in England, Norfolk. Isn't everyone wonderful on this site, they all try to help as much as possible. It is certainly a very good support site.
Take care
Jacqui
Yes it is only found it today myself.
My friends son lives in Norfolk, and she's staying in Cromer the next few days having a break.
Hope your Hubby is feeling better soon
Take extra good care of yourself x
Hi both would you mind sending me the link please. I am day 11 and struggling xxx
Sorry both didn't see the link underneath.
I have just re read my replies...I don't know where I got day 13 from because I'm now on day 21 surgery and hormones have pickled my memory! Yes I'm in the UK. Maybe I will leave the hoovering a bit longer?