Unfit post op 62yrold lady

[Jtsk]

Hi I have undergone major gynae surgery three weeks ago having had a midline incision. I am moving around but feel so tired. I have not slept hardly since op. What exercises can I do and is swimming allowed. Is it normal for sneezing and coughing to cause discomfort and feel like your insides lower abdomen is gonna fall out?

[Jillem]

I am 6 weeks on from major surgery , I still get tired but improving slowly . I started with walking which was hard initially 10 minutes and that was enough for me . but went for an hour a few days ago I was tired after but if you build it up slowly it should help . I was told the tiredness can remain for some time but will gradually improve .

I had a nasty post op cough and I found if I held the area where the incision is that eased pressure holding a cushion or towel over the area can help as well when sneezing /coughing . Laughing had the same effect with me in the first few days watching something funny on tv really hurt unless I did the above !

I had a planned spa day around 3 weeks post op my consultant was fine with me swimming . I think if everything is healing up ok then swimming is good gentle exercise . I just had a small clean separate towel in the first few weeks to make sure the incision area was completely clean and dry ( used same for shower/bath)

Things do improve but it all takes time .

[Shelly92]

I think after major surgery where your insides have been turned inside out upside down then removed it is normal to take weeks to get back to where you were .

Surgery takes a lot out of people and women are to damn hard on themselves.

We expect to go thru everything and anything and just jump right up and start working like a slave

Please remember you are so very important and take as long as you need to fully recover .

If you try and push it you will end up causing your recovery to take even longer

[applebird]

Forget about exercise for some time - probably the guts of 3-4 months (8wks at least with open surgery). The most you should be doing is gentle walking and only to get from a to b or if say you're up to going out for a few hours.

Yes the pain with sneezing and coughing is normal with a major surgery. You won't feel better overnight. Rest as much as you can and don't push yourself or recovery will be much longer. Also it sounds like you need better pain meds. You should be on at least 8/500 co-coda mol if not 30/500 or tramadol plus an anti-inflammatory like diclofenac if you can tolerate it. Lactulose would also be wise with the opiates.

Hope you feel better sooner than later.

Take it easy.