6 weeks post op physio check up

[Starry]

I had my check up appointment today with a physiotherapist. It was encouraging but also pretty emotional at times.

She spent a good hour with me overall, had pre read my op notes and knew all the details. She went through my bowel movements and bladder and said they were both doing really well. Then we went through my physical strength and mobility. I thought I would be behind as I am so slow still, not bendy and needing to siesta most days. But she said I am roughly where she'd expect after such " extensive" surgery. We queried the word (it must have been in the hospital notes) and she said Mr Morris very rarely used the word "extensive" but had done in my case, and it was him rather than the colorectal surgeon who's done most of the work. Apparently at some point soon my vaginal stitches will start to emerge so that will be a marker and may be why I am getting pain in my RHS that is newish.

She said 6 weeks is usually a turning point for starting to feel a bit better and 3 months typically for near full recovery.

We talked about returning to work and she said from 8-12 weeks typically (I was signed for a minimum 6 weeks initially and extended by 2) and suggested it may be worth taking the full 3 months and building up stamina.

She also took me through some pelvic exercises that I can start to do. I can share photos from the brochure if anyone is interested.

It made me quite emotional to think that this is on track and as expected. My mum's tortoise could probably overtake me! It must have been serious. Each time I see someone medical I keep having to reappraise just how big this op was, I really hadn't fully comprehended or taken in how extensive and major it's apparently been.

I guess we tend to minimise things to get through them. Overall a positive, encouraging day and it has cheered hubby up no end. I think we both dearly needed to see some green shoots and have some hope. So it came at a good time.

[Heloo85]

I think the biggest thing is we're left with 4 tiny cuts. I think thats why a lot of people seem to think we're faking it! A gp sat my now ex partner down and explained that i needed extensive surgery because i have severe disease (after he mentioned my colonoscopy was clear) and explained that endo and adhesions attack the bowel from the outside! Nice to know he thought i was faking it, and im so glad the locum GP popped him in his place!

So glad youre feeling better and hopefully your surgery is the end of it at best, or you get a long relief. But yes, dont push yourself. I did and now regret it! Xx