another newby

[jtaver352]

I am new here and have found the posts sincere, informative, and insightful. I am scheduled for surgery on May 22 as an altruistic donor. I would like to know if anyone who has undergone this procedure had a TAP block placed post-op for pain control? Also, when can I get back to doing exercises related to core strength, like yoga or pilates? Thank you for inspiration and courage.

[LivindnrRhondaB]

I’m A recent donor February 20, 2018

Yes I had the block after the surgery.. it only last a few days.

It’s going to take at least 6 weeks.. don’t push exercise, it took me 8 weeks before I started walking again and I could definitely feel my core

Your body will tell you when it’s tired so you rest… Drink lots of water… And you’ll be just fine

[AMHulstine]

Hi! I donated 2/6/18, I did not have a block after surgery, but my pain was most intense for the first 72 hours, by day 5 I was just taking Tylenol.

I didn’t start exercising until 8 weeks post-op. My transplant center feels strongly that you shouldn’t do yoga, Pilates, or other very core engaging work outs for about 6 mos post-op. This is hard for me, I usually prefer lifting and hiit workouts, so doing just cardio was a switch. I’ve decided to train for a 1/2 marathon to keep it interesting.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!

Ann-Marie

[jtaver352 in reply to AMHulstine]

After I get the walking thing down pat....what else where you able to do post-op?

[AMHulstine in reply to jtaver352]

I started running again. I'm slowly building up miles, but I go out 3 times a week. I've been adding in more upper body work outs, and I'm actually in the process of listing my house for sale, so I've been painting and doing all sorts of cleaning and things around my house. I think it depends on your transplant center and your incision. One of the biggest challenges with my incision is that I have adhesions, they aren't dangerous to me but too much twisting or core work bothers me because it pulls.

[SoniaBrummer]

Hi! Wow it is just a few days away! You are doing an amazing thing, and this is going to be one of the biggest days of your life! You're going to be someone's hero.

I am also a nondirect, Oct 2009. I did not have a TAP block. I think I went from morphine to dilaudid the day of the surgery. Hard to remember now. I do remember that the dilaudid was not working and was slowing my breathing so we switched, might have gone to vicodin. I was on the prescriptions for about 4 days, then I think I only took them at night for a couple more days. You move to tylenol pretty quick. Mostly because you are constipated (we can speak freely here, right? ) and you don't go #2 for like a week. The sooner you get off the meds, the better. And you're a healthy person, not a sick one, so you really do heal up fast. I remember sleeping A LOT. 10-12 hour nights plus a couple naps a day for the first week or so.

Your transplant coordinator should be telling you a lot of stuff about activities and exercise. Push them to tell you more if they have not been. I think I had 6-8 weeks of not lifting more than 10lbs. You need to arrange help with your groceries and laundry. I was walking a lot and I don't think I started gentle yoga until maybe 3 months and running again after 4 or 5 months.

I met someone who didn't follow the rules and they had a hernia and second surgery. Don't push it.

Get ready for lots of long walks this summer!

[Kevinbalboa]

Hope you get great results, I just started dialysis

[Happydonor]

Hi. I just read all of the replies below and concur with all of them. Pain subsides very quickly and I remember switching to Tylenol within 4 days post surgery. I was surprised too by the doctor's instructions to avoid any sort of core exercising for a few months. I behaved and followed the instructions and never had an issue. It was 7 years ago for me but I seem to recall resuming weight training 4 +/- months post surgery. Definitely don't start too soon.....just not worth it. I have no restraints today and feel as good as ever.

Thank you for being a donor and an altruistic one at that!! Best wishes and let us know how you make out after you return home from surgery.........you are doing a great thing!!

[jtaver352]

Thank you for all your advice and kind words. I am a bit nervous, but have never doubted my decision to make a difference in someone’s life.

[SoniaBrummer]

Tomorrow is your big day!!

Don't fear the light that is within you.

You are amazing!

[KelliC_NKF]

Best wishes for your surgery tomorrow! What a wonderful gift!

[Hidden]

Thank you for being a living donor! I did not use that method of pain management. As every person heals differently, there is no definite answer about when you can resume your exercise plan. Your healthcare team will best be able to help you with that. I just had my two year post donation exam, and I can tell you that I still feel great. Good luck and thank you!

[maryalraines NKF Ambassador]

How wonderful. I’m assuming you are transplanted by the date. My pain was so small that they used pain medication just while I was in the hospital and sent me home with an Rx but I never took it; just extra strength Tylenol is all I ever needed post transplant. They gave me a set of exercises to do for the first several weeks that stretched me in necessary areas. Then, they told me to walk. Walking seemed to be just enough exercise and I walked for longer periods as I got stronger. At 3 weeks I was great and could do most normal activities that didn’t involve heavy lifting.

Congrats enjoy your new life. I had an altruistic donor as well that I had the good fortune to meet & have become friends.

[SoniaBrummer]

I've been thinking of you! I hope the surgery went well.

Did you set up a CaringBridge site? My only regret with my surgery was not keeping some kind of journal. I wish I could look back on that recovery journey. My memory is not good enough to remember all the interesting details. Your body changes every day and it is amazing!

You are probably getting ready to go home soon. Maybe today? Tomorrow?

[jtaver352 in reply to SoniaBrummer]

What is a caringbridge site? My biggest issue has been with shoulder and flank pain that I assume is related to gas. I went home yesterday and am trying to get up and walk 4-5 times a day. I am staying with my daughter in NYC... so there is no lack of places to walk to

[marcyc NKF Ambassador NKF Peer Mentor in reply to jtaver352]

A caringbridge site is a web app. Was first set up for cancer patients but now is used by people who may want to share updates about their illness or treatment. Helps to fend off the overwhelming amount of inquiries about how you are doing. Lots of water and walking will help with the discomfort. Best of luck.

[SoniaBrummer in reply to jtaver352]

I remember that shoulder pain - it was awful! And no one warned me about it coming, so it really took me by surprise. Agreed, lots of water and you're doing great with the walking. Nice work!! I know the walks can be pretty tough sometimes.

Two small corrections about CaringBridge. It is a website (they have an app too, but the browser version is way better.)

It was first set up by their founder for her friend's premature baby and continues to be used for anyone on a health journey. Cancer patients use it frequently, along with people with longer journeys. But it can be used for short health journeys too.

Your loved ones can "follow" it and hear how your recovering is going without overwhelming you with calls, texts, and emails. They have a lot of privacy options and no ads, so that makes it different from facebook and other social media. It is a centralized place for your journey. you can journal about any aspect you like, and when you are fully recovered you can download it into a PDF as a keepsake. That keepsake part is the part that I really wish I had.

caringbridge.org/friend/

[jtaver352]

The pain seems to be increasing in intensity ... is this normal?

[Happydonor in reply to jtaver352]

Jtaver352 -- I do not recall having increasing pain during my recovery. My recovery was gradual with less and less pain. Be certain to not overdo your movements as that could be the cause of your discomfort. I hope you begin to feel more comfortable right away.

[SoniaBrummer in reply to jtaver352]

I also do not remember pain increasing. Only slowly decreasing.

I agree with Happydonor. If you are pushing it with the walks you might be having more abdominal pain. I remember my first few days of walking were very short. Like up and down hallways and that was about it. By my second week I could go outside and go around the block and start going longer. Everyone is different.

If you are still feeling increasing pain at this point, I'd call your transplant coordinator to see if they want you to come in. Depending on where your pain is it may or may not be normal.

I hope this helps! Feel better!