1 week post op and feel I am not progressing as I want

Firstly Polly I really wouldn't worry about exercises this early on, you need to focus on simply getting through the day. It is very early stages for you...and resting, sleeping, trying to eat and doing any exercises in bed whilst lying down is probably your best bet.

I was the same re allergic to morphine (and was given too much in hospital) so I know just how ghastly you are feeling, but it will settle down in time. I took paracetamol religiously and it builds up in the system and was actually enough for me to manage with the pain, it is suprisingly effective when taken every four hours. What are you taking now?

The low blood pressure is a problem, do make sure you keep someone with you at all times when using the stairs until it has stablised. Also when using the loo etc if you can, because it does sometimes cause fainting out of the blue.

In terms of your daughter's wedding it is a long way off, you will be so much better by then I promise. Even in the next week or two you will feel so much better than you do now. You WILL definitely be at the wedding, and although not dancing on tables all night, you will be feeling ready to enjoy a wonderful family occasion by then....really you will, five weeks is a long time to heal. Please do not rush your recovery. It will in the end backfire, because your body needs love and care and rest - okay. Rest, small leg raises, keep your legs moving, do everything you can without feeling like you are going to pass out, and no more pressure on yourself.....you need to be super kind to yourself for a little while longer yet.

Try water melon and fruit juices, drink lots of water and try the sachets which will replace your minerals and salts, these will be really good for you.

Promise not to think or talk about the wedding for at least another four weeks - and remember this is a major operation, you have been blessed to come out all fixed, and you will come through this patch, every day you will feel brighter and better, one day at time....

Big hugs. We all feel like you at some point - and we all get through it, you will too. Okay - take good care x

I was taking morphine before my surgery and when i first started i was getting sickness, dizziness, headaches and shaking so bad i could hardly stand. Eventually these effects wore off. I assume it was hecause my body wasnt used to it.

Also dont push yourself. Just because others can at 1 weeks doesnt mean you can. Im just over 2 weeks post op and im non weightbaring and so on. I cant even lift up my own leg. Dont push your body to do stuff it cannot handle. It will only make matters worse.

Your GP is right. You need to sort out your meds and get rest. You've just had a huge operation, and a bit of walking every day is enough. The blues is a normal knock-on effect of such huge trauma to the body. Cry, let it out. In 5 weeks' time you'll feel like a different person, I promise. You won't be dancing on the tables yet, but you'll be a lot stronger. The first 2-3 weeks are the worst and after that you recover by leaps and bounds

Pollute so sorry for all your going through I had very low blood pressure following the surgery from the spinal I was give so they monitored me while in the hospital now back to normal on no. I just had six week post op visit because of my concerns about the pain and aching in the thigh and leg and groin are all are signs of healing I give it a few weeks you will feel better every day😊My daughter is also getting married and that was a big concern to me since I am a bridesmaid in her wedding but the surgeon has said I will be good for the wedding so think positive and I know that's. It easy at this stage. I'm here if you need anything hun

It's just your first week, the first two are the worst, but you have been pulled, pushed, twisted and cut, hammered, sawed it takes time but you will get there.  Emotions do take over, just let them go don't bottle them up, when it's your daughters wedding, you will be crying tears of happiness and you will feel much better.

Don't try to do too much at the moment when you have low blood pressure, don't want you fainting.

Everyone heals at different rates and a lot depends on the way they cut you too.

Take care

Lynn xx

Hi Polly, although I was not allergic to the opiates, they made me feel really sick and gave me horrible nightmares so I stopped taking them and stuck to paracetamol and anti inflammatories and just tried to rest as much as possible.

Everyone I have spoken to since my operation 9 weeks ago (doctor, physiotherapists, other hippies) have all emphasised that the first 6 weeks are all about healing. Rest, rest and more rest. Sleep whenever possible and try to eat well, including lots of lean protein and then rest some more. Of course you need to move about a bit but don't start putting pressure on yourself to exercise as this will come later.

As for your daughter's wedding, you will be well enough by then to enjoy the day. You may tire a bit mor easily and need to take a couple of props with you (like a crutch or 2 and a foam cushion to sit on) and not be able to wear high heels but none of that will matter. Despite getting a femoral fracture during my hip surgery surgery which is slowing down my recovery (I was non weight-bearing for the first 6 weeks) I managed to spend the whole day at my daughter's first Communion at 7 weeks post op. Yes I was on crutches and had to sit in a chair instead of a pew in Church and my shoes weren't the most glamorous but I had a lovely day with my family and that's all that matters.

1 week is very early in your recovery and in another week or 2 you will be feeling a lot better. The worst is definitely behind you!