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4 days out

Posted , 13 users are following.

JoyfulTHR
JoyfulTHR

So I've been home going on 2 days, how much time am I suppose to be up and sitting vs laying in bed? Thanks you and I'm enjoying this chat site. No one can really know what this is like unless they've had one.

1 like, 16 replies

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  • julia77343
    julia77343 JoyfulTHR

    Posted

    Hello Chick, It's just over 2 weeks since my op, and I'm still pondering this question, rest versus exercise. There seems to be no simple answer. you have to go with what your body is telling you I think. All I can say is that you are at the worst stage right now, and it will get a lot easier over the next couple of weeks. Everyone seems to be healing at a different rate as far as I can tell, so trying to compare your progress with someone else is probably not a good idea. With me it's more of  an emotional roller coaster ride. I hope you feel comfortable relaying your feelings in this forum, there are some great people just waiting to comfort and reasure us. Hope your recovery is a speedy one. warmest wishes Julia. xx
    • linda38528
      linda38528 julia77343

      Posted

      Good answer Julia.

      As Renée would say - be gentle with ourself, listencils to your body and rest when you need to.

      I also believe in committing to the exercises prescribed, getting up regularly and keeping your leg partially elevated whenever feasible. It took me a while 9 to long really) to appreciate how much the swelling will pool to the lowest point so that sitting and standing for extended periods aggravated the situation if not careful - even if it made you feel good (and more normal) to be up.

      Good luck Joyful. I hope you are doing okay the first few weeks are definitely the toughest.

      Hugs.

      L

    • JoyfulTHR
      JoyfulTHR julia77343

      Posted

      Thank you Julia, I agree we all heal at different rates. 🌻
    • JoyfulTHR
      JoyfulTHR linda38528

      Posted

      Thank you Linda, you addressed the swelling perfectly. I'm up and comfortable but notice swelling in ankles. I am doing the exercises. PT will come to my home tomorrow. The only thing I can't do is get into bed on my own and I'm trying a new way today that will hopefully work. I have minimal pain while down but it escalates when I'm up. Walking is easy with walker, just tired. TY again!
  • amit473
    amit473 JoyfulTHR

    Posted

    Hello,

    Hope you are doing well.

    I agree with julia do not compare your recovery with others as its been a week of my THR surgery and i can walk through walker.

    Usually doctor suggest 12 to 14 week bed rest in which segregation is like

    Intial 1 week on bed

    2 week strt walking through walker

    Once your stitches remove then they will discuss with your physiotherapists about your progress and thrn will recommend you cluter.

    Its all about your body how fast it is recovering and also your will power.

    Also i would like to suggest just listen to your doctor and physio do not do any practical from your own.

    Have a speedy recovery

  • sarah1996
    sarah1996 JoyfulTHR

    Posted

    I wasnt allowed to do any physio the first 6 weeks. Iv got my first session on Thursday (ill be 8 weeks)

    I tended to just sit downstairs all day then go to bed at 9pm because for the first few weeks i found it agony being in bed and had to stand up every hour ( my surgeon had to stretch my muscles to adult size) so lying in bed was so difficult for me x

  • lynn66084
    lynn66084 JoyfulTHR

    Posted

    I didn't get my op until 3pm and came back to the ward at 7pm, but next day had to be up and sitting in the chair and walking, so I just carried on with it when I got home.  also had the physio to do in hospital and home. But was told to lieflat on the bed for an hour each afternoon.  I think we are all given different opinions by our docs.
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK JoyfulTHR

    Posted

    Joyful,

    How right- anyone that has not been through THR really does not understand the recovery pains and restrictions at all.  Sadly I went through two recoveries just 10 weeks apart due to the surgeon's error.

    We all like to 'push ourselves' a bit, but be careful not to overdo it.

    All my advice, along with the advice of many others is on my website

    The address of my website is in my personal info here ...

       https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

    and on the moderator's "useful resources" page at

       https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

    Best wishes

    Graham - 🚀💃

  • bonnie37273
    bonnie37273 JoyfulTHR

    Posted

    Im 4 weeks out and I think for the first week I only walked to and from the bathroom .I did more excerise in bed till i got really bad groin pain my dr told me to just walk and leave bed excerise alone for awhile ...Ur body will let u know what it needs good luck to u and happy healing
  • AnnieK
    AnnieK JoyfulTHR

    Posted

    At 4 days out, I think you should be resting by either lying in bed or sitting down with your feet up as much as possible. I would limit walking to only that which is necessary, such as trips to the bathroom or to the table for meals. Major trauma has been done to your bones and soft tissues, and an enormous amount of healing has to go on. The least amount of interference with that is best. Rest, rest, rest, and sleep whenever you can. Good luck!
  • bini31328
    bini31328 JoyfulTHR

    Posted

    Hi Joy 

    - i think the most impirtant thing us everyones different so one size doesn't fit all, depends on past experience too. My first THR - i took 12 weeks off work and spent most of the firat week in bed - my 2nd -and 3rd THR - i was back at work in 6 weeks . For the last two ops , ive had my own rules - get up with partner at 6am , get dressed ( loose baggy clothes) , stay up till evening apart from a 2 hr nap in afternoon ) and go for short walks outside twice a day in first week , building up distance - this time i could do 2 miles , with lots of rest stops by end of week 2 . I think generally little and often is the way to go rather than pushing for distance so corner shop and back x 5 is probably better than pushing yourself. I dont watch daytime tv ( learnt that the first op!) i do do my exercises religiously . I really think it depends how you feel , if you do too much itll hurt/ youll be tired. If you do too little you may lose the motivation , but there's no right or wrong answer re your question . Youve got that horrible op over and done with so listen to your body , it will tell you whats ok and whats not . Best wishes for it all and big hug xxxx

    • linda38528
      linda38528 bini31328

      Posted

      Thanks Bini. I will adopt this philosophy fory next operation - it resonates with my growing sense of lessons learned from THR#1.

      I might add that starting with exercises before leaving bed is good for me - ensures that I get them underway and helps release pain and cramping that developed over night. I hope weather will still be good for my next operation as last winter was really not conducive to walking outside - too much ice and boots were a real problem due to swelling.

    • linda38528
      linda38528

      Posted

      PS - any after effects from your trip back and being back at work? I hope you are doing well. I appreciate all your sage advice to people - very grounded but sympathetic and always respectful.
    • bini31328
      bini31328 linda38528

      Posted

      Ah, thanks Linda X

      No , I got over the jetlag and my swollen ankles and feet had gone down a few days later - was back at work last Wednesday and all has been fine - I can feel I am better than I was as I'm finding things easier physically - was even accused of skipping down the corridor the other day ! But yes have had a few comments on how much better I'm walking now than my pre op 'lurch' so even the patients and families can see I'm better than I was which is encouraging xxx

  • noplaybarbie
    noplaybarbie JoyfulTHR

    Posted

    Good luck on your journey JoyfulTHR...yours is so new! I don't think I had it in me at 4 days to even turn my computer on. For me the first week was the worst, second week a little better but still not good. Tomorrow will be 3 weeks for me and I am finally starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Wishing you well....Barb
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