First stage recovery from repair op

At this stage the key is to do as little as you can and rest all times you do not need to be doing things.

I understand you obviously will need to look after your kids to some extent but where they can help let them do so. My 8 year old has been doing all the carrying washing up and down stairs for example and any heavy pots and pans they have been lifting. Try and plan meals that don't require you to do things like straining veg. It is summer so you can give them salad for example which won't require anything heavy lifting.

Get all your shopping delivered and get the delivery guy to unpack onto the table for you. Cold stuff you can put away, the rest can wait for someone else to do it.

House work leave for now. Think back to when you had newborns at home, the house work is always the thing to go, it is like that again now for a while. It isn't for ever but your recovery will benefit in the long term.

At this stage some pain and discomcort is normal. I think I am now about 10 weeks post op. I have no pain but still have an uncomfortable feeling now and again.

As to whether you have done any damage it is hard to say. If you have been leaving the lifting then I doubt it but your recovery will be all the quicker the less you are able to do now. It is the most frustrating thing in the world and I really did not appreciate how long it would take but rest now will help you have a speedier recovery overall.

Good luck!

It's unlikely you've damaged the repair so soon.

But it is way too soon to be doing things like laundry, it's only a week, and ideally you should be doing nothing at thi stage apart from putting your feet up and resting.

Lift nothing heavier than a cup of tea for the first two weeks, you will be very swollen and it takes weeks for the healing process.

Is it possible that your partner could cook the meals during the time he's at home, then you can just reheat them, and can you leave the washing up for him to do.

It's really important to rest at this stage, you really don't want to have the repair done again.

Take your painkillers, you need them. if you are in pain you won't recover as quickly.

Look at the pinned post at the top of the forum page, especially the Teeside advice on what you should do and at what stage.

It is very informative, and you can keep referring to it as the weeks go by.

please look after yourself, you are the important person at home at this stage.x.

Hi Amana, I am nearly 8 weeks onnow and I still worry all the time if I have done damage, I went to the ward last week to get checked and she isn't sure at the moment if I have or not but has told me to still be careful and will check me at 3 months.You are very early stages at the moment and should be doing virtually nothing other than resting.Try not to worry, it seems we all have done that on here, if you are really worried, gives the ward nurses a ring. If Matron was still here (hopefully she may come back) she would say it is very unlikely that you have done any damage. No Lifting, hoovering, ironong etc etc rest and take pain killers if you need them, because pain hampers recovery. If you follow the rules about no lifting, trying not to get constipated and lots of rest, you will be fine. Good luck, hugs xxxx

After my anterior repair I did nothing for 4 weeks..just shower, toiket and back on the sofa. I did do walks around the garden.

I think you are doing way to much at this stage.the first 6weeks are crucial. You don't fully heal until at least 12weeks..

Please rest more otherwise you will be thinking omg have I done something I shouldn't of.. Only know at 9 weeks am I carrying very light laundry, and I mean light.

Take it easy and good luck.☺

Hi I had an anterior repair on the 25/5 and had bowel/bladder issues didn't get out till the 31/5 and like you had been doing light household chores. Am also worried as I can still feel a slight bulge.  Have been told am not due to see the consultant again till the three month mark!!   My problem is incontinence am off to see continence nurse today.  Like the ladies on this forum are telling you it's early days and you body will in no uncertain terms let you know when enough is enough.  I had no idea how long this op took to recover from because you cannot see a scar you feel as though you are ok to push on but we need to just learn to cut ourselves some slack rest often keep mobile and let time do the rest.  Best wishes for a speedy recovery this site is great lots of practical advise which we all crave 

You are unlikely to have damaged the repair this soon but do need to do as little as you can.  I managed my laundry from the beginning by using a large supermarket "bag for life" as a laundry bag.  I lifted each dirty item individually and put it in the bag then waited until someone else was around to carry it to the machine, then loaded and unloaded the same way.  Again, wait for someone else to carry it to where you will be drying it (unless you have a tumble drier).  After about 3 weeks I carried it downstairs bit by bit and carried it (wet) to the airer in very small amounts.  Your girls could help carry some items.  For cooking, I filled a saucepan bit by bit with a mug and drained pasta and veg with a slotted spoon, waiting for someone else to empty the pan later.  Are your girls old enough to do a bit in the kitchen like washing up a few items or putting them away?

Hi Amanda I'm 5 week post op. In the first 2 weeks I wondered if I'd done damage was on the phone to the Dr just for reassurance. She explained how swollen I would be and line everyone on this forum she told me to rest and listen to my body. It's hard when you see jobs that need doing, but it is the answer. I'm having to reinstall back on my own exercise (which was only walking) because I was suffering with back ache. The ladies on this forum gave me some excellent common sense advice, which I'm following and feeling better.

Listen to your bodies needs.

Thanks everyone! I am finding it hard to not do things...there seem to be lots of offers of help but not many actually materialise...I'm rubbish at asking...

On a slightly different note...I haven't been given a follow up appmt, in fact it wasn't mentioned. Should I expect one?

Thank you so much to everyone - I don't like talking about this at home and it's so reassuring to have people on here!

x