Lap chole recovery question

Hi saxlaw

I'm not self employed but wanted to get back to work sooner rather than later (2 weeks from the same GB lap op).

My consultant nearly had kittens when I told her my plans! She explained that as I was an emergency admission and having just recovered from a potentially life threatening condition I may want to look at 4 weeks and up to six! have a fairly sedentary job but even so I could still feel jarring in my stomach after three weeks when stretching so I basically heeded expert opinion and took the time out. I know everybody's different but I feel as fit as a butchers dog and lost over two stone and I haven't looked back. You may feel like I originally did after two weeks but is it worth the grief if god forbid, you get any complications?

I hope everything goes ok for you.

Hello Saxlaw! I can tell you that I had my surgery laproscopically and went home and went to bed. I live alone also. I just rested and took 3 weeks off work. I had a job that required some heavy pushing, running a machine, lot of walking, and some bending. That is why my doc had me out for 3 weeks. I did fine by myself, but I have a twin that lived a mile from me that kept check on me. I did not lift or pull or do really anything for over a week. You will get tired quickly. Playing the sax (which I love!) may take you 4 weeks.The main thing will be your diet and possibly diarrhea when you do eat. Taking time to heal properly is very important. A desk job should not be any problem if you are a strong person. Good luck to you and nice talking to you!!

Hi there saxlaw 

I recently had my gb removed 12/12/14 and only now am I starting to get back to normal,I couldn't move properly for at least 48 hours,my hubby had to sleep downstairs so he didn't knock me when sleeping and several times during night I had to txt him as I needed help getting out of bed to use the bathroom as I struggled using my stomach muscles to help me up.

after 3 days of codine every 4 hours and a week of extra strong ibuprofen I was walking around unaided but feeling sorry for myself as I couldn't get back to doing my normal routine 

husband took me out shopping and slipped but laned on my knees so they took the fall but all ok 

so now 4 weeks on I am doing very well but NOT back at work yet as I am a house keeper in a hotel and it's quite strenuous and I can still feel pulling every now and then 

my advice to you is take each day as it comes and don't Rush your recovery as you need to heal fully before returning to work 

and as for playing the sax then that's also in your own time as well 

please be careful and try have someone around for at least 48 hours if possible

hope this this 

good luck to you x

Hi saxlaw

the reality is you will soon find out whether you can work or not ... And everybody is different . I was full time carer to my mum and I placed her in a nursing home for 10 days . I managed to look after her 10 days after my operation ? But sweeping floors mopping etc I soon found out I couldn't do it for 6 weeks I ached so much afterward.. So I would say 2 weeks and then play it by ear.. But even with your abdominal muscles being weak you will feel so so much better having that rotten gall bladder removed ...

i do callanetic exercises abdominal exercises and I wasn't strong enough to do them for 12 weeks ... So maybe similar with the sax... 

Hope it goes well x

Hi there I had keyhole surgery to remove my gallbladder on 29\12\14 and I returned to work today. I work mostly in an office so I don't have any strenuous work to do. I was sore for several days after surgery but nothing that regular pain killers couldn't help. After the first week i was able to go out and about alone and walked without any discomfort. Everyone is different so I would say just listen to what your body is telling you. Good luck with your surgery and recovery.

thanks for the input everyone.  Luckily myboss has made it clear that I am to listen to my doctor, including as far as returning to work. Theres some stuff I can do from home too, which may be an option. 

Luckily I live reasonably near the hospital and near a fire/ambulance company if it comes to it. 

Usually I heal quickly so we'll see.  I

Your sax playing needs to wait for you to recover.

You should have some with you at least 48 hours. You will be hurting and cooking and stuff will be to hard.

People recover at different ways. I had my surgery Nov. 11 felt better by Dec 8. But over did it and was hurting again. I was better by Christmas.

Walking is hard at first. Walk around the house every day. Drink a lot of water. Low fat diet. No dairies. Skim milk is fine.

Love the lol that your a lawyer part. I'm a stay home mom and I couldn't do much around the house. Bending hurts and mirth stuff is a no no. You can get a hernia so don't rush or push it.

Your are having your surgery today. I hope it went well. Any questions just ask.

Lori

Hope your operation went well and you are feeling better. My husband was away when I had mine and because of the distance they kept me overnight, but then when my sister-in-law picked me up the next morning, I went home and was on my own - I had no problems.

I had my operation yesterday as well. Feeling good. I have to take painkillers but it's ok. Thanks to anesthesiologist that I voke up not being sick nor in pain. I am at home already but cannot lift anything and my 1 year old doesn't understand that. Thats why my mum came to take care of grandsons. Everyone is different and you will feel when it is safe to return to work.

Hey everyone- thanks for all the feedback.  Surgery went fine- took about an hour, apparently.  At hospital at 8, in surgey at 9:15, home by 4 [and that as delayed by issues getting meds at the hospital pharmacy).  Ended up stayin at my parents for 26 hours or so.  Main iniitial issue was the sore throat, though that seems to have cleared up.  Took vicodin the first few days- Advil has been enough today so far.  

As to the whole sax thing- I was just curious if anyone had experience wth it.  My current plan is to return to rehearsal (we meet once a week) on 2/5, assuming the doc is ok with it.