What your doctor didn’t tell you….

Posted , 18 users are following.

Or a light hearted look at post op issues:

1.       You will pee for England (or insert your country here) for at least a week.  Be prepared cos you just won’t be able to control yourself.  If you don’t have a loo near your bedroom, invest in a bucket and pretend you’re glamping.

2.       You will only have the attention span of a gnat.  If you had planned on catching up on reading and/or all those box sets, forget it.  As soon as you start concentrating on that book or the first episode of the box set, you will be asleep.

3.       Be prepared to fall asleep at any point during the day.  At night you won’t be able to get to sleep at all.

4.       Get used to the fact that you’ll have to (not) sleep on your back.  I know very few people who actually sleep on their back by choice.  It is a really uncomfortable position and will result in getting backache after a few hours.

5.       Make sure you have short toenails, especially on the big toes as the pressure from any bedclothes will hurt toes and your heels.

6.       Compression socks – so sexy and comfortable – not.  They are an essential fashion accessory for 6 weeks for all hippies.  Surely they must be classified as a form of torture!

7.       Your operated leg will feel like it weighs a ton for the first week.  It also feels like it doesn’t belong to you. It will get better.

8.       Don’t tell your spouse/family/friends about your op in detail.  They really aren’t that interested and it would be nice if family/friends visited more than once.  Best to just post on to this forum.

9.       Don’t believe the adverts – pre-prepared meals are terrible.  The actual contents have only a passing semblance to the packet photo. The ingredients used are usually the cheapest the manufacture can get away with.  To add insult to injury the portion size is for a child.

10.   Any chocolates/sweets/puddings eaten during your recovery period are deemed to be non-fattening – and don’t listen to anyone who tells you otherwise.

 

 

Feel free to add to the list

 

 

10 likes, 70 replies

70 Replies

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  • Posted

    Funny! Here's one to add.

    Be prepared for hurting in your other leg and both arms as they have to work harder to move your body around during the initial weakness in your surgical leg. In fact, be prepared to hurt all over and never be comfortable for about a month.

    • Posted

      Oh yes AnnieK, my arms were killing me especially that first week....you are so right! Thanks.....Barb
    • Posted

      so true ...

      I thought I got arthiritis in my hands but it was caused by me holding on to walker for dear life ....

    • Posted

      I got those, too! And the numbness and the tingling... One positive (the ONLY one) was that my arm muscles are now in pretty darn good shape. 💪🏻
    • Posted

      Hi Motorcity, so do I....not using a walker now but found that the crutches do the same just from hanging on...then when I use the cane my arthritis in my hand aches....Hard to win sometimes...Wishing you well...Barb
    • Posted

      I have a callus on my right hand from gripping the walker, too.
    • Posted

      I had really bad shoulders from planting my walking sticks (canes) down on long walks, and on advice from my physio changed to these hiking poles.

      The grip and action is so much easier on the body.

      Graham

    • Posted

      Thanks Graham, I will check into those because I sure get sore....Appreciate the advice....Take care....Barb
    • Posted

      At week 3, on advice from my physio, I ditched my crutches in favour of trekking poles, they have been brilliant x
  • Posted

    Had a great laugh at your list - and SO RIGHT !

    The recovery time isn't 12 weeks, it's at least 6 months to a year for most.

    On the Bio oil massaging of the scar, I was told to ease up on it by my physio at 6 months.

    Graham

    • Posted

      I agree, I'm 6 months now and although I walk everyday and am more and more active, my legs ache horribly after any extra physical exercise e.g. gardening.

  • Posted

    Amazing how many of these things we can all agree on. Pre op ppl take note. On the good side it doesn't last long to get over the worst of it.

    Brenda xx

  • Posted

    I could add how sore my bum is from just sitting.  I have one of those 4" cushions and it is soft but Geesh I get sore.  I have all these gel ice packs and always have one on my hip and then one one each side of my bum!  No one had told me about that!  LOL

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