Recovery Started by: Katie

  • Author
    Posts
  • Katie 3
    3p
    Menu

    I’m booked in to have my op 21st December and was wondering how long was the recovery, would I be okay to have a normal Christmas?

    Nancy B 11
    11p
    Menu
    +2

    Hi @katec1993 it really depends
    I had unders and recovery for me had been really difficult and usually my pain thresh hold is sky high
    I went for surgery on 11.10.17 i arrived at 11am and went for surgery about 4.30 and I got out of theatre and woke up 5.30 and was sick for 2 hours and the pain was so bad
    And i was soo hot and stuffy By 9.30pm i told nurse i was ok to go home..i wasnt at all but wanted my bed
    I didnt sleep all night mix of pain and sickness
    The next 4 days were the same the pain was very bad i couldn’t lift my arms up and the back ache from sleeping upright was bad
    Today i have picked up but still struggle with pain
    Im really sorry and dont mean to scare you but i just want to be honest and share my experiences so you can be prepared xxx
    Any questions please ask

    Lydia 85
    85p
    Menu
    +1

    @katec1993 the worst time for me was 2-4dpo. Mainly because I couldn’t do anything for myself. If you’re up and about it’s fine, first thing in the morning is the worst but it was more of an ache for me. I just struggled with doing my hair, washing a bit and dressing. You should be able to move your arms enough to open presents and eat dinner though! You won’t feel great but you’ll be ok. Just keep on top of pain killers x

    Hollie 13
    13p
    Menu
    +1

    You won’t feel amazing but you’ll be okay, just keep up with your painkillers! I had a pretty good recovery and my worst day was probably day 4. I just wanted to sleep a lot for the first few days and couldn’t do much for myself, I wasn’t particularly in pain it was just uncomfortable and I didn’t feel like myself. The mornings are the worst part but once you’re up and about it’s fine xx

    Anonymous
    14p
    Menu
    +3

    Hey hun I had my op Dec 12th last year and I was more myself from day 6/7. The main issue I had was the constipation /water retention/bloating which most girls get, it’s down to the meds they give u and the anesthetic. I was ok to start but did get a bit moody as I naturally have a very flat stomach so was freaking out. I also got these little sac/ pockets of water down my tummy that moved down til they disappeared. I realised they were all the fluid draining from the op! Which is why ur told to sleep upright!

    Pre and post op I took several supplements to stop me getting ill as I have asthma and usually get the flu in winter they were zinc, vit b complex, magnesium and feroglobin. I also had the flu jab. I stopped taking some just before my op as advised by my surgeon and then started back straight after the op.

    In order to prepare for this make sure u drink lots of water to flush all the anesthetic/morphine if ur given it out of your system.

    The pain killers I was given to take home were far too strong and made me want to throw up and I passed out when u got home after my overnight stay. Plus they are also the cause of the constipation I later found our through the forum. I spoke to the nurse aand she said I was fine to take regular paracetamol instead so I swapped them for paracetamol!!! So all I had for an uplift and ba was paracetamol, muscle relaxants, Piriton for a rash I got from morphine and my antibiotics. I was totally fine no pain just felt uncomfortable sometimes.

    If u work out a lot try to stop a little before ur op as it’ll make all ur muscles tighter and u will feel a lot more pain post op I stopped six months before and really think this helped me!

    Get some Prunes /dates/ senakot to help ease constipation (I ate prunes the day of my op and for a few days as I don’t like taking tablets)

    Pineapple juice contains bromelian which is great for swelling and sore throats. I had half a glass with water every hour.

    Try not to eat crap (excess sugar/salt) Some girls get random oil breakouts and spots in face/chest area and all the extra sugar from sweets will add to this. Excess salt isn’t good for the blood.

    If the bloat gets really bad try some peppermint tea/ sweets

    I timed my meds to have them with a meal and got up same time everyday so I didn’t have to re do alarms. So if u know what ti.e roughly everyone will have a snack etc u won’t miss out

    I drank complan shakes when my appetite was but low also to make sure I didn’t miss a meal if I wasn’t feeling up to eating solids

    Eat lots of protein! So go crazy on turkey, chicken, beef etc it’ll help repair ur muscle and cell growth.

    Make sure u rest and don’t use ur arms to lift or carry anything heavier than a laptop! No stretching above ur head

    Icepacks really helped the chest skin stretching pain also I would stick them under my onesie lol

    Sorry for the essay but hope that helps and u have a great recovery

You must log in to reply to this topic.

Arrange a free consultation

Need some help?

Start a live chat session with one of our expert advisors.

Start Chat

Don't notify me about this again.