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walking after surgery

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Posted 7/28/2013 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
hi all,

it's been probably said before, but i don't remember, is it recommended to walk right after removal of rectum and anus? is it possible at all? thanks!

Posted 7/28/2013 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
     My surgeon recommended I walk the day after surgery, but at your own pace.  Don't overtax yourself.  It is also important to try to walk upright, as you will have a tendency to slouch over, like I did..lol.  Good luck!
Posted 7/28/2013 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
With rectum removal you can walk normally. With anal closure you might need to waddle a little so as to keep your knees together (anything that "spreads the cheeks" can be problematic).

It's always good to walk post op! It's also great to get out of bed and sit in a chair or even on a couch or whatever's available. The first day after my rectum was removed I found it impossible to take more than a few steps (lots of pain and I had low blood pressure from the surgery), so I walked back and forth between the bed and the chair in my room, spending about an hour resting in between trips. Better than nothing!
Posted 7/28/2013 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
thank you guys. this helps a lot. then i shall do my best :)

i did have my colon removed 4 yrs ago, except for the rectum, and i walked a lot with no problem. i did have a tendancy to slouch over at first, but there was one extremely wonderful nurse who always made sure i straighten up. but with removing the rectum and anus it has to be a lot more difficult to walk. but now i know i should, so i will.

how long did it take you guys till you were able to walk normally, well relatively normally?
Posted 7/28/2013 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
It was about two weeks for me with the rectum removal. I was very hunched over for the first few days, then kind of hunched and shuffling for a week, and by the two week mark I was pretty much normal, though still sore.
Posted 7/28/2013 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
thanks. 2 weeks doesn't sound too bad. but i guess with me it will be a bit longer, cuz the anus will be also removed.
Posted 7/28/2013 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't have any problem walking. I was in the mall Christmas shopping 11 days after surgery. But sitting was a different story. It took me 2-3 weeks to be able to sit comfortably.

Try not to worry. Everyone is different. Just keep a positive attitude and that will help a lot...at least that's what my doctors told me.

Sherrine
Posted 7/28/2013 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Pluot - "With anal closure you might need to waddle a little so as to keep your knees together" - very well said & this is exactly what I do!!

I am two weeks out from surgery (tomorrow) & I still have a little waddle with a rather slow pace. My pain script is all messed up though & my surgeon had to send a new one in the mail to pharmacy (too far of a drive). This leaves me with 3 a day instead of the prescribed 8 & definitely affects my pain level. One of the best things fro me if I need to walk for any amount of time - I put a Kleenex inside my cheeks against the wound - for some reason it helps immensely with the friction & soreness. My best position is lying down on my side.
Posted 7/28/2013 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
thanks Sherrine and MM. Sharrine, i'll be going with the best attitude i can. that's how i was with each of my surgeries, cuz that's the only best way to go :)

MM, sorry to hear you're in so much pain :( i will keep that kleenex tip in mind in case i need it too :) hope your pain ease soon!!
Posted 7/28/2013 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
I'm just over 2wks post op and I am out and about and walking as much as possible. I find walking is no problem but sitting is still a little uncomfortable as the wound hasn't quite healed yet. Its not too bad though. I get more backache from sitting over to one side or other. As a gauge for you, I am not in need of any pain meds now.
Good luck and keep up the positive attitude.
Posted 7/29/2013 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
scarytime - did you have an anal closure?
Posted 7/29/2013 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I am six week post-op this Monday.  I to had an anal closure.  My stitches did sort of come apart according to my doctor.  It was leaving me with some discharge on my back end that created a pretty bad irritation.  I bought some extra strength Desitin and that did wonders.  Don't know if any of you have experienced that.  Just an idea.  I am still sore and have to switch cheek to cheek when sitting for an extended amount of time.  I hope this is something that get better soon.

Posted 7/29/2013 7:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hi MM, yes I did have anal closure. I had some irritation which I used sudocrem (nappy rash cream here in the uk) and it worked a treat. I tried using sanitary pads but they made it worse so like you, I resorted to a dry Kleenex type cloth which is much better. Also like Kim, I switch from cheek to cheek when sitting but can't say its a big deal considering I'm only just over 2wks post surgery. Its quite comfortable walking.
Posted 7/29/2013 8:43 AM (GMT 0)
scarytime, that is great you don't need any pain meds anymore.

Kim, thanks for the desitine tip. i'll get some in case i need it. it has to get better with time. i know how you feel, when i'm in pain, i tend to think it will never go away. i guess b/c your stiches came appart it takes healing a bit longer, but i'm sure eventually it will heal.

so i understand it's the opposite than i thought, and walking is rather easier than sitting.. guess it makes sense - sitting on a wound has to be uncomfortable. thanks for all your tips everyone!! now my list includes kleenex and desitine.

Sherrine, i know i said i'm going with a good attitude, but.... i think i'm still so very scared lol....
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