Posted 11/12/2009 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
I cannot recommend walking-walking-walking enough!
I didn't cooperate after my colon resection and recovered slowly. And painfully. For 4 straight weeks.
For my takedown surgery, I cooperated and recovered so much more quickly. Yes I had pain but as soon as the nurses said to sit up, I did. When they said sit in a chair for an hour, I did. Felt dizzy and wanted only to sleep but I obeyed. When they said now it's time to walk out into the hall, I did. Slowly but I did it. By the end of my 5 day hospital stay I was walking double laps around the entire surgical floor, several times a day. I didn't spike a fever, I didn't have any gas pains (had a very rough night first time around, at 3 am and they kept me up until dawn, what a rough night that was. Felt like ping pong balls bouncing around inside my gut).
Like you I didn't feel perfect either but I tried to only be in my hospital bed for 8 to 10 hours in a 24 hour period. The rest of the time I was walking or sitting up in the recliner. Just sitting upright in a chair really helps you recover faster. Until I tried it I wouldn't have believed it.
30 years ago my mother had her gall bladder removed. She was in the hospital for 10 day and flat on her back in bed for 9. They didn't get her out of bed until the day of discharge. I don't even know how she managed to get to the car!
It's amazing to me how far medicine has come. They want you moving as soon as possible. For my first surgery I thought those nurses were just flat out crazy! But after discharge I knew they were right (darn it!)......
Wishing you well and a speedy recovery.