9 days post op, what can I do?

[Patrick]

My life currently includes; reclining in the Lazy Boy, laying in bed, and pushing my "Grandma" walker from my bathroom to my kitchen for about 5 minutes every hour.

It really feels like I could benefit from stretching in the hip and gluteal area. My P.T. does not start for 2 more weeks.

Has anyone done any super mild stretching or activity on their own this early from post-op that has helped them? Thanks

[luvmysibe]

Each body is as unique as the person within, I can only speak from my experience...

Even during my hospital stay I was already leaving the walker idle and shuffling throughout on my own. The PT, the nursing staff, and my doctor said this was OK as long as I didn't tire myself out and my legs and spine remained stable. I did continue to wear my back brace for another week after this when I was walking. Nine days post-op my doctor officially said I didn't need the walker at all. He encouraged me to do gentle stretching and very basic upright and reclined yoga posses with props. Some of my best stretching is with the straps (you could use a belt) hooked over the ends of my feet to help release my hamstrings. My physioball also eases the tension in my legs and spine. If you don't have one you can lie down in front of a chair and gently place your legs across the seat.

I began water therapy 3 weeks post op and this had also made a tremendous difference. It is much easier to stretch in the bouyancy of the pool. Make certain your incision is healed before entering the pool. Wheat germ oil can assist with the healing. Also, seeing a well-trained, certified massage therapist works wonders. I also posted information regarding a wonderful topical pain relieving gel called Biofreeze. I have been medication free since 4 weeks post op.

I hope this helps, but as always, listen to your body.

BTW-my sister just moved to Federal Way and I have a cousin in Bothell. In which part of WA do you reside?

Best wishes,

Crystal

[Patrick]

Thanks Crystal. I actually live in Bothell also. I know you touched on some incision care but I wanted to ask another question. I still have the decomposing tape over my incision but was wondering is there any good home remedy that would relieve some pain I have around that area. It feels like 50% of my pain is coming from around the stomach/incision area. I also ended up with a nasty, silver dollar sized blister a few inches away from the incision. The nurse said not to pop and drain it...I am sure it would cause even more pain if I did. It feels like I pulled every stomach muscle I have trying to roll over in that hospital bed for 4 1/2 days.

[luvmysibe]

I removed my steri strips because they were irritating my skin and making my incisional pain worse. I used an antibacterial analgesic cream (like neosporin)for about 2 weeks and then began treating the scar with wheat germ oil. I would concur that you should leave the blister alone, you don't want to compound the situation with an infection.

What a small world, thanks to the Internet. I am hping to visit my sister in the late fall/early winter maybe we can have a northwestern ADR gathering.

To your healing,

Crystal