Mike,
Yup, everyone is different. I have two ADRs, but had them done in different surgeries.
My first was L4/5, so maybe I can take a "stab" at this, he he, I find comedy helps the pain.
I found that, with me, at least, that first week is difficult. But when I had surgery, I had help from people here on adrsupport.org and other places, and they told me at three weeks, I should notice an improvement as far as pain and being able to get around. And that was true for me as I noticed that at that point, I was a lot better off than that first week.
And at six weeks, I felt a heck of a lot better.
But this is an up-and-down recovery. Some people, swear off pain medications and go their happy way.
I was not that way, but I was in a lot of pain before surgery. I was however, in a lot better shape, than I am now, or even before my second surgery (L5/S1).
I was a runner and a competitive masters athlete. I first started having major problems with L4/5 in third week of May, 2007 and had surgery by March, 2008.
I had a doctor who believed in pain medication, thank God. I mean, I have talked to/read about surgeons who believe in weaning a patient off pain medications at a certain time and who cares if they are still in pain.
Back to that first week: Somewhere, on here, I am sure, is a list of what you can do to prepare for surgery. It is not a fun trip, even if it is only 15-20 minutes or less, to go from the hospital to home. Be medicated for that trip.
I was supposed to stay in the hospital, three days or so. I stayed nine days?? because of a post-operative ileus, as my vascular surgeon explained it to me at that time: my colon decided not to work.
Once it started working, I was on my way home. I was not totally ready as I was supposed to get a hospital bed (insurance paid for) as my home is two-stories and my surgeon recommended getting one. Well, it was not ready/not delivered yet, when I got home, and the first thing you want to do when you set your feet in your house, is lie down.
Also it is helpful, for someone to get your home medicines and have them ready for you. Believe me, you do not want to take a side trip to the pharmacy.
So have everything as much prepared as you can. Have a pillow so you can splint your stomach. I highly recommend the bed as it made it so much easier than trying to jump into my bed at night or during the day because it is not that easy getting into a regular bed after having abdominal surgery. (If you use your own bed, satin bed sheets, help to slide).
You can not BLT (bend, lift, twist) and you should have your home prepared in anticipation of that. About 6 weeks of that. I had a walker, invaluable. I spent most of that first week, in pain and finding remedies for going to the bathroom, for those precious number 2's.
I had ice packs too. No continuous ice machine (it is like a cooler with a pad you lie down on) then and this is a great machine. Ice is good for pain control and helping your back. Still using mine for my back.
So memory foam pillows, a grabber or two (a must) and ice machine. And having a small table, where you can place the things you need, but do not want to trek across the house for.
FYI, I had a brace, fitted before surgery and used in the hospital, and stuff like Cottonelle wipes, which are flushable. Chap stick, kleenex, dressings for your incision, thermometer, in case you get a fever, etc...
Little small candies to suck on for dry mouth.
So you get my drift, have things readily assessable that you need or want. Fix any throw rugs in the house and put them somewhere else, and toilet seat riser/shower chair and get one that stays on the toilet and does not slip. (Sometimes, these are provided by the hospital).
I got a calendar and marked off the days, weeks, months post-op.
I had never had major/or "unmajor" abdominal surgery before my operation. The toughest thing was getting up, I think it was, the day after my surgery. I just recalled when I told patients to get up after abdominal surgery. For me, very difficult, but it got better after the first time. PT in the hospital should tell you how to move, transfer, etc...
If you cannot move by yourself while in the hospital, have the nurses move you as you should turn every two-hours or you are setting yourself up to get pneumonia. Even at night, make them turn you. And it is difficult to turn, when you have gadgets on and are supposed to turn in a level smooth operation.
I would encourage rest that first week. You will not come out feeling like when you went in. For me, my body did not work the same. Legs didn't work the same and were very "tight". Needed someone to help with putting socks on my feet. My surgeon said no going into shower by myself as you are not supposed to twist. Husband put me in and turned on water and then I sat on shower chair.
Did these things until I was cleared by surgeon.
I am sure, that my long journey is documented here under ADR surgical forum.
take care,
Kimmers.
(BTW, saw improvement at 6 months, 12 months and so forth. Remember two steps forward, one back.)
And consult your surgeon, if even the littlest happens.
