Post BMX Questions

Mckaylaleigh

Hi ladies. BMX on 7 March. I feel like my after care (base facility) was very lacking and I have a few questions. First, my BS gave me zero restrictions other than no heavy lifting. This seems strange because I seem to remember reading different before my surgery. Also, she didn't give me any exercises, any suggestions there?  And they didn't do any walking with me, should I be doing some walking? Also, I asked her about cleaning the drains and she said I only have to stretch the lines on occasion.  I am fairly out of it it right now so I apologize if this doesn't make sense.  I do have my full range of motion and my pain level is petty good. I just don't feel up to trying to find these answers right now.   Thanks!

Curlyq1974

Ugh Mckaylaleigh! Sorry you didn't get good answers from your doctor. Exercise - my instructions were none. Do nothing, no lifting, no stretching, nothing... Not until the drains come out and you are checked to make sure the incisions are healing. I didn't realize how much internal work the surgeons did, internal stiches and stuff that they didn't want me doing anything. As for the drains, I "milked" mine when the bulbs started to fill and pull. Then I would drain the bulb and stretch the lines to get the yuck out... and then flatten the bulb as best as I could before closing it. Just take it easy - thank goodness you are feeling good. This is a lot for the body to go thru - rest!

Best wishes to you!

~Janet

dtad

No upper body exercise until doc ok's it. Usually 2-3 weeks. Walking as tolerated is fine. Milking the drains is necessary if you see a clot or they are not draining. Good luck and keep us posted....

ml143333

I hope you will recover quickly.

When I had my BMX, I couldn't lift anything for about 2 weeks. My nurse showed me how to milk and empty the drains and I had to record output for my plastic surgeon. He had me doing light arm stretches against a wall on my 2nd day home, but every doctor has his/her own recovery plans.

ksusan

Limit range of arm movements to below the shoulder. This is the period in which your lymphatic system heals (helping prevent lymphedema later on).

If there's a nurse or patient navigator, call and ask if there's a sheet of aftercare instructions.

Skittlegirl

I wasn't given much for restrictions. Just no housework (which I ignored with 3 kids and not much help) and no lifting my 40-pound toddler 2 days post-op.

I wasn't given any exercises to do.

The nurse showed me how to strip my drain tube, empty the drains, squish the air out before sealing the drains, and record the volume.

okbecca

McKaylaleigh, I was told to strip my drains twice each day and record how much fluid they produced each time. The doc gave me a chart to write this down. She also arranged for a home health nurse to come by, check my vitals and strip the drains each morning. I have a girlfriend who comes over and helps me with then in the pm.

I am going to have a physical therapist when I heal to that point.

Here's how they have me do the drains:

1. My drains are on a belt that I was wearing when I woke from surgery. I slide the bulbs off the belt and put them, in one-two-three-four order on the dressing table in my bathroom.

2. Put on disposable gloves. Pick up drain #1. grip it as tightly as you can between your thumb and forefinger where it comes out from your body.

3. Then take an alcohol strip and use it to grip the drain with the thumb and forefinger of your other hand.

4. Slide your fingers down the drain a few inches, gripping it so that you flatten the drain and push all the fluid down the tube.

5. Move your back hand forward until it's next to the hand with the alcohol swab and then

6. slide the hand with the alcohol swab down a few inches. Repeat this until you get to the bulb.

7. If there is still fluid in the tube, repeat the process as many times as you need in order to get all the fluid into the tube.

8. open the top of the bulb and empty the contents into the measuring cup.

9. Record how much fluid the drain produced.

10. Squeeze the bulb flat to create a vacuum and seal it shut again.

11. Put the drains back on the belt and adjust for comfort.

As for restrictions, i was told not to lift anything (I've probably lifted more than I should,) or to use my arms. I was told that I needed to walk around the house every hour or so, but only for a short distance.

I am not supposed to drive, play the piano or do much else until I see the doc next week.

I am supposed to keep a pressure bandage on during the first week.

I've been encouraged to keep myself pain free by setting an alarm and waking myself to take pain meds during the night and to not miss a dose of pain pills or try to take less than prescribed. Also, to take stool softeners and eat high fiber foods. My doc and the nurses have all told me repeatedly to rest and get well and not do anything for a few weeks.

Not only have the home health nurses been visiting me every day, but the nurses at the hospital and the doc's office have called to check on me each day.

Hope this helps.

Mckaylaleigh

Thanks OKbecca. Sounds like your care was much better than mine. I have always had fluid in the drains as I was never told not to. I will do it differently from now on. I had all new military members all probably under 23 (some probably barely 18) taking care of me in the hospital and my care was lacking. The RN I had (and oldest person) for my night care in the hospital spent the night (at 12:30 at night) complaining about her boyfriend and his Mom and showing me a couch she wants to buy. My husband has even considered filing a complaint. I only saw my surgeon at discharge for about two minutes,  I haven't had any phone calls to check on me and certainly haven't had any nurse care. Not that I think I need it, I am handling everything ok, but I really feel like I was just thrown to the wolves to figure things out on my own.  Thank God for you ladies!