Lots of questions BMX tomorrow w/expanders

Anonymous

Lots of questions BMX tomorrow w/expanders

LoverofJesus

Ok questions

1 How did you feel the day of after surgery?

2. If you came home the next day how did you feel? Any pain? Feel like sitting up watching TV? Reading etc?

3. How quickly did you feel like somewhat independent? My hubby is staying 1 week. With me but I’m thinking If I can’t lift, push or pull or raise my arms I’m so limited.

Thoughts please. Surgery is tomorrow so any advice is fantastic!

bcincolorado

I was sent home pretty much next day and on heavy pain meds. The meds made me sleep a lot. Drains in and they were were difficult.

No you cannot lift and I had restrictions on bathing and washing hair and things like that did need assistance. I was happy to have to someone care for me at least 2 weeks afterwards. Did not feel like doing anything myself anyway.

My mother helped cooked some meals and and husband helped care for me and made sure my meds I could get "cleaned up" somewhat and a sponge bath at least.

They sent me home with really heavy pain meds though and then you "stepped down" to the the others. I wanted to step down off them as fast as I could though since preferred to be more alert and myself.

I did get get up and sit and a recliner chair most of the day but ended up dozing a lot during the movie we would put on even if it was one of my favorites because of the meds.

Best wishes to you in your surgery and recovery!

exbrnxgrl

LOJ,

I went straight to my permanent implants but the surgeries are very similar.

- Yes, you will be able to sit up! As a matter of fact, laying flat on your back would be much more uncomfortable. Some people spend their time in a recliner but if you don’t have one, a wedge pillow with a regular pillow or two on top and pillows on the side to prop up your arms is helpful. I called it my pillow throne.

- After any anesthesia has worn off you might be surprised by how normal you feel. I had very little pain and only took the prescription pain meds for a day or two. I watched TV, read and rested. I am not usually a day time sleeper but I recall taking a few naps, especially in the first few post surgery days.

-Yes, you will probably have some lifting/reaching restrictions. This is easily remedied by having someone place whatever you might need at an easily reachable level. My dd and SIL helped me out by placing things at countertop level. As far as lifting, what heavy things would you need or want to lift while recovering?

- I was walking around the block the day after I got home and then walked a little further each day. This wiped me out initially and I rested accordingly but I knew that moving as much as I could would hasten my healing. But be careful not to overdo it!

- My daughters lived nearby and did spend the first few nights home with me but I felt fine on my own after a few days. We just organized things well and they called and/or stopped by frequently. My school community organized meals so there wasn’t much cooking to be done. I would not have needed full time help after the first few days.

-All in all, it was far easier than my active little mind imagined. Yes, the first days or first week will find you needing a little TLC, but I really thought it would be far worse. My greatest advice is to move, within reason, a bit more each day. I should also add that different surgeons may give varying advice on post surgical care. For instance, my ps did not allow showers until after the drains were pulled (shower chair and hand held shower head allowed me to wash lower half and sponge bath for top), but others do!

All the best and it might turn out to be easier than you imagined.