Advice re: Post-op Recovery/Drains

I'm sure this has been said a zillion times before but I really want all you newbies to see this. After 5 surgeries (BMX/TE, Implant exchange, and 3 revisions), I finally GOT IT! I finally "got" what they mean by taking it easy after surgery, and how that relates to your drains. I'm normally an extremely active person--in work and in play. So, when someone tells me to "lay low", I took that to mean I should just do a little less than what I was used to doing. I have never been good at napping or lounging. As a result of my less-than-adequate ability to sit still, my drains have always had to stay in for weeks after each of my surgeries. The more you do, the more drainage you produce. Even when I'd go in to see my surgeon post-op and she'd lecture me about my recovery behavior, I still never really understood. But with this last surgery, I decided to as close to nothing as possible. I remained horizontal--exerting myself only for the purposes of maintaining good circulation, and going to the bathroom and bathing (which I only did a couple of times because it takes a LOT of energy to do with drains in). This time I was so good, that my drains dwindled down to less than 10cc per day within only days post-op. I got my drains out at my first follow-up appointment--something that has never happened before.

You may think you understand what it means to lay low. And perhaps it comes more naturally to some than to others. But, in case you're thinking of doing any laundry, loading the dish-washer, picking up your little 2-month old kitten, taking a short walk around the block (thinking, "hey, I'm just using my legs, not my upper body, what's wrong with a short stroll?"), reaching for the remote control, adjusting your pillows, changing your clothes, etc., please heed my advice--don't do what you don't have to do, and get help with what you must do. I now understand that taking it easy, means sleeping, and lying down while awake. It means having everything you need easily accessible; i.e. not simply within reach--but reachable without stretching or lifting your arms. It means not getting up to go to the kitchen, but asking your partner, child or care-taker to get your ice cream for you--even if you have to send them back for a second, third, fourth scoop. It means asking for someone to pick up what you've dropped--even if it's just your dainty little panties. If you must pick something off the ground--it must be very light weight, and you must kneel to gather it. No--reaching, stretching, or raising your arms. Yes--sleeping, relaxing, and asking for help as often as you need it.

If you're going to be recovering without a care-taker present, please prepare as much as possible before your surgery. Have your phone and remote control on a table that's positioned more or less in front of where you'll be lying/propped up so that you're not twisting or reaching to your side, have pillows set up, have your house clean, with clear paths to your bed, bath and refrigerator. Squat down as opposed to bending over if you must feed your pets or pick up something of the floor.

Take care and best wishes to all of you!