Post SRS/GRS activity?

[Sabine]

I was wondering how mobile I will be and how soon after surgery. I'm having surgery with Brassard, which means only a week up there, then a week with family, then I am home.  I'm not going to have much help after the first week back and I have a dog who has to be walked at least around the block.  What sort of experiences have others had?

[Monkeymel]

I am one week post op with Dr Chettawut. A lot depends on your healing. Once padding and catheter are out I would say you could walk around the block - with mild discomfort. And then need rest. Depending upon how big / strong / pulling your dog is I would recommend a friend accompanies you in the first weeks if possible.

[Sabine]

Thanks!

He's elderly, so I don't expect that he'll be hard to handle. I just have visions of tottering about like Frankenstein's monster, and not making it far.  I am more worried about him than me actually.   

[mrs izzy]

Well Sabine,

You will be asked to start standing and walking the same night of your surgery.

Walking around the hospital the next day.

Stairs will be a must in the residence.

Harder to sit then it was to walk.

You should be ok in 2 weeks if things go normal in healing.

Everyone has there own threshold so all might take less or more time.

When is your date, a few others have dates coming here soon?

I live in Montreal so if you wish a visit send me a message.

[Sabine]

I am hoping that between being fit, and my quick recovery from FFS I should be OK. I am assuming "average" with some optimism beyond. Again, I'm mainly worried about my dog. I'm fairly self reliant otherwise.  I work from home, so that's not as much an issue. 

I'm in the third week of August.

And yes, I am in a state of organizational panic, but should be fine...

And thanks for the offer Izzy!

[mrs izzy]

Ok will keep it in mind 3rd week of this month.

No one i know will be there but you will not be alone for sure.

I have so far a open schedule so let me know if you need anything.

[suzifrommd]

I'm six weeks post-op from Kathy Rumer. She uses a similar technique as Brassard. (Many of the Thai surgeons use a different technique that has a different recovery pattern).

First month, I was mostly flat on my back. Getting up and moving around was painful but doable.

Past couple weeks have been much better. There's still a lot of tenderness so I don't move with my usual stride, but I'm at the point where I can do most activities.

Sitting still hurts, though.

[GendrKweer]

I am always in awe of those who say they were "up and walking around" a few days or a week after surgery with mild discomfort.... I couldn't sit upright on a donut cushion for more than 20 minutes at a time for the first few weeks due to throbbing pain. After that, it was months before I could sit without "one cheeking it", more months before I could walk longer distances (1 mile or more) without noticeable limping and shortening my stride, and a good six months before the feeling of sitting on a baseball inside myself went away. Suporn did my surgery, and it was as uncomplicated as they get, plus I was 35 and fit. If your life or job depends on walking around a few weeks after surgery, I'd postpone until you have a solid 2 months in which to rest and of course properly dilate three times a day. Just my 2 cents....

[mrs izzy]

I think it comes from the type of surgery,

Dr. Brassard we are only in the stirrups for about 2 hrs max. and they want us to walk as much as we can being it helps with the healing process. More O2 levels in the blood and circulation.

Yes sitting was not fun for 3 months with me but walking was not much of a problem with me.

Could i walk a mile or run a mile, no but normal daily activities in cleaning the house, making dinner and all i needed to do with my aftercare was no trouble.

I agree i would wait till maybe 10 to 12 weeks after before heading back to work. Tiredness is a issue for sure.


I am in the AARP age range. Not everyone handles things the same. The other girl who had hers the same day as mine was sitting with out any trouble on day 4 after.

[Jenna Marie]

Another Brassard girl who could walk a couple blocks before she even left to go home. I still tired easily, but I could manage minor chores and could have handled the sort of slow short dog walk you describe by the time I got back.

[dkl]

I too am a brassard girl, I was able to walk around the block before I left, slowly though.

[Sabine]

crosses out celebratory dancing from her immediately post surgical to do list...

And thanks! These are are helpful insights.

[Vicky]

My surgeon had me up the day after surgery, and I lived in the second story of an extended stay hotel for 10 days after I left the hospital. There were no restrictions on my attempted physical activity.  In my case, it was not the surgical field discomfort so much as it was my stamina in continuing an activity.  I used a collapsible hiking pole for about 6 weeks when I took walks longer than the length of my block to help my balance and avoid too quick a jolt on my legs if my foot hit a rock, or tree cone. You may actually find that walks help massage the area, and get your mind changed on the discomfort. I would not recommend a 100 mile endurance run for over a year though.

[Sabine]

... You may actually find that walks help massage the area, and get your mind changed on the discomfort. I would not recommend a 100 mile endurance run for over a year though.

I go mad with inactivity. Between the dog, running for therapy, and just practical life (I don't need a car where I live), I average 10-12 miles a day. That's just how I live. I'll either be quite cross with limits or testing them. After my FFS, I was told that slowly ramping up activity actually helped the healing -- meaning running as early as I felt comfortable after 6 weeks or so. Even then, it was a while before I had any extended run beyond about 3-5 miles.  Brassard is saying 8 weeks, which others have said sounds right. I suspect I'll be dipping toes in the water a lot.

[Monkeymel]

Oh I hear you so well. I love running, ballet training (I'm no good), yoga, weights. And Chettawut says 3months before gym. Arghhhh I'm already lacing the room. But I also listen to my body. I can pace but recognize that I also need to rest a lot. Like you I would love to "test the water sooner" but I will only do so with help from their nursing team - and when home - my gyno / endo (a transman) as having waited 30 odd years for the upgrade; I not going to open full throttle and crash at the first sharp turn...

Listen to your body - and listen deeply and well.

[Vicky]

Listen to your body - and listen deeply and well.

The absolute key to this whole experience!!  You will be getting many messages during your healing, and they will be loud and clear if you listen for them!!

[crystals]

i do think i know the answer to this question but to make sure

developing pain tolerance helps recovering and being able to move around more?

[crowcrow223]

I am always in awe of those who say they were "up and walking around" a few days or a week after surgery with mild discomfort.... I couldn't sit upright on a donut cushion for more than 20 minutes at a time for the first few weeks due to throbbing pain. After that, it was months before I could sit without "one cheeking it", more months before I could walk longer distances (1 mile or more) without noticeable limping and shortening my stride, and a good six months before the feeling of sitting on a baseball inside myself went away. Suporn did my surgery, and it was as uncomplicated as they get, plus I was 35 and fit. If your life or job depends on walking around a few weeks after surgery, I'd postpone until you have a solid 2 months in which to rest and of course properly dilate three times a day. Just my 2 cents....

Thanks for your input!
More or less/generally speaking, do you reckon it's possible to be fully ready to get back to work that involves quite a bit of manual work/walking/lifting etc. after 3 months? thanks!

[mrs izzy]

Thanks for your input!
More or less/generally speaking, do you reckon it's possible to be fully ready to get back to work that involves quite a bit of manual work/walking/lifting etc. after 3 months? thanks!

I think 3 months is a fair and good estimation on time needed to get back to normal.

[Vicky]

i do think i know the answer to this question but to make sure

developing pain tolerance helps recovering and being able to move around more?

The recovery staffs of the major surgeons you would most likely use are all very skilled in pain management medication, and do it to match the surgeon's recovery orders and healing guidelines. Taking the medications as prescribed based on your pain symptoms is your best method of recovery. Pain during your surgical recovery is a very real way of monitoring your progress, and will be your guide to getting absolutely necessary medical help when it is needed.  People I know who have had serious problems are those who did not take and act on the pain messages they were given.  Under these circumstances, "developing pain tolerance" could be a detriment to your healing since it could prevent you from getting timely needed attention.  For the most part though pain begins to manage itself over time as swelling and healing progress.  By the time you are discharged from the hospital, pain will be manageable during normal healing.  It will be discomfort that can be relieved by medication and mechanical placement of your wound area.  In other words do not try to be the "IRON MAN.  or even iron woman after your surgery.