How long after SRS were you back in full swing?

[Jess]

I would say it was about 7 weeks for me to feel comfortable walking around and doing stuff. Went back to work alittle over 3 months, but it wasn't for about a 10 months to a year that I felt "normal."

[glendagladwitch]

I had the common penile inversion SRS on my 26th birthday.  I was in good health, and returned to work after 6 weeks.  I think it could have been sooner, but there is about a six week period of having to dilate every couple of hours.  It is not feasible to do that and work for most people.  I was up on my feet in a couple of days and running around like nothing was wrong within two weeks.  When I reviewed the surgeon's paperwork, I was surprised to see that I had had a blood transfusion.

12 years later I had a colon graft revision.  That was a much more difficult surgery.  I thought I was going to die.  But I returned to work within two weeks as planned.  I thought that the reduced need to dilate would make it possible.  It was way too soon.  It really took 3 or 4 months to recover to the point where I had strength and no discomfort and could think straight.  It took maybe a year or more to get energy back.  I still don't have stamina even two years later. 

[Jeannette]

October 27 will be my first year as totally female.  I had GRS with Marci last October & I was back at work by mid January.  I did develop some depression after GRS but it was quickly taken care of by my therapist.

[Blanche]

That depends on the person, and on what you mean by 'full swingl'.

In general, the external wound edges are healed in 10-14 days; some take longer (mine took 25 days altogether, because I developed a small wound sinus). 

Swelling and bruising had almost completely disappeared after three weeks or so; I was able to sit, stand, and walk without significant pain. I could walk 5 miles a day after 3 weeks without difficulty. The nerve endings took the longest to heal, 6-12 months & I was back to my regular life after 6 months.

[Yvonne]

I was back to work after only 6 weeks but I consider myself to be the exception.  Most peeps take longer to recuperate. 

[DarkLady]

After 6 months still not recovered. Bleeding, wounds, infections and pain. More tired, weak and generally ill than 1-3 months after the operation.

[Ms.Behavin]

about 6-8 weeks for me.  to drive an hour, it took a good 5-6 weeks.  Sitting is a pain / discomfort for a while.  But then again I was up the Mast (I live on a salboat) at 8-9 weeks.  It was about 3-4 months before I was 90-100 percent.  It does take alot out of you, your body spends lots of energy repairing the trauma down below.  2 days after surgery it was all I could do to stand beside the bed for 5 minutes while they changed the bedding.  at 7 days I went up a flight of stairs and the doc was pretty amaized at how well I was dong.

I was 52 at the time.
Beni

[Sarah B]

My experience is shown here

Kindest regards
Sarah B

[Diane Elizabeth]

     Sarah brought up a good point.  If most recovery time is several months, then how were you able to keep your job.  I know if/when I have GRS that I won't be able to return until I am 100 %.  I have a very physical job moving appliances andhazardous chemicals by forklift and by hand (unloading microwaves from a car trunk is not easy.    I guess I had better plan on looking for a new job then.  Has anyone lost their job due to recovery time being too long?

[Sarah B]

If you meant me Dylen (Sarah B), my job was in an office drawing plans.  I was a contractor and I used the trade that I learnt after I finished high school.  So the amount of physical activity that I did was minimal at best.

When I told one of my bosses at the time I was taking time of there was no problem.  One of the other bosses came and asked me could I change my mind and work the two weeks I was going to take off.

I quietly said to him. No that was not possible,  I had woman's trouble and I needed to have it sorted out. (I cannot remember the exact details, I may have said I had cancer of the cervix, and I had to have surgery).

He apologized to me for asking a personal question, but I said not to worry.  I was an adult and I was not going to treat him with disrespect.

Kindest regards
Sarah B

[Birdie]

I have a very physical job moving appliances andhazardous chemicals by forklift and by hand (unloading microwaves from a car trunk is not easy.

Heavy lifting is a no-no for a few months after surgery. 4 - 6 from memory, but I don't remember exactly. Plan to have a back-up plan incase you can't get back to work for three months.

[LordKAT]

FMLA covers 26 weeks if you qualify.

[Carlita]

I am very concerned by some of the replies on here, just because it makes me worry that i will not be able to afford the effect of SRS on my ability to work.

The good things are that I write for a living, so can work from home and do not have to cope with any physical stress caused by my work. Also, I can quietly go and dilate without anyone asking where I'm going or demanding I go back to work.

The bad things are that I spend the day sitting down at a keyboard (it hadn't occurred to me that sitting would be a problem, but of course it makes perfect sense!) ... and I have to have a reasonably clear head, not weighed down by fatigue, distracting discomfort, drugs, etc, in order to write. Also I'm 50-ish (though fit and not at all overweight.

I can probably afford to take a month away from work. But, whether my body male or female, I have a family to feed and can't go missing for 3 - 6 months.

Is it unrealistic of me to expect to be working in 4-6 weeks after the operation. If not, what should I allow?

I would REALLY appreciate some advice here.

Thanks!! xx

[cassandraB]

It was 2 weeks for me,was waling around and doing my job.At first,had to adjust urinating sitting down and I have gotten over this.I am listening to doctors order's and cannot lift anything heavy for 6 months.

[Renate]

I would REALLY appreciate some advice here.

Sorry, but the best advice is that YMMV. (Your mileage may vary.)

The variables are:

• How much time gets taken out of your schedule for hygiene and dilation
• How much additional sleep and naps you require
• How much discomfort you have sleeping
• How much the surgery takes out of you physically
• How much difficulty you have moving and walking
• How much discomfort you have sitting

I don't think that getting into the swing of at-home typing work at home within a month is unreasonable.
You may have to search out the best solution of sitting, reclining or standing for you.
Donuts, a hard chair, a soft chair, a sofa or a bed are all options.
I would anticipate needing to take frequent breaks.
You should be walking frequently in any case.

[Carlita]

Thanks, ladies! I think I might invest in a desk that's at standing-height: they're meant to be better for ones back anyway!

I tend to work in short, concentrated bursts, mostly late-afternoon. There's no reason I can't have a mid-day power nap (LOVE those snoozes!!) ... I can take time out to dilate whenever I like ... and I live in the country, so there's no problem walking.

OK ... I'm feeling better ... PHEW!!

[Valentina]

Getting back to full swing status, e.g. jogging, studying, going about life like crazy, the usual stuff... took time, a few months.  GRS is emotionally & physically draining.  I don't understand how some people claim they were back in full swing after a month.  Are you serious?  or maybe they're right if 'their full swing' only involves being at home & doing nothing.

[KerstinVienna]

hi!

My surgery was almost 16 weeks ago and I'm still recovering.
The months after srs was so easy as I was in chonburi, didnt go to work and nerves were numb

now nerves are coming back, working 40hours and Im still feeling weak and I need a lot of sleep.

thought it would be easier and I could do more than just staying in bed on the weekend but well, I have to go through it and at least there is some routine.

I hope the worst is over, although sometimes Im taking a day off to stay at home and to sleep

Kerstin

[Syne]

Late 30s, was on the operating table for a long time, and was only out maybe a month total. I had planned on two but I ended up doing some work while in the hospital and then had to maintain a physical presence for meetings and such two days after my plane touched down. I was playing sports within a few weeks of being home. YMMV.