Now, this question is aimed at girls who are pass the recent OP barrier.

However, I want a generalization of the following question ->

After you were away from the Recovery House/Hotel, how was your comfort level on the first day out as far as sitting, walking, standing, maybe driving??

Im exactly talking the moment that you were "Ok'ed" to go home.

When standing, could you only stand for a certain period before feeling exhausted and when you sat did you feel so uncomfortable down there you had to stand or lay down?

P.S. I am not talking about the first moment you stood up or sat after being post op but rather on your "release" date to go back home

The day I was released to return home from Montreal I could only stand for a minute or two before the discomfort would start, rapidly increasing to being pain. After standing for about five minutes I had to sit down. When sitting I had to have my donut and as long as I had that I could usually last a half hour or so before I needed to lie down. On my trip back to Ottawa we had to stop half way so I could get out and walk around because the pressure was killing me. I got tired very quickly at that stage so walks over ten minutes were a bad idea. Everyone's recovery is different though.

Quote from: Wendy1974 on July 20, 2010, 07:37:07 PM
The day I was released to return home from Montreal I could only stand for a minute or two before the discomfort would start, rapidly increasing to being pain. After standing for about five minutes I had to sit down. When sitting I had to have my donut and as long as I had that I could usually last a half hour or so before I needed to lie down. On my trip back to Ottawa we had to stop half way so I could get out and walk around because the pressure was killing me. I got tired very quickly at that stage so walks over ten minutes were a bad idea. Everyone's recovery is different though.

Thats great to hear, but yeah that's why I was asking for a generalization of the subject I know it will be different!

The first time I stood up the pressure between my legs was excruciating and I couldn't stand more than a few minutes at a time. The first time I stood up was also the day I went home from the hospital. It was 2 weeks after surgery before I could sit for any amount of time comfortably. At 4 weeks from surgery yesterday, I am now sitting, walking, and even driving my car with no problems, but I still get tired easily. It can take months to get completely back to normal. Getting tired means your body is still healing itself so its best to listen to your body and take it as easy as possible.

Quote from: FairyGirl on July 20, 2010, 07:46:49 PM
The first time I stood up the pressure between my legs was excruciating and I couldn't stand more than a few minutes at a time. The first time I stood up was also the day I went home from the hospital. It was 2 weeks after surgery before I could sit for any amount of time comfortably. At 4 weeks from surgery yesterday, I am now sitting, walking, and even driving my car with no problems, but I still get tired easily. It can take months to get completely back to normal. Getting tired means your body is still healing itself so its best to listen to your body and take it as easy as possible.

Yeah im just scared on my way back home (I might stay an extra 2 weeks within montreal itself) Rather be safe then to collapse in the airport.

Quote from: SaraR on July 20, 2010, 08:11:22 PM
  collapse in the airport.

Yeah Sara I'm kinda worried about that myself. I only have a short plane ride home to Cleveland about 1 1/2 bit still that's a 1 1/2 sitting on a plane

Quote from: Jessica.C on July 20, 2010, 10:04:36 PM
Yeah Sara I'm kinda worried about that myself. I only have a short plane ride home to Cleveland about 1 1/2 bit still that's a 1 1/2 sitting on a plane

I have 45 mins to Toronto, then have to talk to the end of the terminal to swap planes then 1 hour 20 mins

Quote from: SaraR on July 20, 2010, 04:29:18 PM
Now, this question is aimed at girls who are pass the recent OP barrier.

However, I want a generalization of the following question ->

After you were away from the Recovery House/Hotel, how was your comfort level on the first day out as far as sitting, walking, standing, maybe driving??

Im exactly talking the moment that you were "Ok'ed" to go home.

When standing, could you only stand for a certain period before feeling exhausted and when you sat did you feel so uncomfortable down there you had to stand or lay down?

P.S. I am not talking about the first moment you stood up or sat after being post op but rather on your "release" date to go back home

Standing:  I stood in line at the ticketing line and customs at the airport.  I actually walked to my boarding gate (not recommended, use a wheelchair).  Was I wiped out at the end of the day?  You bet!  But in some ways it may have actually helped me heal faster, you know getting all the blood pumping.  Just remember to take breaks and sit down whenever you feel like it.  Take care of that new anatomy.

Sitting:  It was hard for me to get comfortable.  I had more luck sitting with a leg underneath me than using the donut.  I was able to drive no problem.  Overall, I just had to shift a lot for a few months.

Laying down:  my preferred pose at the time.  No pain involved.

Honestly, when I got out, I was pretty excited about getting home and beginning my new life as the new me.  I got tired out easily, but mind over body usually won out.  Seriously, remember to take it easy for a couple weeks after you get home.  Absolutely no lifting.  Short walks are good. 

Also, rent some headphones on the flight home and watch a movie.  It will take your mind off the discomfort, best $5 I ever spent.

I was ok to go home 2 wks  the car ride 6 hrs was managable but i was really glad it was over  I takes a while to get back on feet  but each day got better hang in there
Bethany

Well my SRS was in 1974 and I was 24 years old. My stay in the hospital was extended by one day (I had to learn how to pee LOL!) and I was released on the 4th day after surgery. I went shopping, on foot, in Trinidad for a few hours before I had a minor medical problem (some bleeding).

The following day (Day 5) I took the bus to Denver and flew from Denver to Toronto. I had minor discomfort toward the end of the long plane ride to Toronto (but the handsome young man in the seat next to me kept me pleasantly distracted  ). From Toronto home was another hour's flight and I was pooped when I got home from nearly 12 hours of travel/waiting but not in much pain. I was way too high on life to feel much negative.

I was thirty one and after one week in hospital (not sure if it was this long).  I walked from the hospital to my car slowly and very carefully got in the passenger side.  My long time dear friend was driving and it was a short trip home.  I was walking gingerly around and if I remember I laid down on my bed, for the second week.  I slept on my side with a pillow between my legs, which made it pretty comfortable.  I had hot showers and baths to ease the discomfort.  Which caused me to become dehydrated and hence not able to pee (I was becoming worried about this), but this soon resolved after I started drinking more.

Two weeks after surgery I was back at work.  This was possible because I was young, fit, healthy and the type of work (contract) I involved with, was drawing roads, designing roads and drawing plans for bridges.  This type of work only involved standing and sitting mostly.  I did walk around very carefully.

I'm still surprised at what I did, but I had to get back to work to earn my living and I wanted to be one who could get back on their feet the quickest.

Would I do anything differently, not really.  In hind sight I would have my mum and my Raggedy Ann doll with me.

Kind regards
Sarah B

Wow theres so much variations between people! Keep em coming!

I was 100% energy wise immdiately after waking up from surgery.  Now my first time out of bed was a little shaky because of nerves but I took a deep breathe and started walking around the halls.  Now that was day 3 post. Upon release, I drove myself around Trinidad and shopped.  Sitting straight up is impossible.  I was able to walk easily and ly down easily but sitting in a chair erect wasnt happening.  i could stand or ly down all day with no problems.  At the airport, I wasnt exhausted but i was sore and couldnt sit by the time i got to the gate.  I took a pain pill before and one when i got on the plane.  i was lucky enough to get a seat on the escape aisle and stretch my legs out.  I went back to work 2 weeks post and 4 weeks later I was totally back to normal.  So if you are healthy and depending on how your dr performs the surgery, you will be able to drive yourself home from the hospital or hotel.  I was dancing when i got home 10 days later.  No one knew i had the surgery.  I just told them i went on vacation. 

I was released from the hospital four days after surgery.  By then I was walking comfortably and could walk about a quarter mile or so easily.  Sitting was still a problem – just finding a comfortable position.  I found sitting on a towel folded into several layers more comfortable than a donut.  I could sit comfortably in the car but found getting in and out (especially out) difficult to do without pain.  I had to rest a lot, though, by sitting quietly.  I didn't feel the need to lie down or nap during the day, but I rarely do that anyway.  I was careful not to lift anything more than about 10 pounds or so.

By the time I went home – ten days after surgery – I could sit comfortably in the car for a few hours before I wanted to stop for a break (which is how I normally travel).  I was very tired when I got home after the 8-hour ride.  I probably could have driven myself home except that I wouldn't have been very alert because I wasn't up to full capability.

The day after getting home I was driving myself around town in my manual-shift car.  At that point I was still having a little trouble sitting on unpadded surfaces.  I was fine driving around town but it took me another week or two before I would drive to the next town – an hour and half drive each way.

I think it was at least two months before my stamina and flexibility returned to anything close to normal.  The first couple of weeks home I was fine getting around and doing things but had trouble concentrating for any length of time and would tire easily, so I would have been useless and completely exhausted if I'd gone to work.

- Kate

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Post Merge: July 21, 2010, 09:39:12 AM

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You didn't ask about bending, but that was a problem for me for a few weeks.  I wore only shoes that I could slip into, but positioning myself to put on sox took some effort.  Picking up something off the floor took some thought about how to get down there and then back up.  Don't drop stuff!

- Kate

When I was cleared to go home, I couldn't stand for very long without feeling a lot of pressure and just weak. When I got the the airport to check in, I requested a wheel chair. Because of this I did not have to walk through the airport, and it made a huge difference. They had one waiting for me at my connection and my final destination. I would recommend for anyone traveling home.

Kat

I'm kinda confused on requesting the wheel chair thing.  Do they also supply someone to push you?

Yup, most airports have people who do nothing other than push people in wheel chairs. Often times, they will push you to your gate, and then you are kind of on your own until it's time to board, and then a gate agent will usually push you down the ramp to the plane. It's a great service, and you never have to explain why you need a wheel chair. In fact, in the U.S., it would be illegal for them to ask why you need it. It's the best way to travel through the terminal.

Quote from: katgirl74 on July 21, 2010, 11:13:38 PM
Yup, most airports have people who do nothing other than push people in wheel chairs. Often times, they will push you to your gate, and then you are kind of on your own until it's time to board, and then a gate agent will usually push you down the ramp to the plane. It's a great service, and you never have to explain why you need a wheel chair. In fact, in the U.S., it would be illegal for them to ask why you need it. It's the best way to travel through the terminal.

Yeah I had no issues getting Special Care, the prob i was thinking is passing through those metal detectors having to stand most of the period of time. And collapsing this is mostly the reason of this topic! but Toronto is awesome for wheeling you around.

Not exactly the answer to your question, but it may provide some insight nonetheless.

My surgery was performed in Thailand, so I was recupperating with extreme heat, monsoons, etc.

I had rented an apartment while I was there, did all my marketing, cooking, etc.for myself.

Then there was the 23 hour flight, with only a re-fueling stop in Japan.

I went by myself, didn't do any wheel-chairs through the various terminals.

Basically, by the time I returned to work I was "battle-hardened". 

Sara honey your animation is making me dizzy lol It's like what my eyes were doing when I was in the hospital on vicodin