Re: Questions About Recovery

[Guest guest]

I had my surgery yesterday and just posted the experience so far. I

guess every case and doctor is different, but so far it has gone

better for me than either myself or the doc anticipated, especially

considering the size of the thing. Given your sons age, he will

hopefully do as well or better.

[Guest guest]

>

> Can anyone advise me about how much pain my son will be in after

> surgery and for how long? Is the pain severe or mild?

>

> The surgery is on a Wednesday. Do you think he would be able to

go

> back to school in a few days or longer? How many days did you

stay

> home? We had hoped for a summer surgery, but the waiting list is

very

> long. We've known about this since June. It's unfortunate that he

has

> to miss school.

>

I had an operation to remove a c-toma on the first day back to

school in september 2003, & being a teacher, it wasn't ideal!!

I remember that the pain following the operation was minimal, but I

was given painkillers anyhow, which probably helped somewhat.

As far as recovery time goes, I was recommended a minimum 2 weeks to

stay at home - I took 3 weeks off initially, as my balance was so

bad, went back to work for 1 week, but took another week off as I

still felt feeble. Given that your son is that much younger, I would

think he'll be fine after 2 weeks, but I guess that'll depend on how

far the c-toma has developed & how good his recovery is. best of

luck!

[Guest guest]

kids bounce back better than adults. For an adult, depending on the surgery, the average is about a week. Unable to drive etc. As for your son he will probably be able to go to school. If anything he will want to protect his ear so it doesn't get hit by a ball or anything. The initial pain is probably in the first 48-36 hours after surgery. Tylenol usually works. Kids don't dwell on things like us bigger kids. Don't worry too much, you are doing the right thing and everything will be fine. kyravapa6 <kyravapa6@...> wrote: Can anyone advise me about how much pain my son will be in after surgery and for how long? Is the pain severe or mild?The surgery is on a Wednesday. Do you think he would be able to go back to school in a few days or longer? How many days did you stay home? We had hoped for a summer surgery, but the waiting list is very long. We've known about this since June. It's unfortunate that he has to miss school.

Stay in the know. Pulse on the new .com. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

I think the pain depends on the person. I have had the surgery three

times (I just had surgery this past Wednesday, and so far, this was

the one with the least amount of pain). The first time was

horrendous, the second not so bad. Best of luck - I hope there is not

too much pain. I am usually out of the office about a week - mainly

because I can't drive, so I work from home.

>

> Can anyone advise me about how much pain my son will be in after

> surgery and for how long? Is the pain severe or mild?

>

> The surgery is on a Wednesday. Do you think he would be able to go

> back to school in a few days or longer? How many days did you stay

> home? We had hoped for a summer surgery, but the waiting list is

very

> long. We've known about this since June. It's unfortunate that he

has

> to miss school.

>

[Guest guest]

I think it defintely depends on the person, the surgeon, the

severness, and the age of the patient. I had the surgery 4 times all

around the age of 23 and I was off work for 3 weeks. I couldn't even

walk well for a week. My cholesteatoma was extremely aggressive and

invasive though, so perhaps the surgery could be much easier to

recover from.

I wouldn't plan on being back to school within a week or two at least.

Especially with the risk of infection, etc. PLus, the drugs for the

pain make you very drowsy and in coherrent at times. Don't plan for

the worst, but be prepared for a longer recovery time than expected so

that you're not shocked afterwards. As for pain, make sure he doesn't

miss his meds so that you can maintain and monitor the pain. Even

missing an hour between doses can make a huge difference. Maintaining

the pain is much easier than fighting it head on each time the meds

wear off- i found this extremely helpful in managaing the pain, even

if he feels better, make sure he takes the meds every 4 hours on the

nose (or whatever the time length is).

Good luck, I'm sure it will go great.

>

> Can anyone advise me about how much pain my son will be in after

> surgery and for how long? Is the pain severe or mild?

>

> The surgery is on a Wednesday. Do you think he would be able to go

> back to school in a few days or longer? How many days did you stay

> home? We had hoped for a summer surgery, but the waiting list is

very

> long. We've known about this since June. It's unfortunate that he

has

> to miss school.

>

[Guest guest]

my son, Miles, who is now 6, had ctoma surgery in January. His surgery was just under 6 hours, very large ctoma, all hearing bones gone and 98% of his eardrum had to be taken. His was on a monday and we were told to keep him home from school until the following Monday at a minimum. The first 3 days were kind of tough, he refused the pain meds so only took chldren's tylenol and did OK. By Friday he was asking if he could go to school and not go to recess. We declined but did increase activity over the weekend and he went back to school on Monday. We had tons of contact with the school and they knew he couldn't get his ear wet, couldn't get hit in the head if at all possible (they are kindergartners, it happens) ect. 3 weeks ago MIles had his second look surgery and an attempt to position a hearing prostetic. His surgery this time only lasted 3 hours (NO CTOMA found and since his was congenital it shouldn't come back if the surgeon really got it all the first time). 2 days after surgery I was having to bribe him to keep him from getting on the trampoline or taking out his bike or scooter. He felt just fine. A few times in the last 3 weeks he has had a little ear pain, but usually a good snuggle and he is better. I hope your son's surgery goes very well. Joycelyn

[Guest guest]

Hi. Not sure what surgery your son is having and can only really say

that everyone has a different pain threshold so we will all feel

differently after surgery. Speaking from experience I have only

suffered mild pain over a couple of days with the odd 'stabbing'

feeling behind the ear where the incision was made.

I have previously been signed off from work for 2 weeks following

surgery and believe this should be a suitable amount of time - not too

long or too short. What you need to remember is that ear surgery

messes with the balance as well as other kinds of things within the

head. It can make you feel unstable, nauseous and it's possible to

have problems with the nerves afterwards.

Yes, I agree that it is unfortunate that your son has to miss school

but it is vital that he is given enough time to recover from this

surgery properly and given lots of TLC in the meantime. A bit of time

now can save a lot more time later!

I hope his surgery goes well.

>

> Can anyone advise me about how much pain my son will be in after

> surgery and for how long? Is the pain severe or mild?

>

> The surgery is on a Wednesday. Do you think he would be able to go

> back to school in a few days or longer? How many days did you stay

> home? We had hoped for a summer surgery, but the waiting list is

very

> long. We've known about this since June. It's unfortunate that he

has

> to miss school.

>

[Guest guest]

My daughter had her first surgery (in Sept.

2002) when she was 5 years old. Surgery was on a Wednesday, she stayed home

from school Thu/Fri, and finished recuperating on Sat/Sun. She returned to

school on Monday. She took Tylenol the first day after surgery and that was

it. No pain, no dizziness, very little drainage…she bounced right back.

She had a second surgery in July 2004.

She was ready to go outside and play with her friends within 2 days. It seems

that the children recover much more quickly, but I agree that it varies

case-by-case.

From: cholesteatoma [mailto:cholesteatoma ] On Behalf Of kyravapa6

Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006

7:33 PM

cholesteatoma

Subject: Questions

About Recovery

Can anyone advise me about how much pain my son will

be in after

surgery and for how long? Is the pain severe or mild?

The surgery is on a Wednesday. Do you think he would be able to go

back to school in a few days or longer? How many days did you stay

home? We had hoped for a summer surgery, but the waiting list is very

long. We've known about this since June. It's unfortunate that he has

to miss school.

[Guest guest]

My son also seemed to have surgeries at the beginning of a school

year. Both doctors that did the surgery told me it would be a week to

10 days recovery. On 4 of the 5 surgeries he was usually better in 5-7

days, but we would wait till the following Monday to give him that

extra weekend. His surgeries were usually on a Thursday.

As far as pain, he didn't need the pain killer the doctor prescribed.

He just took Tylenol.

If you have any general questions (not the doctor type), I am home

during the day and check my check my e-mail often. Please don't

hesitate to write. kaoconnell@...

Good Luck with everything!

Kathy

[Guest guest]

Dear Coca ... everyone is different ... If you are in good shape, like

you say, your recovery time may be way less. Some people are 'normal'

within 4-6 weeks.

I had two hip replacements within 3 months... it is now 9 months later

from the second one and I finally gave up the cane for the most part.

Steps are still very hard - but I could barely walk before the

surgeries. As a result my muscles were all torn/twisted/scarred. And, I

never realized how much we depend on our 'butt' muscles to get us going!

I cannot sit in a bathtub & get out again. I can however, kneel on the

floor and pull myself up with a chair.

My big hurrah is I can now walk up our steep, gravel driveway to the

mailbox. I've learned to be gratedful for the little things...

My Doctor asked me after the 2nd surgery whether I was happy about the

surgeries. I couldn't say yes then... but now as I am on the other side

of recovery, I am definitely glad I did it.

Yes, it is a scarry, invasive surgery. The results for me, though, have

been worth it. Blessings to you.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

If your surgery goes well you should be ok. I would recommend going

to a rehab center after the hospital so you can feel confident in

what you need to do to go home. That is alot of steps but if you do

them just once a day (twice at most to start)I was able to do steps

when I got home which was 8 days after surgery(3 hospital,5 rehab)

you should be alright. I think most all doctors will tell you no

driving for 6 weeks because in most vehicles you will break any hip

restrictions you are given. I think a shower is much more advisable

for the 6 weeks also for the same reasons as the car. Walking the dog

should come back quickly as long as you dont have a dog that wont

PULL you along. That could be dangerous. I had 2 surgeries within 9

months on the same leg due to femoral stem loosening so dont be

afraid...but be concerned and ask the doctor any and all things you

are concerned about. I wish you the best of luck.

Rich.

>

> I am really anxious to hear about how you all recovered after

sugery

> with the different types of surgery you had!!! I live by myself

and I

> am in fairly good shape because I work out at the gym. I can

workout

> better then walk:)LOL But, I want to know after any of you had

your

> particular surgery, how long was it before you did steps? I have a

2

> story house that I bought 5 years ago, and this whole situation of

> having my hip surgery happened suddenly. I have 13 steps going up

to

> the second floor and the first floor only has a powder room. Also,

> when could you drive. My bad leg is my left leg; right leg is good.

> When would I be allowed to sit and get in and out of bathtub??

When

> could I dance to the oldies?:)LOL I like to bowl; when could I get

> back to it? When could I walk my dog??

> I have had a lot of different surgeries in recent years, and I

can't

> tell you that I am not terrified of all of this. For some reason I

am

> more scared of this surgery then MORE serious surgeries that I have

had.

> Cocoa

>

[Guest guest]

I've been through two hip replacements a year apart. Six weeks after replacing the right, I was driving, and I was able to manage stairs with the aid of a pair of forearm (Canadian) crutches before I was discharged from the hospital 5 days after surgery.

For the left, I was driving 3 weeks after surgery (automatic) and going up stairs again before being discharged from the hospital 4 days after surgery.

I'm a " shower person " , not bath, so I couldn't tell you about that.

- RTHR, 2003; LTHR, 2004

On 8/19/07, mistycocoamo <mistycocoamo@...> wrote:

I am really anxious to hear about how you all recovered after sugery with the different types of surgery you had!!! I live by myself and I am in fairly good shape because I work out at the gym. I can workout

better then walk:)LOL But, I want to know after any of you had your particular surgery, how long was it before you did steps? I have a 2 story house that I bought 5 years ago, and this whole situation of having my hip surgery happened suddenly. I have 13 steps going up to the second floor and the first floor only has a powder room. Also, when could you drive. My bad leg is my left leg; right leg is good.When would I be allowed to sit and get in and out of bathtub?? When could I dance to the oldies?:)LOL I like to bowl; when could I get back to it? When could I walk my dog?? I have had a lot of different surgeries in recent years, and I can't tell you that I am not terrified of all of this. For some reason I am more scared of this surgery then MORE serious surgeries that I have had.

Cocoa

[Guest guest]

Have you tried going up & down the stairs sitting down? To go up, you sit on a step & put your hands on the next step, lift yourself using your arms & good leg till you can sit on the next step. Just reverse it to go down. If I get a TKR, this is what I plan to do. I've practiced it & even though I have a shoulder problem, it works for me. (Near the top of the stairs, I use the banister & my good leg to stand up & turn around.)

Ann

Questions About Recovery

I am really anxious to hear about how you all recovered after sugery with the different types of surgery you had!!! I live by myself and I am in fairly good shape because I work out at the gym. I can workout better then walk:)LOL But, I want to know after any of you had your particular surgery, how long was it before you did steps? I have a 2 story house that I bought 5 years ago, and this whole situation of having my hip surgery happened suddenly. I have 13 steps going up to the second floor and the first floor only has a powder room. Also, when could you drive. My bad leg is my left leg; right leg is good.When would I be allowed to sit and get in and out of bathtub?? When could I dance to the oldies?:)LOL I like to bowl; when could I get back to it? When could I walk my dog?? I have had a lot of different surgeries in recent years, and I can't tell you that I am not terrified of all of this. For some reason I am more scared of this surgery then MORE serious surgeries that I have had.Cocoa

[Guest guest]

For people who have arms that are short (like I do, that makes it difficult to go up the stairs the way Ann describes they can try my way. I put one hand on the step behind and one hand on the railing and pull myself up. Because of the angle My short arms hit the stairs I can't really get much strength behind the push, pulling up seems to work quite well for me and might for others as well. My apartment is all on one floor . . . but there are 10 steps up into the yard and another 20 inside before I can actually get where I'm going.

Pat

Have you tried going up & down the stairs sitting down?

[Guest guest]

You will get many different scenarios on this one I'm sure as we are

all individuals. Even if you are in fairly good shape you should do

well but there are sometimes extenuating circumstances. I had my

right hip resurfaced in Feb. of this year. They had me climbing

stairs on day three and I went home that afternoon. But, I was non

weight bearing for three and a half weeks so climbing stairs on a

walker was difficult. Luckily I did not have many to climb at home.

Bathtub sitting may have to wait so you take showers. I love to

dance and was dancing carefully both fast and slow at my son's

wedding seven weeks post op. You will know when you can bowl again

or ask your physical therapist. You will be strengthening those

muscles for a while. Now, the dog walking question has me stumped. I

no longer have dogs but thinking back to the ones I did have, if I

were walking the little mutt I would have been able to within a

month but if it were the 90 pounder he would have had to wait. It

also depends on the dogs behavior, is he a puller or a heeler? You

don't want to be lurched about. Remember you will be getting about

pretty good but moving a lot slower. It will take you twice as long

to get from point A to point B, which is something to keep in mind

when you are lying in bed and have to pee. It is normal to be

anxious about hip surgery but if you can look at the long range

picture a year from now you shouldn't be able to tell which one is

which. You'll be pain free and back to living life.

Deb

>

> I am really anxious to hear about how you all recovered after

sugery

> with the different types of surgery you had!!! I live by myself

and I

> am in fairly good shape because I work out at the gym. I can

workout

> better then walk:)LOL But, I want to know after any of you had

your

> particular surgery, how long was it before you did steps? I have

a 2

> story house that I bought 5 years ago, and this whole situation of

> having my hip surgery happened suddenly. I have 13 steps going up

to

> the second floor and the first floor only has a powder room.

Also,

> when could you drive. My bad leg is my left leg; right leg is

good.

> When would I be allowed to sit and get in and out of bathtub??

When

> could I dance to the oldies?:)LOL I like to bowl; when could I

get

> back to it? When could I walk my dog??

> I have had a lot of different surgeries in recent years, and I

can't

> tell you that I am not terrified of all of this. For some reason

I am

> more scared of this surgery then MORE serious surgeries that I

have had.

> Cocoa

>