Re: Myo recovery...how long???

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I think a lot of women probably are able to go back to work sooner

than 6 weeks, but it's probably best to plan on being out for the

full 6 weeks.

My ab myo was 2/19....I probably would have been ready to return to

work at about 3 weeks post myo. As it is, I am a stay at home Mom

with a toddler & was able to resume caring for her myself at about 2

1/2 weeks post surgery.

My Dr. didn't want me to drive for 2 weeks post surgery, which was

probably a good thing. She said it was partly b/c of pain meds

(which I stopped using 3 days after surgery) and partly b/c of the

need to get used to moving with the incision.

The best advice I can give you to speed up your recovery is to go

into the surgery healthy & positive....after surgery, do your best

to get up & moving asap...it will be painful & difficult the first

times you do anything but keep at it. Use the pain meds when you

need them, especially the first days & before the first time you get

up, etc. On the other hand, don't overdo it - listen to your body -

rest often after your surgery & accept help from your family &

friends (house chores, cooking, errands, etc.). If you feel you are

overexerting yourself, slow down.

As far as diet, I don't think a little chicken soup will hurt you.

If you eat healthy you will heal faster.

I wish you a speedy recovery! Keep us posted on how you do.

~Cindy

[Guest guest]

:

I'm glad to share my story with you. I am 33 and had an abdominal myo on April

2-Friday. When I woke up in recovery, I was in pain and they gave me 2 shots.

I was taken to my room and I was alert. On Sat. the nurse helped me get up to

shower. It was difficult and painful to get up, but not impossible. I walked

slowly during that day. On Sun. I was sent home. I never asked for more pain

killers. It hurt, but it wasn't unbearable. I went up stairs to go to my room

and I had no problems. For me, the worst day was Sat-getting out of bed. Other

than that, I've been feeling well. I drove during my 3rd week. I took 4 weeks

off work. I think I could have gone back this week, but I stayed home to finish

some things on my thesis. Take it easy and rest. During the first days, I ate

soft food because I heard that a bowel movement could be painful. I had no

problem. My surgery lasted for 2 hours. They removed 13 fibroids and

endometriosis. My uterus was cut open in 7

different places-so, it was major. Try to keep a positive attitude. I think

that helped me. I bought nice robes for the hospital and I always wore lipstick

to help me feel better. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have further

questions. Jackie

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Recoveries varied depend on many variables. I was lucky with my

recovery. I am 47, had a myo, stayed in the hospital 2 days, and went

back to work 2 weeks after the surgery. I have an easy job though, just

sit around all days and take slow walks. Actually I worked from home

after one week because I was bored. I had little pain the first couple

days home, and after that I tossed out the medicine.

To speed up your recovery: When you are in the hospital, as soon as you

are able, get up from the bed and take little steps. That will be the

beginning of your recovery. When you are at home, rest, eat, and take

small, slow walks. Pamper yourself and think of all the wonderful

vacations you will make. Let your friends and relatives know that you

welcome home cook meals from them. Think positive thoughts.

Incision: Keep it absolutely dry. If keloid scars run in your family,

try applying Mederma or Scar Zone. They have onion extract and will

help prevent keloid scarring. Most people have just a fine red line

after one month of surgery, and after one year, it will be very hard

even for you to notice the scar. I used vitamin E. Not sure if it

helped, but I like to believe that it did.

Driving: I drove my husband to the airport (20 minute drive) after one

week of surgery. It was okay. If you can avoid, don't do it. I took

my time getting in and out of the car and made sure that I was not in

any situation that forced me to make sudden move.

Food: any healthy food that you enjoy will do. I love chicken soup. If

you live alone, make your meals in advance and freeze them before the

surgery. Coordinate with your neighbors about grocery shopping.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Hi,

When you go back to work depends on your job. If you don't do physical work with

lifting, around 4 weeks, maybe a little sooner. WALKING after surgery helps you

to heal. Driving 5-7 days after surgery. Add a small glass of cranberry juice to

your diet before surgery and after. It will keep your kidneys, bladder and UT

" clean " from bacteria. May help you avoid a infection. Ask for something in your

IV to settle your stomach during surgery. This can help with any nausea after

surgery. Don't be afraid to ask for pain meds. I'd get the bandage off your

incision ASAP. The day you get home. Use alcohol to do this. It tends to pull

and mine made blisters around the edges of the bandage. I was in a lot less pain

after removing the bandage.

I went home the day after surgery. Walked and went up stairs the next day. Four

weeks later I drove 850 miles, a long trip. I only regret not having my myo

sooner.

You got to remember that some women have other health problems like diabetes and

are slower to heal. Anemia can make you slower to heal.

Good luck with your surgery!

Ku

heather bigelow heatherbig@...> wrote:

I have fibroids (no heavy bleeding, just debilitating

cramps) and possibly, some endometriosis and am

scheduled to have a myo 5/10/04 (pre-op is 5/3/04). I

was wondering how long recovery was. I know it varies

from person to person, but could any of you go back to

work before 6 weeks??? What about driving? Any

advice on speeding up the recovery process? Anything

I can do now to assure a speedy recovery?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I recovered quickly enough that if I was employed I probably could

have gone back to work in two weeks..depending on the type of work..I

did tire easily for about 2-months and took a nap around 4 pm every

day...was also way bored staying home.

I made a big mistake and ate pizza, chocolate, all kinds of tex mex

that affected my recovery later on big time. Follow the bland diet

recommendations. I have not changed my diet to avoid future fibroids

but was gleefully doing hamburgers for breakfast to avoid the

recommended iron pills.

I didn't drive for two weeks because I was nagged at home about it.

When I finally escaped to GP he said just don't break hard. He

thought the 2-week no driving thing was nonsense.

Had myo in late Nov. and it feels great to do yard work finally but

for everyday I feel like normal-I'm wiped out the next day so a myo

in spring has to be better off recovery wise cause you'll want to be

doing a little more earlier on.

Best wishes, Jan G

[Guest guest]

I went back to work (I'm a technical writer) two weeks after my myo. I went

home the day after the myo and walked up two flights of stairs (12 steps).

I worked from home for two weeks, then resumed commuting. My doctor told me

not to drive for two weeks after my myo. He said that I could pick up my

20-pound daughter right after the myo.

Here are some things you can do to help speed up recovery from a myomectomy:

* Walk as soon as possible after your surgery. This helps with digestion,

circulation, and clearing your head of anesthesia.

* Use only as much pain medication as you need. If you use a lot of pain

medication, your head will be fuzzy longer, your digestive system will be

sluggish and constipated, and you may be more nauseous than you would

otherwise.

* Think positive. I really believe it's true that it helps to go into

surgery with the belief that you are strong, you can handle whatever

happens, and you will recover quickly. I went in thinking that I wasn't

going to spend even one more night in the hospital than I had to, and I

ended up spending only one night there. I can't emphasize enough the power

of going in to surgery with the attitude that you will take the bull by the

horns.

* Keep focused on the future. The weeks approaching a myo are scary, and

the days right afterward will be somewhat uncomfortable and sometimes

painful. But keep thinking about the fact that once the myo is over, you

will be fibroid-free, and 4-6 weeks after the surgery, you will feel like

yourself again.

Cheryl

________________

heather bigelow heatherbig@...> wrote:

I have fibroids (no heavy bleeding, just debilitating

cramps) and possibly, some endometriosis and am

scheduled to have a myo 5/10/04 (pre-op is 5/3/04). I

was wondering how long recovery was. I know it varies

from person to person, but could any of you go back to

work before 6 weeks??? What about driving? Any

advice on speeding up the recovery process? Anything

I can do now to assure a speedy recovery?