Walking?

[ouroborous 519]

I was thinking about my post-op recovery this morning, and I realized something.

I am scheduled for surgery on a Thursday. I'm off work that day and the next, and then I have the weekend. So for that time, I have nothing I'm supposed to be doing except my immediate recovery.

For the next week, I'm working from home (as a programmer, I'm lucky enough to be able to do that occasionally). However, the week after that, I'm back to work. From what I understand, I should be pretty much mentally back in the game within a few days, it will just be physically challenging for me.

Thinking back on my girlfriend's recovery from lap sleeve (she was sleeved last November), she was REALLY tired and unable to walk long distances for quite a while... nearly a month. Where I park is about a half mile -- up a steep hill -- from where I work. Am I going to have a problem hoofing it up this steep hill a week and a half after my surgery? Will I have enough stamina for this?

I'm brainstorming alternatives if it's a problem. I'm not sure if my boss will let me extend my "work from home" duration, so if the hill climb is too much, maybe I can carpool or something.

I was just curious what your experiences of your stamina were about a week to a week and a half after surgery. Am I setting myself up for failure?

[5150sleeve 0]

Hey there. I think you should take a stab at it. At least try it and see if it's too much. Don't just write it off as something you don't think you can do. I know everyone's body is different and everyone's recovery is different, so just see how you feel. I personally had a lot of energy immediately after surgery, no pain. I went back to work 4 days after surgery and was at the gym 5 days after surgery walking on the tredmill. My progress took off pretty quick, I only stayed on walking for a little while and soon went into jogging and other cardio. I love the feeling of pushing myself and getting it done. I think you'll be happy if you push yourself for that half mile walk, BTW would start your exercising regimine off wonderfully Just maybe give yourself a little extra time than normal before work so that if you need to take breaks you can. I'm rooting for you!!!:thumbup1:

Edited April 14, 2010 by 5150sleeve

[ouroborous 519]

Thanks, Faith! I think I'll give it a try. Better to start with the attitude that I "might" be able to do it than I "can't" do it, right?

Worst case scenario is it takes me a lot longer!

[5150sleeve 0]

Exactly!!! I love it! That's the right attitude to have. I can't wait to hear how you murdered that short walk:001_tongue:

[MINI-Me 196]

I say plan to try, but have a back-up plan. I would feel fine at first, and then be extremely tired the next minute.

For a back-up plan, do you have handicapped parking closer to your building? If so, your surgeon could write a letter for a temporary handicap pass for the first month. My doctor did this for me when I was recovering from lung surgery a few years ago & it was literally a lifesaver!

[ouroborous 519]

That's a REALLY good idea. If my surgeon is willing to write that letter, do you know where I go for the actual handicapped tags? The DMV/DOL?

[MINI-Me 196]

I just had to take the letter to a local DOL and they issued a temp tag for my rearview mirror.

[lauramomof3 2]

yea give it a try. the first week if the worst. i would have my family members take me to wal-mart to walk around. i started with 15-20 min then increased it. i would be tired but by the time i went back to work i was good. of course i didn't go back to work til i was 4 weeks out because my husband had surgery 3 weeks after i did. good luck

[seaview 2]

I was sleeved 6 days ago and i am pretty darn weak... I walk in the evening with my husband at home so he can catch me if i fall...lol...i'm too afraid to go out alone in the neighborhood...but during the day i walk in place in my living room and watch tv...i just set my phone for 15 minutes and walk in place and then rest and then do it again later...it's really going to take some improvising but it's not like the old days when nothing was possible...you will make it work..good luck.seaview

[girldep 0]

I say you should try. I felt pretty good after my surgery and honestly going back to work was the best thing on the world for me. Since then I have felt sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good! Btw Im a little over 3 weeks out.

[ouroborous 519]

Well I'm probably going to try to walk it, but I'm also going to try to stack the deck and get a temporary disabled permit like MINI-me suggested.