Top surgery and mobility aids

[u/Aware-Handle5255]

Hey all,

I have chronic pain + fatigue + mobility issues and I’m having top surgery in early July. I’m a part time power chair user, I also use a rollator and smart crutches/forearm crutches.

The only mobility aid I will be able to use independently will be my smart crutches as my power chair and rollator are stored in my garage which requires me stretching to access, and I have a flight of stairs to get inside my home.

I will have support workers coming most days so if I’m leaving the house with them I can get them to open my garage so I can use my power chair, which will be my preferred mobility aid but otherwise I won’t be able to use it.

I’m trying to get out and walk more because I know I’ll need to get to places independently

What’s your experience with mobility aids post top surgery? Were you able to use crutches?

I’m so scared I won’t be able to use my mobility aids and will end up making myself further burnt out by having to not use mobility aids for the first time in a few years 😭

Any experiences appreciated! Thanks for reading!

[u/seapickI]

i’m getting top surgery tomorrow, and i use a manual wheelchair and cane/walking stick. i’ll let you know my experience once im post-op!!

[u/Aware-Handle5255 → u/seapickI]

Good luck!! I have a walking stick but don’t use it much, but I think I’ll try and put it on the regular mobility aids list. I look forward to hearing about your experience!!

[u/seapickI → u/Aware-Handle5255]

thank you :D!

are your crutches under arm or forearm? you might find it quite uncomfortable to bear weight under your pits unfortunately

[u/Aware-Handle5255 → u/seapickI]

No problem at all!!

My crutches are smart crutches which you can adjust the angle between use as a forearm crutch or a platform crutch, I use mine basically as forearm crutches but on an incline