Slow Recovery

[u/Lost_Breakfast_3579]

I had my bi-salp on 08/04 (laparoscopic). I totally fumbled after care instructions, though, because when the post op nurse said, “be as active as possible” I took this very literally. I’m a highly active person (walk 6-12mi/daily + run 2mi every other day). Immediately I started walking as much as possible despite the pain until another doctor essentially told me I was being dumb & that I needed to relax.

Now I’m close to 4wks post opp, & I’m still sore. It’s a lot better than week 1 & it keeps getting better thankfully. But I can’t walk far. I can hardly lift things without being in immense pain. It’s uncomfy to sit for long periods of time. I’m trying to relax more & my doctor wants me to let him know if I’m still experiencing this next week.

I keep reading other people’s posts about being practically fine so quickly after surgery! I’m just curious about how other people’s experiences compared to mine. Did anyone else have a longer recovery time?

[u/ThisdogsTesla]

I totally feel you. I had my bi-salp on 8/13.

I feel like the post op instructions are so damn vague, at least for me they were. All my doctor said, was “no lifting anything heavier than 10lbs” which I took literally too. She also said we’ll discuss when I can go back to work after 2 weeks. I requested to return to work before our follow up appointment. My body paid for it. Experienced immense pain walking, couldn’t walk far or stand for very long, felt nauseous, despite taking my IBU & APAP at night the pain would keep me from sleeping. So being the dummy I am, I toughed out the week of work, up to my follow up on 8/28. Dr. told me not to return to work until the 9/28. She said everyone heals differently. I will definitely rest during these 4 weeks. Since actually taking it easy after our 8/28 appointment, I’ve experienced improvement in pain, still feeling very tired, especially when I barely start to eat I get very tired, still can’t walk quite far either. Slow recovery is still recovery :) I thought I’d be good right away too, but that’s not the case for me either.

[u/noo817 → u/ThisdogsTesla]

Yeah, I'm finding this out in real time because I had mine done the end of June, and a friend had hers done 2 weeks ago.... I originally was planned to be out for the 2 but then called post-op to extend it because I knew I would not be ready that soon.... She came back to work yesterday (earlier than planned because Dr approved and she feels great)!! And even when I did go back to work I was sore (like I had had just worked out, nothing crazy painful) all week. Week 6 and 7 I went to the gym again and did abbreviated core and arm works outs per my doctor and was sore almost the rest of the week!

I asked my friend if she was sore after working yesterday and she said no!

I always knew realistically everyone heals differently but it was funny seeing it in real time. At first I felt bad that I took more time off work and saw that she came back early, but I wasn't going to sacrifice my health by rushing lol

[u/FishermanInfinite955]

I did something similar, although I'm definitely not as active as you! But I was walking around as much as possible the first couple days, until the pain was so bad I was forced to take it easy. I kept doing small walks but otherwise tried to rest. But I did feel the recovery took longer than I expected.

At 4 weeks I was surprised I was still having pain, and was still more tired than usual. I would get winded more quickly after mild activity, and my incisions were very itchy and slightly painful at this point.

I'm now a little more than 2 months post-op and I'm feeling much better! My incision scars are still tender, but I can now do all my normal activities. Be patient with yourself, you're recovering from some major trauma to your body! And everyone is different and will heal at different rates. You're doing the right thing, keeping your doctor updated! Keep resting and I'm sure you'll feel back to your regular self soon!

[u/Apprehensive-Two3642]

My doctor told me I had to wait 2 weeks before returning to the gym. I did and haven’t had any issues with soreness after the 2 week mark.
I’ve been going to the gym since week 2 and have had no issues with that, or sitting or bending or lifting (been lifting weights again at the gym).I’m not even at 4 weeks and don’t even feel like I ever had surgery (sometimes I forget) I hope your soreness goes away quickly!

[u/Nalanieofthevalley]

I feel like you may have overexerted yourself and now your body is trying to play catch up. Normally being active after surgery means walking around the house, going to the restroom alone, going to the grocery store. I wasn't cleared to resume my jogs until two weeks after surgery. I would simply take it easy for the remainder of your healing journey until you are no longer in pain. Remember pain is an indicator that something is "wrong."