Surgery date

[SC25]

Well they just rung me with my date for surgery its next Thursday 29th with a preop on Tuesday how do i feel terrified. It all seems to be happening so quickly it will be just over 5 weeks since i first went to the dr i know it is a full laparotomy so i was just wondering how long others took to recover and get back to work.

[gls2824]

My surgery is the 29th also.  I will think hopeful, groggy thoughts for us both!

[SC25]

thank you to everybody for the advice will let you know how it goes.

[TrudieC]

I had a vertical laparotomy last June.  I was off work 6 weeks but felt really good in the last 2 weeks.  You need to treat your recovery like a mini vacation and consider it "me" time.  Get your reading materials together, movies you want to rent, get food cooked ahead and ensure you have someone (not sure if you're married or not) to drive you as most doctors won't let you drive for the first 3 - 4 weeks.  Rest is the name of the game.  One day you'll feel good and overdo it and then you will be zonked for a couple of days.  No housework that involves lifting or twisting or pushing.  I found having a big pillow to hug when I slept was really good for me.  

[justscore]

Glad you are getting this over soon!  REST!!!!  Let people take care of you, don't do too much.  It is important to get up and move but at a slow pace.  Make sure you keep your bowels moving.  My doc had me take milk of magnesia because I learned the hard way after my 3rd surgery.............  
Remember the insides take longer to heal!  Even if you feel like doing more stuff, be careful and take the 6weeks off.
Keep us updated and hope all goes well!

Heidi

[babypooh]

Recovery for a laparatomy can be from 4 to 6 weeks or around there. For me, recovery was super speedy and compared to my c-section from 4 years ago, it was a breeze :) I was up and walking around when I came home. Of course, you shouldn't do what I did and you should get lots of rest, but everyone is different. Just listen to your body and rest when you need to. Lots of rest! You'll be in the hospital for a couple of days and you should ask for enough time off work. I say 6 weeks and if you are ready before, then go back to work. It's better to ask for more time and go back before then than to ask for less time and then ask for more. It just looks better :) Good luck! I'm so glad they scheduled you in so soon! Don't worry; you'll be okay :) Will keep you in my prayers!