Physical limits post-op?

[Aggie1]

If you were physically active pre-op, what sorts of limits have you experienced post-op? I enjoy going for long walks with my dog, usually 4-5 miles a day but sometimes 10-20. On my bucket list are hikes like the Appalachian Trail. Has anyone post/op experienced a weakened walking or exercise libido, or found that their physical capacity is diminished?

[VickySGV]

I was given the instruction by three doctors when I was first Post-op, to carefully listen to my body and let good healthy things happen in response.  For the first few months, walking on un-even ground did give some "thrills" that I could have done without, but after all internal sutures had dissolved (about 18 months) I have had no problems related to my surgery.  Two doctors did make the teasing joke not to go IN more than half way to be sure I had the ability to go OUT on my own, and we chuckled.  Big point really LISTEN TO YOUR OWN BODY and let it tell you what to do. 18 months after my surgery I went to a Trans Spiritual Retreat in North Carolina and we walked a couple miles on the AT to a ceremony site and jokingly claimed we had hiked the WIDTH of the trail.

[Jackie C.]

1 hour ago, AgnesBardsie said:

Has anyone post/op experienced a weakened walking or exercise libido, or found that their physical capacity is diminished?

 

I was a little wobbly for a couple months after my surgery, but six months later? Pretty much 100% capacity. Honestly I'm healthier now than I was then.

 

Hugs!

[Aggie1]

1 hour ago, VickySGV said:

jokingly claimed we had hiked the WIDTH of the trail.

Good one!

[Aggie1]

1 hour ago, Jackie C. said:

I'm healthier now than I was then.

Good to know. Thanks!

[KathyLauren]

My recovery has been rocky.  For a long time, 1 km was my limit for walking.  I can now (18 months post-op) do 8 or 9 km in one day, but I feel it for the next few days.

 

In my younger days, I used to enjoy 20 or 30-km hikes in the Rocky Mountains, so it burns me up not to be able to be physically active.  It has been a couple of decades since I did that kind of hiking, but still, there is a significant reduction in my fitness post-op.

 

A big problem is flexibility.  Anything that involves squatting or bending is painful.  I spent all day framing a floor in our greenhouse, so it was all squatting and bending.  Ouch!  I got smart and used knee pads to avoid squatting as much as possible, but still...

[Aggie1]

2 hours ago, KathyLauren said:

It has been a couple of decades since I did that kind of hiking, but still, there is a significant reduction in my fitness post-op

So sorry to hear this. I read your story about your long journey to see your doctor and getting his diagnosis in 20 minutes that there was nothing wrong with the surgery. No tests?? no referrals?? No way!! You deserve better than that! I’m so glad you’re investigating the symptoms independently. Hope they get to the bottom of it!
 

Just wondering? How common are these side effects which might not get reported where someone is reluctant to speak out because everyone else is euphoric? I want to go into this fully informed with both eyes wide open. It’s probably a year out for me.