Discharge to Week 2
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General Guidelines:
No Lifting > 10 lbs.
No Kegels
No Sexual Intercourse
No Strenuous Physical Activities
No Driving ~ 1-2 weeks
Avoid Household Chores
Avoid standing for >30 minutes
Avoid Bending at the waist
TIPS FOR HEALING:
Rest: Take 20-30 minute naps. Resting frequently during the first couple of weeks supports healing, especially if you’re experiencing fatigue or low energy.
Sleep: Use a bolster or place a pillow under your knees if sleeping on your back, or a pillow/blanket between your legs if sleeping on your side.
Suggestion for Bolster: Forias Wedge Pillow for Sleeping 12" Bed Wedge Pillow
Straining: Follow your provider’s recommended bowel regimen to prevent straining during bowel movements.
Drink plenty of water to help with movement of bowels
No lifting >10 lbs.
Driving: Avoid driving for about one to two weeks, or until you’re no longer taking narcotics. Practice in your neighborhood to assess your comfort with turning your head and braking.
Incision Care: Click here for tips on early incision care or scroll to the bottom of the page.
Movement and Exercise: For Guidance on Safe Movement and Exercise, see videos below.
Movement Techniques:
Transitional Movements:
When moving between positions, such as from sitting to standing, rolling over in bed, or getting out of a car, use the technique "blow as you go."
-Begin exhaling as if blowing through a narrow straw, and continue this breath throughout the entire movement.
Coughing:
Place pillow along your lower abdominal wall, bring your hand to your mouth (not shown in video), keep head upright and cough.
Log Roll:
Lie on Your Back: Start by lying flat on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the bed.
Turn Your Body as a Unit: To roll onto your side, bend your knees slightly, then slowly roll your body as a single unit, keeping your shoulders, hips, and knees aligned. Avoid twisting or rotating your torso separately from your hips.
Use Your Arms for Support: Once you’re on your side, place your hands on the mattress to help push yourself up. Let your arm closest to the bed press into the mattress as you bring your legs off the bed.
Push to a Sitting Position: While lowering your legs over the edge, press through your arms to push your upper body into an upright, seated position.
Adjust and Stand: Once sitting, take a moment to ensure you’re stable, then use your legs and arms to stand up safely.
Additional Movement Techniques
Stairs: use handrails (if possible), go slowly (no running up or down stairs)
Walking Routine: Move every 1-2 hours, you can start walking around the house
Exercises:
Diaphragmatic Breathing
Begin lying on your back with your knees bent and feet resting on the floor or you can place your knees over a pillow.
Inhale, allowing your chest and abdominal wall expand. Exhale allowing your chest and abdominal wall to recoil to the starting position.
Towel roll with breathing
Begin lying with your knees bent and a rolled towel positioned vertically along the middle of your back.
Placed your hands on your chest and abdominal wall and perform the diaphragmatic breathing. You can also outstretch your arms and hold.
Ankle Pumps
Begin lying on your back with your feet elevated.
Slowly pump your ankles by bending and straightening them. You can also perform ankle circles.
Heel slides
Begin lying on your back with your legs bent.
Slowly slide one heel on the floor and return. Keep trunk steady, alternate to the other leg and repeat.
Try not to twist your body or arch your low back.
Seated Knee Extensions
Begin sitting upright position.
Slowly straighten one knee, hold and then lower it back o the starting position.
Backstrokes
Being laying on your back. You can keep your legs straight or bent.
Extend one arm straight overhead, moving it towards the floor. Hold, then bring it back to the starting position and repeat with your other arm.
Additional Tips:
Movements to Avoid
Bending at the waist
General household work (vacuuming, emptying dishwasher, picking up dog poop, lifting a stack of dishes overhead)
No lifting >10 lbs.
Minimize cooking (no long meal prep, lifting heavy pots/pans)
Standing for longer than 30 minutes
Incision Care
Manage swelling: ice 2-3 times a day for 15 minutes over a towel
Keep incision dry to reduce risk of infection