First two post-op weeks lying down?

[DonBecker54]

I called Dr. Milam's nurse today with a couple of questions about my January surgery. In the course of the conversation, she said they wanted me in a recliner, on the sofa, or in bed for the first two weeks. I haven't read that here before.

I don't have a recliner, and my sofa would kill my back.

Has anyone else here spent two full weeks on his back?

[dg_moore]

Not even close. I rested a lot in the recliner for the first couple of days and returned to light normal activity after that.

[RelievedofED1]

I did stay relatively immobile on sofa or recliner for two weeks with breaks for my back and only short car rides etc. Absolutely no heavy lifting beyond a half gallon of milk weight. All to avoid swelling and bleeding. Still Ok to move around for breaks from sitting and lying though.

Hope that helps.

[scooter65]

Don:
First of all, you will find that recovery times vary greatly from person to person. I had my surgery 8 days ago (11/30/15). Surgery was Monday, I was released Tuesday morning and on Wednesday I worked a 1/2 day at my regular job, went to a fire call that evening (albeit I am currently on light duty and can't get on a truck until I get the doc to sign off) and then participated in 2-1/2 hours of classroom training for the fire dept. Thursday and Friday of last week I worked approx 7 hours a day (I went home for 2 hours to rest each day). This week I have been working full days without an issue.

I looked at my doc's discharge papers and they read a 10 lb lifting restriction for 3 days and then as tolerated.

I realize that I have been very fortunate thus far but hopefully you will have a speedy recovery as well!

[alibaba]

DonBecker, how did you get hold of someone to ask? I called several times there and can only leave a message. I too have a couple questions for my upcoming the end of Feb. As for the reclining, I have read on several forums that doctors say to stay laid down for anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks to keep from getting scrotal swelling and keep fluid from filling the scrotal sac. Eid says the fluid the can fill in your sack is the best breeding ground for bacteria to cause infection. Scooter, your outcome is AWESOME. My wife and I were discussing it the other day. She says it has to be because you are young, in good shape and healthy. Many of us 15 years older cannot say we meet that healthy criteria. Keep up the awesome recovery and DON'T screw it up! d

[Anonymous 3]

Donbecker

I was not flat on my back for 2 weeks. I did spend much of the first week resting, sitting and doing some light household chores but I hate laying down during the day and never did. I was back teaching my part time evening classes by week 2. I can't honestly say I didn't have some discomfort, but it was manageable. I was driving myself to where I needed to be but did avoid any heavy lifting.

But as scooter65 said, everyone is different. I would say be as active as you feel you can be without getting too tired or too sore. Take your pain meds as needed, You are the best judge of what you can manage and what you can tolerate Good luck with your upcoming procedure..

[DonBecker54]

alibaba, I just called and left a message saying that I had questions. The last time I called with questions, they made me schedule an appointment with Dr. Milam.

I'll stay immobile as much as I can.

[alibaba]

I guess I won't ask any questions if it means a 2 day round trip plus their $434 office visit fee to get an answer then. I do want answers to a couple things before surgery. d

[DonBecker54]

alibaba, I had just seen Dr. Milam, and was driving home. I thought of seven questions I should have asked. I called his office as I was driving to see if he could call when he had a minute. I was told that I could leave a message for his nurse, she would ask the questions of him, give the answers to the receptionist, and the receptionist would call me back. When I called again, I was told that seven questions were too many and I'd have to make another appointment.

It wasn't a two-day round trip, but it took the better part of a day to drive there and back, sit in the waiting area, and then ten minutes to ask the questions.

[alibaba]

Might make me rethink this if there is such poor access to answers. Access to scheduling the surgery has been the poorest of any doctor I've EVER encountered. It takes 6 to 8+ weeks to get an appointment at his clinic. Maybe wife and I need to talk it over and see if we can figure out a way to afford travel to Eid again. He answers emails, does phone calls and several weeks shorter wait to get an implant. Travel and motel expense is the only reason we did not chose Eid to start with. If I could figure out the motel and travel part expense, I could have an implant installed weeks before the surgery date with Milam. 2-3 week wait vs. 13. d