Just for the Open DSers.

Question: How long did it take you to be able to move without pain from the incision site? I mean bending etc... Why about the stiffness in the incision area, does it ever soften up get better return to normal?

I was stiff, sore and uncomfortable for probably 6 weeks or so. Then, gradually everything went back to normal.

I had almost no discomfort 3 days after surgery. I was careful and not get bumped into while out and about. I got tired easier but I was not stiff and had very little post-op pain. Was out sight seeing and shopping within 3-4 days.

 

week or so i guess,  I remember playing with my j tube more than the incision. which is completely invisible now. 2 YEARS out 

I was off pain meds altogether in about 2 weeks.  It was uncomfortable and maybe pulled a little at times, but pain was next to nothing.  It was all the stuff they did inside that had the biggest impact.  I was very listless for around 6 weeks.

I got tired easily for the first 6 weeks,  and I was ultra careful with movement that might stress the incision site. Otherwise I was up and about  4 days after surgery.

 

Incision site is soft and bendable now, at nearly 4 years out, but I have the tendency toward hyperpigmentation, so it is dark.

I needed a full 6 weeks.  A binder (which you can get from your surgeon) and a heating pad were my best helps.

Yeah been wearing the binder and it helps but sometimes it makes things worse. Only hurts when I bend past a certain degree so it's tolerable but strangely it didn't hurt at all in the beginning. Whereas now, 3 mos later it hurts sometimes.

Well, things got a LOT better after day ten---and I seriously think it was because I took a laughing fit, laughed so hard I cried. I was on the computer, and I got ticked. My mom came back there and asked "Are you laughing, or crying?" and I said "Both".

The point is, I really exercised those muscles. I'd been being really cautious, because every movement HURT. But when I ticked, I couldn't help myself.

About 18 months later I had a hernia repair (done lap), and had a similar experience. I REALLY think it was the good belly-laugh that did it!

Any open DSers do physical therapy following surgery to rebuild muscle tone etc? I am debating the next step.