What does walk walk walk sip sip sip really mean?

It's always given as advice. I tried it, it didn't work. Walking is not easy when in pain and pain drugs make it hard to walk. I just want to sleep.

I'm home and alive and walking as much as I can but sleep is nice and doesn't hurt.

How much did you really walk? like how many steps are we talking here?

I'm confident that pain will stop soon but holy crap this walking thing isn't very easy whilst on oxy which isn't really doing much for this pain. Make it stop!

Walking gets your body moving and helps clear the anesthetic from your body, it also helps to prevent blood clots in the legs after surgery, it helps, to get the gas out because gas pain after surgery can be awful.  
The water helps with dehydration, with helping you get more energy and they want to see that you can handle drinking before the release you from the hospital.

You don't have to walk far, just try to walk often.  lying down for too long can lead to complications like blood clots.  Hope this helps, this is what I was told by the nurses. 

I can only speak from my very recent experience...the less oxy the better!

I took oxy when I felt pain, but felt so much more like myself once I was just on one before bed, and then eventually didn't need them! I think I was given 30, and still have about 15 left.

I found long walks boring, annoying...etc Short walks were perfect for me. I did connect the gas being released to walking until about a week later, I realized "oh everyone is actually right, walking does help". I thought maybe I was the exception. I wasn't.

I am so sorry you are in pain and hope it gets better soon!

Mini walks and my afternoon naps during the first week and a half home were key (I think).

Agreed!!!    I stopped Oxys and felt a million times better.   You have to walk as ppl have mentioned to get the gas out.   Once its gone your golden.   Im 1 week post op and feel amazing thanks to walk and sip.  

I did laps of my first floor during my first two weeks post-op...kitchen, dining room, living room loop. (It also gave me things to hold on to as needed.) I would do a lap or two every 30 to 60 minutes when I was awake. Usually coincided with trips to the bathroom.

It will get better...trust me.

Tammy :)

Pain meds cause painful constipation for me, I tried to avoid taking it after the first day, but YMMV. As others have said, walking helps get the body (and gas!)  moving. I found that walking would disperse the pain from my tummy to my shoulders, and then eventually it went away completely. I wish you the best of luck, but once you're past the first few days it's generally smooth sailing. Be well!

When I had my second Cesarian I found walking helped get me on the mend faster. So when I had my RNY I cruised the halls in the hospital. Yes I would sleep but I found walking helped with the pain. I used very little pain meds when I got home. The walking does not need to be miles just means o keep moving and not just sleep and sit

Good luck

Thanks everyone. I'm feeling a bit better today. I guess I was just hoping to come out of surgery feeling awesome from the get go. I have high hopes that I'll be back to my old self by my one week surgeversary on Tuesday.

I ate some yogurt this morning and took all my meds and vits. today is the day I start this routine being my first full day at home.

Wishing you a speedy recovery. Hang in there :)

So many good replies!  Welcome to the other side :) 

Once I was home after the hospital stint, I only walked around my backyard.  I honestly didn't want to go anywhere that required putting a bra on.  I also stopped to oxy pdq, especially after seeing a giraffe in the house.  I brought the rest back to the pharmacy.  lol.  Just walk at your own pace.  A little here, a little there.  You don't want to pu**** as it could set back your recovery.  I found that out the hard way (hence taking 2 oxy and feeling loopy).  I'm just over 3 weeks out and I'm getting between 4,000 and 10,000 steps in per day.  Some days I veg and sleep, get a short walk in, or like today I got 2 big walks in.  One thing I've been told by wise people is to not compare your journey to anyone elses.  You're journey is just as much an individual as you are.  Just do what feels good.