What does "rest" mean?

I've been pondering this since my 6th month post-op visit last week.  I still am seriously swollen -- more swollen than I was three months ago even -- and I'm going to be one of those people who take forever to stop being swollen, though everything apparently is healing beautifully.

I was told that the swelling was a function of my activity level and I know this is true.  So I was told to "rest more."  

I said ... "Like what, exactly?"

And the answer was (I'm not kidding here):  "Well, like more resting."

I don't know what that means.  I mean really, I have no clue.  It's not a quantifiable or qualitative measure, this "more."  I know I'm not good at resting, but I honestly do not know what that means in terms of what I should be doing.  Sitting all the time?  (can't do that, work on my feet).  Sleeping more?  (I sleep enough, really.)  Spending a month on bedrest?  (husband thought this might be a fun idea, but it's impractical)

Someone clue me in because I'm baffled.  I really am.  

Small breaks during the day where you sit with your feet up.  Try 10 - 20 minutes three times a day (on top of all of your other rest:-))
L.

Is this true?  Because ... you must be kidding me.  

I'm an empirical thinker.  Feet up is ... where?  above my hips?  my head? my heart?  Both feet up at the same time?  Is it resting if I have one up over my shoulder but the other is on the floor?  Howabout if I'm standing, and one foot is up on a chair while I lean on my knee?

If you are saying that I sit with my feet on my desk or something ... I think I can get fired for teaching like that!

To me it means taking chunks of the day that you lay down, elevate your legs and do nothing other than maybe read or watch some TV.
Take a nap if you want (I try not to sleep during the day or I have trouble at night).

When I'm first post-op other than showering I spend all day in bed the first 4 or 5 days (depending on the procedure), for the next week or 2 I spend the majority of the time laying down only getting up to cook meals, shower, and limit the house chores like sweeping, laundry, etc to one task a day.
I think taking it easy plays in part in my healing....usually by week 3 maybe 4 I'm itching to take on the world.

So put your feed up and get some rest!
Feel better.
TTFN
Ruth

Ruthie, I just took a look at your pix -- absolutely an amazing transformation into your true self.  And you always manage to be so utterly gracious, to boot.

I did try "resting" in bed with feet up for about 22 minutes mid-day.  I should probably do that.  I don't know that it helped, but it did give me a lovely stepback moment.  I'm an over-thinker of all kinds of things, but not a relaxed reflective person, and I should take it up, really.

I'm not going to reduce activities -- but actively resting could fit the bill.

I'm very excited for your next step.  I am sure you are, too!

Hi Charming!
About 10 years ago as I mixing it up in the corporate world I completely forgot how to relax!  It's taken me a few years to get the hang of it again.

I have learned from personal experience that making time every day to just lay down flat and put my legs up on a couple of pillows that it helps with my healing and it keeps my swelling down to a real minimum.  I had next to NO swelling after my TT.
Truth be told I didn't do as good a job with laying down and elevating the feet after my butt lift and I've had a harder time with the swelling. 
After my surgery tomorrow I'll spending the next few days in bed so it should help with both the butt and the face....how funny does that sound!!!

Anyhow, I think your plan on "actively resting" is a good one.
Take it easy!
Ruth

PS- I over analyze everything....that's one reason I do so much research on each and every procedure.... I have to make sure I don't get analysis paralysis.  Toodles

I'm with you on the swelling.  I find it very hard to rest myself so I really don't have anything extra to add to what others have said.  I really need to try it myself.  I really can't pinpoint why some days are a little worse than others when I pretty much do the same things day in and day out.  The one thing I see that helps some is massaging my stoma*****ircular motions to get the lymphatic system moving.   I had quite a bit of work done all of which just compounds the swelling.  I was hoping that my swelling would be gone by the time I did stage 2 but that's not happening.  I'm just going to have to deal with the swelling even longer!   

I bet there are LOTS of long term swellers that aren't posting anymore.  To be honest, it can be frustrating seeing how little swelling some people have because we are all so different.  I know Jupiter had lots of swelling and so did some others.  I've just accepted that the swelling will go away eventually, just not as soon as some on here.  And that's OK.  That's just MY body's way of healing.  I don't like it, but it is what it is.  I'm just grateful that everything healed beautifully, pain was minimal and I look better than I ever ever have.  So if all I have to do is wait for the swelling to go way to have even better results, then sobeit!

Sorry for rambling.  Let me know if the additional resting helps.  I may have to give it a try too!

Melissa