Surgery Date and Work

Hello,

I just got the call I've been waiting for- surgery is scheduled for May 9th. Yippee!

My only concern is that I start my summer job May 24th. I'm in college so I'm working at a summer camp. My job is not labor intensive though, I basically am the camp counselor for the camp counselors. My biggest issue is the camp is in Memphis and my surgeon is in Chicago. I can get a plane ticket, so it's not the end of the of the world. On the bright side, I'll have a huge kitchen and giant fridge at my disposal.

So, basically I'm wanting to know if I'm being insane. Do you think I can do both surgery and camp weeks apart?

I took 2 weeks and I think that's average or possibly a bit below.

Youre re not supposed to lift more than 10lbs for maybe 4-6 weeks because those incisions can open. I had one open after gallbladder surgery. Not good.

Thankfully, my job doesn't have any heavy lifting. Which is a blessing because I originally applied to be a Team Leader. The camp is a roof repair ministry, and Team Leaders do most of the heavy lifting. And I mean 100lb shingle packs and hanging upside down off a roof for 10 weeks-lots of fun, but I couldn't have done it post surgery. Thankfully I got offered an office position and accepted it instead.

Luggage. Make sure to weigh your luggage. Traveling was not an issue - but getting my suitcase to be below 10lbx was a challenge.

Plus - heat and dehydration. Some of us have really a hard time drinking enough liquids in the first few weeks. Add heat to the mix and there may be an issue. Mineral - salt imbalance. When I travel now - I make sure I have the little mineral packs I can mix with water and salt pills. (Runners, cyclist use them all the time)

Oh great point about luggage. If I use a rolling pull behind suitcase would that still be an issue, do you think?

And you're so right with the water. I'm hoping it won't hurt my stomach- I hear that's pretty common after surgery. But I'll definitely need to have my water bottle on me all the time.

Many people are back to work after about two weeks, so that would probably be enough time.

However, be aware that you'll probably feel REALLY tired for the first month or so! It's a lot for your body to adjust to, and it's common to be totally exhausted for a while as you learn to work on far fewer calories. I took naps every day for the first couple of months, so make sure you have opportunities to rest.

That's what I'm worried about. It's a pretty high energy camp- lots and lots of fun, but also lots and lots of work. Fortunately, I will get one hour off every afternoon so maybe I can squeeze a nap sesh in.

Do you have any experience with surgeries? If you have you may be able to beat some of the odds. I had my surgery on 3/29 and was back at work on 4/6 - BUT I HAVE AN EASY DESK JOB!

Here are things I've learned from prior surgeries (bilateral mastectomy etc...)

Remember to pack PJs you will be comfortable walking around in, or a robe... It's far less awkward than trying to keep covered up with those darned hospital gowns!

1. Use the breathing gage thingy like it's your JOB. This silly tool you suck in air, while watching a float hover around your goal line... It's doing two things: 1. Helping assure you don't get pneumonia by assuring you're fully inflating your lungs post surgery and 2. Helping you get the anesthesia meds out of your system.
2. GET UP AND WALK as soon as they let you - I was able to get about 1500 steps in the day of my surgery and got close to 3000 in the next two days I was in the hospital. I just drug my IV along with me and walked laps around the entire floor. I walked SLOWLY as I needed, and I took breaks, sitting in lounges or going back to bed for a nap... but the walking really helps you recover more quickly.
3. Only take the pain meds when you need them. This way you can listen to your body and be alert enough to walk safely. A little soreness is good, it lets you know if you push yourself too much.
4. PAIN - I used an ice pack on the "big" incision (where the stapler is passed through) and this made things pretty comfy.
5. When you get home, keep up the walking. Walk slow as you need, a shuffle is fine, but the more you move the faster you're recover.
6. I had some serious pain about three days out, from a place they tacked my "Y" to my abdominal wall. The doctor assured me the pain was not from any damage so I kept up the walking. That pain was the only reason I took pain meds after I left the hospital, and I haven't taken any meds after the first week.
7. Listen to your body, walking in my neighborhood was a challenge because there are no places to sit down. I compensated by pacing in my apt, even just walking in place, until I was confident I could walk around the block without needing to sit down. THIS ISN'T EXERCISE this is motion that helps you heal. DO NOT WALK FAST OR WORK OUT just kinda meander around.
8. Think positive happy thoughts, work to put the discomfort in perspective. Yes I was a little sore, but not worse then I would expect after a fall, or after a crazy hard workout.
9. SIP SIP SIP SIP keeping tha****er going in, gives your body the tools it needs to heal.
10. Yogurt is your friend! It has decent protein, it helps make your gut happy and helps you recover from the antibiotics.

Good luck!

Thankd!! That was great info!