LBL Recovery Time

I am scheduled for an LBL at the end of this month.  I plan on taking 12 days off after the procedure.

I am curious what recovery time looks like for most doing just the LBL.  My doc seems to think light exercise by the end of 2 weeks and resuming normal activities at 4 weeks.  Everything I have read online seems to show longer recovery times.  Please let me know what your experience has been and thanks in advance!

Scott

My LBL is set for July 8th so I can only report to you what my doctor has told me:  

1.  Absolutely no core work for the first 3 months - nothing that works the abs.  So no kickboxing, sit-ups, Pilates, etc. 

2.  Light exercise (walking) after 4 weeks but no lifting anything over 5 lbs. for the first 4-6 weeks.  

3.  He said for the first 2 weeks post-op I will probably be walking hunched over (I'm getting muscle repair too) and that I probably won't be drain-free until 10-14 days post-op.  

If you're a youngster (I'm 53) then you may bounce back a whole lot faster.  I've seen reports of that!  I say "plan for the worst and hope for the best!" 

Three months?!  Aaaaaaaaah.  

I'm both excited for plastics and dreading them :P

Thanks Tracy!

I was 44 when I had my lbl. I took 7 weeks off and needed all of them. MAYBE I could have gone back in 4 weeks. I could not walk somewhat upright for at least 3 weeks. I did not exercise for 3 months. I stayed on heavy duty pain meds for 14 days then cut back to nights only and Tylenol during the day.

Thanks Laura!

Sounds about right - I'm hoping to go back sooner and do half-days...but we'll see.  

Laura, you look great!  Congratulations on your success!

12 days? 

My timeline - I was 55 when I had the LBL.  I figured I'd be off completely for 2 weeks, telework for another week, and then go back to work either part or full time, depending on how I felt.  What actually happened - I was off for 4 weeks, hobbled back to work the 5th week and didn't make it through full days, and made it back full time at 6 weeks.  I was still swelling like a SOB, but I was functional.

The incision, which is what I was most concerned about (dear God, and incision all the way around my body!  How will I function! How will I sleep!) was absolutely no big deal.  The drains - there were 4 - were a nuisance and sometimes sore, but also no big deal.  The muscle repair killed me.  You really don't appreciate how much you use your core until it's disabled.

I think my age played a part in my recovery.  I think the fact that my muscles had been separated for decades and weren't really happy about the sudden reconciliation played a part in it.  Everyone's recovery is different, so you may be able to make your timeline, but it's really pushing it for such a major surgery.

I will keep your laughing emoticon in mind as I make my way through recovery next month.  I am really working to right-size all my expectations!