3 weeks post-op update-
Everything seems to be getting better :D -
I went to the gym to play basketball. I played 2 full court games. I got out of breath easily and feel out of shape (compare to what I was before the surgery)
- I really
don't feel any pain after playing basketball. I'll see how I feel tomorrow. Doc said at this point to ease into things (even somewhat heavy weights) if I feel ok.
-I was
able to ride in the car using the heating pad with little discomfort .
- I am
able to sit for a while now and feel very little discomfort (although I still try to use a pillow on wooden chairs
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BM have been perfect for a few days. No pushing at all needed
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passing gas seems almost back to normal. I can tell things are a bit looser back there than before. However, I can only think of one time in the last three days when I thought it was gas and it was a bit more. However, I felt it in time and stopped without an accident. I use lactaid; however, I still had a lot of gas earlier today. I tell the kids, "The doctor told me to just let it out and not to hold that stuff in".
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I have a little itching at times back there and have been using the Balneol which seems to help. I haven't tried the coconut oil; however, I sure eat a lot of it (so maybe it makes it way there anyway?)
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I'm getting around pretty normal now. I went shopping and while my son still helped, I can do most things by myself now.
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I'm not using any pads for leakage at this time. If there is any its very minimal. Instead, I just clean frequently just to make sure. No more hair dryers at this point in time.
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Not really in pain after a BM for the last day or two. Some irritation, a little discomfort after, and maybe some burning. And of course, each BM is a bit different. But, all my BMs have been almost perfect softness, volume, thickness lately. None were too large or thick. No straining at all has been needed. I guess its about 3 days since the last really painful post-BM experience.
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Not really taking the Colace anymore. Just still eating some soft fruits (just not as much as before)
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I am still drinking a good bit of water, tea, coffee, milk, orange juice and eating frequently
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Not taking any sitz baths in the last couple of days. However, if the burning returns, I will surely jump in the tub.
- Definitely
skipped the step aerobics class today. It tore me up last week when I went, so I'll stick to basketball and weights. No weights tonight or for the last week. I'm easing back into things a bit at a time.
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I have 2 weeks of vacation coming up, so that will allow me to be home and manage the diet well. When I was off after the surgery, I was using sick time. After that, I was working from home and it really got very busy at work. On my vacation, i'm not going anywhere, just studying for my differential equations class (which I am very behind in and have a test on Monday).
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Urinating isn't really giving me any trouble now.
- I'm shifting back towards
my pre-fissure diet again. Less fruit, rarely any starches and more veggies/dairy. However, I will boil the carrots and nuts (creamy natural peanut butter only). I Ate some fish today.
- I
went to the office for a while this week. It was fine. I didn't have a BM there as I left to go work from home when I felt it was coming soon.
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I changed my oil in 2 cars today and was able to do it with on problem. One of my sons moved the heavy floor jack and jack stand. But, I probably could have even done that had I attempted it slowly and carefully. However, I was able to climb under both vehicles a couple of times without issues. i carried the oil drain pan full of 6 quarts of oil into the store with no problem. So, I'm able to get out of the house and run errands.
So, overall
I am doing much better than I have in a very long time . I'm not spending all day soaking in the tub and all night awake and in pain. I'm not sitting on the heating pad to much except in the car. Right now, this condition isn't ruling my life anymore. So, I am very glad I got the surgery. I'm glad the recovery is coming along so far and so well.
I hope it stays this way and I don't suffer any more setbacks.
I really hope it heals all the way and I never had a retear or another surgery again. I mean, I know I could wake up tomorrow constipated
, soaking in the tub, and in pain
. And, I still have moments where I am in a little discomfort. I am still aware of the surgical feeling in the area a lot. But, its nothing like it was before. Coughing still hurts a lot at times. I still have to limit myself from some activities. For example, I'm sitting down as I type this and I'm thinking "ok, a little discomfort. Let me finish this up and go to bed to lay down (and ice down my shin splints from basketball)".
Lately, in order to feel any real pain for any longer than a couple of minutes, I need a real bad BM.
Thankfully, I just haven’t had one in the last couple of days. For right now, I'm feeling very optimistic about my recovery and glad that the bad part after the surgery is over. Hopefully, things will keep going so good as they have yesterday and today. I think these last couple of days have been the best so far.
I'll let you know how the next week goes and if things keep getting better and better. Thank again to all of you on this forum and for the replies and support.