How long after your surgery were you able to care for yourself. (ie take a shower, walk up and down stairs, mix your own protein, drive…)

I was a strange case - I did it the day I came home from the hospital (2 days post-op). I was driving at 4 days post-op. I couldn't shower until the drain was out (1 week), nut I could do everything else. I was a little tired, but not bad. I've heard it's worse with others, though. I can hope you're like me, though. The key for me was getting off the pain meds - they really mess you up. But if you need them, by all means please take them.

I was one of the lucky few I guess. I was up and walking the morning after surgery with very little pain at all. Wasn't allowed to drive or shower until the drain came out, which was a week after surgery, other than some major bouts of fatigue lately it's been business as usual for me.

How long after your surgery were you able to care for yourself. (ie take a shower' date=' walk up and down stairs, mix your own Protein, drive…)[/quote']

To be safe your docs dont want you driving until your off pain meds for at least 24hrs, so it all depends on when you stop feeling pain. Your able to shower as soon as they get your drains out. I was able to shower on my own with the aide of a shower chair b/c my back grew tired really fast. I live in an apt building so physical therapy had be practicing on stairs before i left the hospital. It wasnt hard to get up the stairs, just pace yourself and take breaks when you need to....if you can walk around and lift your arms you can do your own shakes as long as your powder is where you can reach it and not weigh more than 10 pds if you have to lift it. Hope that helps...good luck [=