Abdominal surgery recovery time?

[Mitch]

Normally I do not seek medical advice here, nor do I ask my doctor advice on playing the tuba. But seeing as the doctor can't answer this question, I figure ill open it UP to the TNFJ for input.

I had abdominal surgery on Thursday. I'm still in the hospital (on Sunday) but hope to be getting out tomorrow. The procedure was performed laparoscopically, so it didn't involve a huge incision, but it still knocked me around a good bit.

(Sparing some of the details, I had to have part of my colon removed.)

Has anyone here had an abdominal procedure performed that put you out from playing for a while, and, if so, how long did it take before you felt like you were able to sit down and play again?

I appreciate the feedback. This is a question my doctor couldn't really answer.

[whatsupdoc]

Mitch, I haven't had abdominal surgery but I am a doctor and have had lots of patients who have... With your surgery I would assume that you have three or four smallish incisions - less than an inch each. These have likely been sutured on the inside pretty sturdily with absorbable stiches. These take 4-6 weeks to disolve.

I think a good way to start is with some deep breathing for a couple of days - not a bad idea after any surgery to help prevent pneumonia. If this goes OK then try playing a bit. Not too loud or high - keep your abdominal muscles working gently. Your biggest risk may simply be lifting your horn from the floor to your lap, so take it easy with that too. If you feel pain/discomfort then back off.

Healing should be pretty solid by 6 weeks and you should be back to new by then. Probably you'll be playing without any troubles much before then.

Hope this helps. YMMV

[Radar]

I had my spleen removed which was a pretty large incision, and it took me about 6 weeks to get back to normal.

[bearphonium]

I took about 8 weeks for my similar surgery. Keep the breathing thingy, it can be kinda fun. No side effects from coming back too soon.

[Steve Marcus]

Your biggest risk may simply be lifting your horn from the floor to your lap, so take it easy with that too. If you feel pain/discomfort then back off.

That is the primary reason why the doctor instructed me to refrain from playing the tuba for two weeks when I had a hernia repaired (certainly not as substantive a procedure as what you just endured). He was much more concerned about the lifting of the weight of the horn than any other facet of tuba playing.

Wishing you swift healing,

Steve

[DonShirer]

I don't know if a burst appendix counts. 3 days in hospital after surgery. 2 days after I got home a 7"+ rain flooded the basement and I had to forget about bed rest for the rest of the week.

[Ben]

Your biggest risk may simply be lifting your horn from the floor to your lap, so take it easy with that too. If you feel pain/discomfort then back off.

That is the primary reason why the doctor instructed me to refrain from playing the tuba for two weeks when I had a hernia repaired (certainly not as substantive a procedure as what you just endured). He was much more concerned about the lifting of the weight of the horn than any other facet of tuba playing.

Wishing you swift healing,

Steve

I had an umbilical hernia procedure last year - like Steve said- it seems much milder than your procedure. I was outpatient and the doctor advised not to lift anything heavier that 20 lbs. He said I could play as long as I did no "valsalva" manuever. I demonstrated the breathing involved when I play, and he said it would be fine. Needless to say I had no desire to play tuba for a week. My child climbing over me and demanding to be carried and lifted was the hardest part of healing.

I was fully recovered after about 6 weeks, but attending rehearsals in just under a week. Don't rush yourself, enjoy the time off. You may discover some challenging things have become easier when you return to playing.

Best of luck,
Ben

[Mitch]

Thanks, all, for the feedback much appreciated. It's been a week and a day since surgery, so I'm going to give it a whirl. The dr. said because of the way he did it laparascopically, he didn't need to cut through any muscle but rather was able to work in between. He assured me I'd have very little discomfort, and because no muscle tissue was cut, I wouldn't have any restrictions on lifting. But since he missed the mark on the "very little" discomfort, it gives one pause.

Thanks again!

[Kevin Hendrick]

Thanks, all, for the feedback much appreciated. It's been a week and a day since surgery, so I'm going to give it a whirl. The dr. said because of the way he did it laparascopically, he didn't need to cut through any muscle but rather was able to work in between. He assured me I'd have very little discomfort, and because no muscle tissue was cut, I wouldn't have any restrictions on lifting. But since he missed the mark on the "very little" discomfort, it gives one pause.

Thanks again!

"Very little discomfort" is typical doctorish understatement. It's when the doc tells you "I'm sorry, but this *is* going to hurt" (been there, heard that) that you know you are well-and-truly scrod ...