Let's Talk Pain
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All right.  You are home.  The surgery is over.  Now what?  Pain.  Most likely more pain then you had before the surgery for a while.  The recovery takes a long time and if you push it you will experience even more pain.  Worse, if you push it you could end up back on the surgeons table.  So, listen to your body, your doctor, and, when you start, the physical therapist.  You are the best judge of your own pain but after being restricted for so long there may be some temptation to go beyond the pain.  After all, you've dealt with pain for so long and always pushed yourself, but now is not the time.

bulletIce and heat, heat or ice, heat heat heat, ice ice ice and pain killers.  That describes your first few days pretty well.
bulletEat well and drink lots and lots of water.  Don't forget the vitamins.
bulletGetting to the bathroom is your first big adventure after you get home and it's going to hurt.  Think of it as your first 'walk'.  You'll be grateful for that toilet booster!
bulletDon't try to put socks on yourself!  This is something you will have to give up for a while.  Have someone do it for you.
bulletWalking is an important part of healing.  Start taking walks as soon as possible.  Not big ones at first.  Just around the house.  After the bathroom walk feels comfortable start walking out to the next room.  As time goes by make the walks a little longer.  Do what you can and talk to your doctor, and later your physical therapist, about any extra pain you feel.  Listen to your body.  If it starts hurting, stop.
bulletSetbacks will happen.  Slow down, let your doctor know what's happened, take your pain meds and use your ice.  Don't get discouraged, it probably happens to everyone.  A setback will usually occur when you start feeling better and over do.

There are a lot of different types of pain that can come up after the surgery.  Please be sure to write down anything that concerns you or anything new pain that may start and bring this list with you to the doctor.  It never fails, when I go to the doctor without a list of questions and/or concerns I always forget something.

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