Riding after a big operation

[kirky]

Hello,

Are there any ladies out there who have had 'the big op'( ladies only if you know what I mean) and then come back to riding? I am recuperating after 3 weeks and it is killing me not being able to ride my ISH who is young,fit and a gentleman. Health people say 6 weeks but another riders opinion would be useful ( although I am not going to be stupid and take risks - talking about little steps and flat work only). I normally ride 4 times a week.

[Skib]

It is really important you do as the doctors say and give it at least 6 weeks. My daughter is an obs and gynae consultant. Your own surgeon should have explained to you properly why it is not wise to ride sooner after an operation or a Cesarean.
I am not a doctor and don't have the technicalities, but I remember my daughter explaining to someone else on NR. The surgeon has to cut through the belt of muscle that supports your abdomen. You use those abdominal muscles to support you when you ride.
When they start to mend and join together again, they may seem fine, but if you ride and something happens like the horse spooks or gets strong, or jerks on the reins, the strain will come on the site of the wound. And the muscles may not yet be healed and re-joined well enough to stand the added strain.
Even in a normal pregnancy the muscles over your tummy divide to accommodate the growing baby - and after the birth you need to wait for them to knit together again before you start riding again.

If you want a more informed reply, I suggest you go back to your GP and really talk this through.
And another time when you are told something like " 6 weeks" by Health workers, please do ask them why they want you to wait. If more women asked questions, they would be able to take informed decisions.
After all you only have another three weeks to wait and it will make you feel much better if you know that the purpose of waiting is to ensure many years of good riding ahead of you?

[scoobylover]

Personally I would wait - far better to wait and be 'mended' than do too much too soon and reverse your healing.

Although on not such a grand scale as you, I had a double cystectomy (removal of ovarian cysts) a few weeks ago. 4 days later I felt fine so decided to go for a very quiet hack - bad move! I started bleeding and the pain was worse than it was directly after the op! Took a couple more weeks to feel completely ok.
Time really is the best healer!

[s4sugar]

I had mine in May & got on a horse in August. I hadn't ridden for 12 years so I wasn't particularly toned in any of the muscles needed but I'm still having problems with body core strength.

I would say six weeks is rather optimistic and remember that medics often don't realize how much work a rider does. They often think it equates to a gentle stroll, or at most cycling, which you can start at six weeks if you had a smallish incision. Someone I know took six months .
Please don't push it as it is easy to set yourself back to square one.

Sue

[Wally]

Yeah, it is vital you do what the Docs. say!

I was given a leaflet which said no vaccuuming and no car driving, so I absolutley didn't for 6 weeks. Sadly it said nothing about riding or carriage driving or shoewing 'osses

I was so sore for 3 weeks though I didn't feel like doing anything. but after the third week I felt so much better I started to potter and by 4 weeks I was foot trimming and shoeing again and I have never looed back. but only do what you feel comfy with, don't over do it. A lot has to do with how fit and well you were pre-op. I wouldn't have started to do any activity that I wasn't doing before the op.

After the second week I went for a walk down the field to see the horses, and took a bad step and fell over. To protect myself I tucked my shoulder in so I would fall sideways, and it resulted in a kind of judo roll where I ended back on my feet on one swift movement........and ther was nobody there to see it, I was so disappiointed.

[MoeWalker]

Had mine 7 years ago and was riding (admittedly only walking) after 6 weeks
I think l am a very good healer so l would say follow doctors advice and follow your instints
I had very little problems and think l could have been riding before but didn't want to push it.


Take care
Maureen

[fjordlady]

I am part of the 'big op' club too!
I really would wait the 6 weeks otherwise you could suffer a setback which will take you longer. Officially you are not even covered to drive!
I know is difficult but it really will be worth the wait.
So just ring the date on the calendar and start the countdown

[Wally]

Mine wasn't the full monty though.

[s4sugar]

I was driving just before 3 weeks were up but I did get permission from my GP who I know quite well & who has driven my, automatic everything, Yank car.

Apparently you are not insured without permission to drive but to be honest I didn't go more than 5 minutes away for a few weeks as I didn't feel up to it.

As for the no vacuuming;- My gyny told me at the follow up that she had a C section and hadn't used a vacuum cleaner since - her son is now seven

It makes a difference which way they do the op (up or through) and what the reasons were.

[kirky]

Thank you all for your excellent replies and support. I hate not driving or riding but you are all right- I have the rest of my life with my horse so I will knuckle down and shut up whilst watching everyone else!

[Dogrose]

My mother had the same op and says 6 weeks is a joke- she says you aren't right for at least six months but she isn't at all physical (six years later and my stepfather is still vacuuming for her )! I do think 6 weeks is a bit short though doctors like to give you that time scale. I had one op once and was told I could go back to work the next day- I had to have two weeks off work!
I think it depends also which way they take the gubbins out too- through your abdominal muscles or from inside- if its taken out from inside its a much quicker recovery time.

[kirky]

Originally Posted by Dogrose

My mother had the same op and says 6 weeks is a joke- she says you aren't right for at least six months but she isn't at all physical (six years later and my stepfather is still vacuuming for her )! I do think 6 weeks is a bit short though doctors like to give you that time scale. I had one op once and was told I could go back to work the next day- I had to have two weeks off work!
I think it depends also which way they take the gubbins out too- through your abdominal muscles or from inside- if its taken out from inside its a much quicker recovery time.

Mine was the full bifta but I feel so well in myself it is hard to hold back but I will because I want to be sensible and fit for next year after having had such a boring one.

[Kittycat]

Please take your time. My mum had the op years ago (so they've probably improved it since then!) and she took a long while to get back to doing anything vaugely strenuous. You may feel ok but it is easy to do too much and only realise later. Wait the 6 weeks then see how you feel.

Hope you feel better soon

[Kady A]

I will echo what everyone else says ... take your time, I know its frustrating. One of our liveries had the same op in the summer - she was told twelve weeks til she could ride again - sometimes a shorter period if you have keyhole surgery?

I've been out of the saddle just over 12 months - had a big op (re-plumbing so to speak!) just before last Christmas and chemo/yucky stuff. Its been hell not getting on a horse but sadly I have had to admit my limitations!

Much as we worship the ground our horses walk on, risking your health just isn't worth it.

Hope you feel better soon

[Mary Poppins]

I had a c-section and it took me over 6 months to feel 'normal' around my stomach and even now 9 months later I still have no feeling at all in some parts. I didn't ride at all for 4 months and when I did I felt like a sack of potatos as all my muscles were really weak. My advice would be to take it very slowly and listen to your body. You could do yourself some real damage if you do to much to soon.

[kirky]

Well ladies doesn't it just show that however long we have to wait to get back on after a stupid operation, however big or small,it is not going to hold us back from loving and enjoying our passion for horses? Even getting a cuddle from my horse who has been extra gentle around me is inspiring and keeps me mentally fit for eventually getting back on. Also seeing him being ridden by my two friends is a joy. He is helping me heal.

[Pottamus]

Yes I would wait too and do as you are advised by your doc...better safe than sorry! hope you get well soon.