sorry i haven't been able to update everyone on my status. here is a quick recap of how my recovery is going so far.
after the 5th day, i did experience the extreme tightness that most people go through. i felt like i was going backwards in my recovery since my calves became tighter and stretching became much more difficult. i flew out on the 8th day and dr. park aspirated for me before i headed to the airport. i requested for wheelchair assistance at the check-in counter which was really helpful since it would have been physically uncomfortable to stand in line for customs and security clearance, as well as walk through such a large airport. on the plane, they gave me a seat where i had a wall in front of me which allowed for more room to elevate and stretch. i had a 13 hour fight and couldn't sleep much since i wanted to make sure i was stretching or walking around every 30-60 minutes. on the 8th day, i was still walking with a limp and very slowly.
6 week post op:
i would highly recommend switching from wedges to flat shoes as soon as possible as this will help with continuous stretching. i started walking normally on day 11 and was fine to drive to work. the tightness in my calves still occurs whenever i get up from bed, although it is gradually getting better. i have been pretty religious about getting up every 30-45 minutes to stretch or walk around while at work so don't really feel much tightness from getting up from sitting when i'm in the office. however, i went to watch a movie on friday night and it was the first time i sat two hours straight without getting up and it did feel noticeably tighter. as far as strength, i am slowly regaining strength in my legs. i walked 3 miles (4.8 km) around a lake earlier today in less than one hour. i noticed i tired a bit more easily though, but just kept going. it is a big improvement compared to three weeks ago when i went to costco and became tired after 15 minutes of grocery shopping. so you have to slowly build up your strength i suppose. i am also seeing a physical therapist who is helping me with strengthening, balancing and stretching exercises.
i second what ffxlulu says in regards to the time spent in stretching, massaging, bandaging, scar cream, etc. - the monotony of it all is annoying. this is a serious surgery, so be prepared physically, mentally and emotionally for the recovery period of at least 6 months. the hardest part for me wasn't the actual surgery, it has been the recovery process and it doesn't help that i'm impatient.
but overall, i feel my recovery is going fairly well. i was 39/40cm before surgery and now i am around 35.5/36. i am hoping i'll have more shape as the empty space starts to fill out a bit in the next several months. i have numbness in my outer left feet and right heel, but the numb patch is getting smaller compared to a few weeks ago so hopefully with time it will disappear soon.
i want to thank a few gals (MnG, ffxlulu, jess) who have been a tremendous support during this recovery period! please feel free to PM me if you have any questions or would like more details. i'd love to help!
after the 5th day, i did experience the extreme tightness that most people go through. i felt like i was going backwards in my recovery since my calves became tighter and stretching became much more difficult. i flew out on the 8th day and dr. park aspirated for me before i headed to the airport. i requested for wheelchair assistance at the check-in counter which was really helpful since it would have been physically uncomfortable to stand in line for customs and security clearance, as well as walk through such a large airport. on the plane, they gave me a seat where i had a wall in front of me which allowed for more room to elevate and stretch. i had a 13 hour fight and couldn't sleep much since i wanted to make sure i was stretching or walking around every 30-60 minutes. on the 8th day, i was still walking with a limp and very slowly.
6 week post op:
i would highly recommend switching from wedges to flat shoes as soon as possible as this will help with continuous stretching. i started walking normally on day 11 and was fine to drive to work. the tightness in my calves still occurs whenever i get up from bed, although it is gradually getting better. i have been pretty religious about getting up every 30-45 minutes to stretch or walk around while at work so don't really feel much tightness from getting up from sitting when i'm in the office. however, i went to watch a movie on friday night and it was the first time i sat two hours straight without getting up and it did feel noticeably tighter. as far as strength, i am slowly regaining strength in my legs. i walked 3 miles (4.8 km) around a lake earlier today in less than one hour. i noticed i tired a bit more easily though, but just kept going. it is a big improvement compared to three weeks ago when i went to costco and became tired after 15 minutes of grocery shopping. so you have to slowly build up your strength i suppose. i am also seeing a physical therapist who is helping me with strengthening, balancing and stretching exercises.
i second what ffxlulu says in regards to the time spent in stretching, massaging, bandaging, scar cream, etc. - the monotony of it all is annoying. this is a serious surgery, so be prepared physically, mentally and emotionally for the recovery period of at least 6 months. the hardest part for me wasn't the actual surgery, it has been the recovery process and it doesn't help that i'm impatient.
but overall, i feel my recovery is going fairly well. i was 39/40cm before surgery and now i am around 35.5/36. i am hoping i'll have more shape as the empty space starts to fill out a bit in the next several months. i have numbness in my outer left feet and right heel, but the numb patch is getting smaller compared to a few weeks ago so hopefully with time it will disappear soon.i want to thank a few gals (MnG, ffxlulu, jess) who have been a tremendous support during this recovery period! please feel free to PM me if you have any questions or would like more details. i'd love to help!
. They are a lot better after I applied medication provided by a doctor.