[butterflydreamin...]

Sorry if there is already a thread on this, to exhausted to search.

After preparing for a natural active labour and birth that was taken out of hands when I came down with appendicitis and was admitted to hospital. There was talk of inducing but they didn't want to take the risk of the appendix bursting while waiting for the baby to be born and so i was taken for a caeser under general with them getting the apendix at the same time. I've been told they recovery might be a little slower due to it being a double surgery and they want to keep me in for five days rather then the usual three.

Anyway on to my question. I am a plus size lady and have the dreaded apron from wright loss prior too pregnancy and if course made worse by pregnancy. Do any larger ladies have suggestions for the recovery period?

[akkiandmalli]

I have never had my appendix out but I have heard recovery from that can be long and painful. Throwing a c-sec into the mix will be hard for you op. I hope you have someone to help you. When I had my c-sec with dd my recovery was no slower because I was a bit bigger. I was up next day showering and taking steps. By the time I returned home I was ok and walking well. Second week home we went to Sydney for a week I guess it depends on other circumstances like fitness and whether you have other children. Good luck op sounds like you will need done support. Ps take the meds when scheduled other wise your after pains may hurt a lot.

[Happy Feet]

My best advice for anyone recovering from any surgery is to listen to your body and take it easy.

You don't have to be wonderwoman and get back to everyday life/activities straight away.

Take it easy and remember your body is recovering from surgery.

If you have a pouch hanging over your scar, make sure you are cleaning it (lift the pouch if it is hanging low) and drying it properly after a shower.


Also 5 days is the standard stay for a c-section so it's a good sign that they didn't have to keep you in longer, means your recovery is going well so far.

[Lightning_bug]

OP, you want to keep under the apron as dry as possible. The hospital should provide pads so don't be embarrassed to pack those things under there and change them regularly.

Shower, as soon and as often as possible. Hospital is a horrible place to have a decent shower but put the embarrassment aside. They've seen it all before.

Get some decent, large, bath sheet towels to make drying easier and get a couple so you can send them home to be cleaned and you've got a fresh one waiting.

If you can get some antibacterial shower gel, grab that as well.

And walk, as soon and as much as you safely can. It'll help healing and improve strength.

[librablonde]

Anyway on to my question. I am a plus size lady and have the dreaded apron from wright loss prior too pregnancy and if course made worse by pregnancy. Do any larger ladies have suggestions for the recovery period

Make sure you wash carefully under your apron each day and dry the area by laying down and either air-drying or use a hairdryer on the cool setting. Then place a thick sanitary pad over the suture site and kind of fold it in the crease or tape it there. The pad will help keep the site dry and slightly lifted. I actually used Medihoney spread on the suture site which I found brilliant for rapid healing and there was no redness at all or infection. Some OB's will recommend having nothing at all on the suture site and just keep it dry, but I did the above and it worked brilliantly. You can buy Medihoney from many pharmacies.
http://www.chemistdirect.com.au/medihoney-...dical-honey-50g

[AdelTwins]

I saw a Physio for some tubi-grip. Basically a thin, stretchy circle of material that I stepped into and pulled up. It went from bum all the way up to just under my boobs.
I felt like my leftover twin belly was pulling on the incision. This really helped, although I found it a bit itchy after a full day.
You might need a larger one and a smaller one - as your belly deflates.

[~ky~]

I've always recovered very quickly despite being a very much plus size Mum. I was so well after my fourth caesar that they allowed me to go home on day two!

It's just the same as with a smaller woman - keep the wound dry, listen to your body - don't try to do too much too quickly and get up and moving as soon as possible. I know the last two points sound contradictory, but it is pretty clear after a caesar how they can both apply!

I've been back driving every time within a week (manual vehicles usually, including an old 4WD) and back to pretty much normal duties by the time I was 5 weeks post caesar. I'm talking about those which involve stretching and lifting weights etc. Light housework could be done pretty much straight away, not that I had much time!

I did, just over a week after my last caesar, stretch up to get something off a top shelf in a shop and it was very uncomfortable. My body definitely told me it was not yet time for that.