I need advice re: weakness

So I had my surgery July 13 and was home 2 weeks before I went to the hospital for another week with with a pulmonary embolism. Since that I am now home 5 days... Here is the problem:

I feel yucky and weak when I get out of bed. I don't know what to do though because I am not sure if I am weak because I'm in bed so much, or if I am in bed so much because I am weak...
Should I be forcing myself to gonout and do things? Or should I be relaxing till I feel better?

Hi
this is just me..... but I do believe in moving as soon as possible, if nothing else--- walk.

For me that has always worked wonders after surgery and I hate to admit it but I've had a lot of surgeries in my lifetime. Anything is better then laying in bed and letting your muscles do nothing.
I hope you feel better and stronger soon, I know it's not easy.

Hang in there.

Inge

MOVE!! That is really the only thing that is keeping your muscles going. Even if it is only to your mailbox and back a few times a day. I hope that you feel better soon.

 You are still early out.  Yes, most of us felt weak for about the first 6-8 weeks!  You are normal!  Let's not forget what a huge surgery this is!

I remember people telling me that they could barely keep their heads off the table even after one month post op. 

I think you should walk.  This is not aerobic exercise, just short slow walks.  Maybe half a block several times a day.  This will help with breathing, circulation, keeping your body limber and moving, keeping your insides moving, besides the fresh air and sunshine.  Don't pu****  This should refresh you or make you slightly tired but not exhaust you.  Adjust as needed.  I would not recommend laying around all day.  Even getting up and getting your own water, food, washing a dish here or there, keep your vites in another room and get up to get them.  This will help.   You don't want to get good at laying around. 

That's not to say you shouldn't rest and relax in between.  See the difference?  Good luck and you will improve!!

Cheers,
Cathy

Sounds like good advice... Gotta get outta bed and walk some more. It's funny I was walking a lot before I got the embolism because I was afraid of that possibility. Since the embolism and being on blood thinners I have been a lot less active because I don't have that fear anymore

pulmonary embolism? yikes!! sounds scary!! Glad you got that taken care of!

as far as the weakness goes, someone who spent 5 days laying in bed not able to move, ya need to MOVE. Not marathon or anything... But just 3 short little walks a day. It may hurt like hell, but strengthening those muscles are important.

Good luck to you Jon!

 Move and walk as much as possible.  If necessary, set an alarm and make yourself get up and move once an hour during what would normally be your waking hours.

I wholeheartedly agree with the others' advice.    Unless you have a physician's orders to be on bed rest, you need to be up and about by now.    Take it gradually, but push yourself to move a little more each time you're up.   Our bodies are built to move, not lie about.   My surgeon really pushed getting up and even exercising from as early on as possible.  I was riding my bike at one week out, with his enthusiasatic encouragement.    I really feel it has a lot to do with my very rapid recovery.    Not only is this for physical benefit, but emotional as well.    I've been down with some kind of stomach bug today, and I'm depressed just lying about for one day!  Grrrr!

The more you lay around the weaker you'll get.  Set small goals for yourself every day and get up and move!
Lisa