13 days post op

Overall my operated leg has improved  a lot.  The swelling has really gone down, except for a section right near the op site, and also right near my femoral nerve.  I can extend my leg maybe 75% of the way (I just tried and it was more like 100%, but I can only do that for one or two reps).  I can lift my straight leg just a tiny bit from the bed, but that's a big improvement on nothing.

The last few days I have concentrated on reducing swelling, spending most of the day horizontal, leg up on pillows and iced.  I get up and ride the bike for 10 minutes several times, then go back to lying down. 

Yesterday I really overdid it, though, spending way too much of the day on my feet and also driving my car  short distance twice (there and back so 4 times I guess).  I was shattered and in so much pain, really angry with myself for doing what I always do (too much).  Spent most of today sleeping on the sofa, and will take a short trip to the gym tonight to spot my SO's bench press and maybe do a few upper body exercises myself.

I'm getting around very well on one crutch inside the house, and on 2 outside.  I'm not really close to walking without any aid, I am not sure if this is normal at my stage of recovery but I imagine it probably is.  The crutches are so much more stable than the stick- even one crutch.  A few times I have wobbled but not been in any danger of falling because the crutches provide such good support.  I am so happy that the physio put me back on them.  When I walk, I make an effort to NOT lock my knee and use my quads as much as possible, which I couldn't do with the stick.  Also falling over once a day is BAD, mkay.

I weighed myself yesterday and have actually lost 0.5 kg since the day of surgery- which is not really great as I have a swollen leg and a heavy prosthesis AND I should be eating at maintenance.  I mean it's not like I am at a dangerously low level of body fat but I need to try harder to get at least over 1200 cals.  I am getting my protein every day so that's something.  I assume my appetite will be better when I am able to be more active (and when getting up and getting food isn't such a hassle).


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