Mikey 13,
Something doesn't seem kosher here. Usually the physical activity starts
soon after you reach your bed. (post- op) Some form of compression stocking
is in place (perhaps hooked up to a pneumatic device that sort of kneads or
or massages the legs). You are instructed to wiggle your toes & twirl your ankles.
When you are up to it they unhook you and get you on your feet do a few laps
around the nurses station or up & down a corridor, You return to bed, get hooked
again and after some time repeat the drill. You increase your trip distances & times
with each outing and after all tests check good (urine samples, physical etc) plus
a bowel movement or gass passage the attending MD will let you go.This proceedure
or something like this is performed to help prevent blood clot formation. Blood clots
are a potential threat following surgery and they usually originate in the deep veins
of the legs. The most common and simplest prevention method is leg activity in
some form. Patients who are mobility challenged are prescribed blood thinners. Now
this is important; clots can form days or weeks after surgery! I find it strange that
walking is discouraged rather than incouraged as part of your rehab. But what the
heck do I know? Mebe they Invented a new pill or proceedure since I went this route!
Regards
Fogball