Abdominal surgery, such as a C-section, hysterectomy, or hernia repair, affects your core muscles. These are the muscles you use for movement, balance, and supporting your back. After surgery, your core will be weak. You’ll need to take extra care when moving from lying down to standing up. This protects your incision and prevents injury. With some preparation and assistance, you can stand up safely.
How long should you wait before getting up after surgery?
In the past, patients were often required to stay in bed for days after major surgery. But current thinking encourages early mobilization. Getting up and walking shortly after surgery can aid healing and prevent complications like blood clots, pneumonia, and muscle wasting. Today, most patients are assisted out of bed within 24 hours after abdominal surgery.
The first time you get up should be with assistance from a nurse or physical therapist. They will assess your strength and stability. Early mobilization is generally safe if you do not have complications from anesthesia or the surgery itself. But proceed cautiously, only sitting up or standing when your providers indicate you are ready.
Why is it difficult to stand after abdominal surgery?
Abdominal surgery involves making incisions through the abdominal muscles. Even minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures require cutting through the muscle layers. This causes weakness and instability in the core. Other factors can also make it difficult to stand up after surgery:
- Anesthesia medications cause drowsiness, slowing reaction times
- IV fluids may cause lightheadedness when you change position
- Pain medications disrupt balance and coordination
- You may have surgical drains, urinary catheters, IV lines, or other equipment attached
Right after surgery, you may be attached to equipment that limits your mobility. As you recover, your providers will disconnect you from these devices. Pain and weakness will improve with time. But you will need to avoid movements that put excessive strain on your incision site.
What are the risks of standing up too soon?
While early mobilization aids recovery, getting up before you are ready comes with risks. Potential complications of standing up too soon after abdominal surgery include:
- Falling – Weakness, dizziness and disorientation raise your risk of falls. Falls after surgery can cause serious injury and delayed recovery.
- Incision opening – Straining the abdominal muscles can reopen surgical incisions. This risk is highest in the first few days after surgery.
- Organ prolapse – Increased abdominal pressure may push internal organs through incision sites, requiring emergency surgery.
- Hernia – Weakness in the muscle repair may cause internal tissues or organs to protrude through the abdominal wall.
- Bleeding – Sudden movements can disrupt internal stitches and blood clots, leading to dangerous bleeding.
To avoid these complications, take a gradual approach. Wait for assistance the first time you stand. Increase activity slowly over several days. Support your incisions with a pillow, binder or your hands when moving.
How should you prepare to stand for the first time?
You will need help from hospital staff or a caregiver the first few times you get out of bed. Make sure you have assistance before attempting to stand up after abdominal surgery. You may feel weak, lightheaded or unsteady on your feet. Have someone ready to provide support.
Gather any equipment you will need before standing up. This may include:
- A hospital gown, robe or loose clothing
- Slip-on shoes or slippers with rubber soles
- A pillow or folded blanket to press against your incision
- Your IV pole if you are still attached
- A gait belt secured snugly around your waist
- A walker, crutches or cane if prescribed
Make sure your bed is at a height your feet can touch the floor. Move slowly and pace yourself. Avoid straining. Speak up if you feel faint or have sudden pain. With support, you may be able to take a few steps. But do not overexert yourself.
What techniques help make standing easier?
Use these safe techniques for getting out of bed after abdominal surgery:
- Push up to a seated position first. Sit on the edge of the bed for a minute before standing.
- Scoot to the edge of the bed and dangle your legs. Plant your feet firmly on the floor.
- Take your time. Pause if you feel lightheaded. Breathe slowly and deeply.
- Press a pillow or folded blanket over your incision site for support.
- Have someone assist you on your side, back or front. Use a gait belt for support.
- Shift your weight forward slowly. Gradually straighten your hips and knees to come to a standing position.
- Stand in place for a minute before taking steps. Regain your balance.
Avoid twisting your torso. Move your whole body as a unit. Take small steps and pause frequently. Let pain be your guide – if an activity causes sudden or increasing pain, stop. Keep your supportive devices like pillows and walkers close by. Return to bed and rest if you start to feel tired, dizzy or short of breath.
What is the proper posture for standing after surgery?
Standing upright too quickly can strain your incision. After abdominal surgery, your posture will need to adapt. Follow these tips for proper standing posture while you recover:
- Stand slightly hunched over with knees bent to relax abdominal muscles.
- Support your abdomen with a pillow, rolled blanket or your hands.
- Keep movements smooth and controlled.
- Tighten your core muscles gently before standing upright.
- Progress to standing straight over several days.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing that does not press on your incision.
Avoid activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure. Do not strain, bend, twist, reach overhead, or lift objects. Changes in position can be challenging after surgery. Listen to your body. Stop any activity that causes pain or dizziness. With time, your posture and mobility will improve.
When can you resume normal activity after surgery?
Recovering from major abdominal surgery is a gradual process. You will be able to do more over time. A typical timeline for increasing activity level after surgery is:
- 24 hours – Sit at bedside, stand briefly with assistance
- 2-3 days – Walk short distances with support, increase sitting periods
- 1 week – Take short walks 2-3 times per day, climb stairs with railings
- 2 weeks – Increase walking distance, perform light standing activities
- 4-6 weeks – Resume non-strenuous daily activities
- 6-8 weeks – Begin driving, shopping and heavier housework
- 2-3 months – Start strength exercises, core conditioning, cardio exercise
Your recovery pace depends on factors like your age, health status, and procedure. Discuss appropriate activities with your doctor. Increase activity gradually. Avoid lifting heavy objects or sports for at least 6 weeks. Suddenly standing up or twisting can remain uncomfortable for several months. Listen to your body’s limits. Be patient with yourself throughout your recovery.
How can physical therapy help?
Physical therapy is an important part of the recovery process after major surgery. PT helps you regain core strength, mobility, balance and endurance. Starting gentle movement early aids healing. A physical therapist can provide interventions to help you stand and get around safely, including:
- Therapist-assisted bed mobility and transfers
- Gait training with ambulatory devices like walkers
- Balancing and posture retraining
- Soft tissue massage and modalities to relieve pain
- Exercises to activate and strengthen core muscles
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation to weakened muscles
- Protected weight shifts and partial squats
- Bracing or binding to offer abdominal support
Your surgeon may prescribe outpatient PT once you are discharged. This helps ensure you can move well and safely perform daily activities. PT gives you guidance to continue building your strength independently. It improves outcomes following abdominal surgery.
What equipment aids standing after surgery?
Supportive medical devices provide stabilization when you start standing up and walking after surgery. Some equipment recommended for assistance includes:
- Gait belt – Worn around the waist to give helpers secure handholds for support during transfers.
- Walker – Provides extra upper body support and stability for walking.
- Cane – Helps take pressure off incisions and improves balance.
- Raised toilet seat – Makes sitting and rising from the toilet less strenuous.
- Grab bars and shower chair – Provides support and stability in the bathroom.
- Recliner chair – Allows progression from lying to sitting upright.
- Abdominal binder – Compression wrap to support and protect incisions.
Raised toilet seats, grab bars, shower chairs and reclining chairs make performing daily activities less stressful. Ambulation aids like walkers prevent falls and support weak muscles. Use recommended equipment consistently until you regain strength and no longer need assistance standing up or walking distances.
How can you gradually increase activity?
Getting up after surgery should start slowly and progress gradually. Some examples of how to steadily increase physical activity during recovery include:
- Week 1 – Sit at bedside, stand and take a few steps with assistance.
- Week 2 – Take short walks around the room every 2-3 hours. Climb stairs with railings.
- Week 3 – Walk independently around home for 5-10 minutes 2-3 times daily.
- Week 4 – Increase walking distance. Go outside when weather permits.
- Week 5 – Stand during light activities like washing dishes or making meals.
- Week 6 – Resume light household chores. Go on 15-20 minute walks daily.
- Week 7-8 – Return to shopping and driving short distances. Perform comfortably standing activities.
Moving too quickly can set back your recovery. Progress gradually from shorter to longer periods of standing activity. Increase the distance you walk over time. Your doctor or physical therapist can advise when you can advance activities based on your progress. Avoid lifting, pushing or pulling anything heavy for at least 6 weeks.
What precautions should you take when standing?
To protect your incision and avoid injury when standing after abdominal surgery:
- Stand slowly and smoothly. No quick twisting motions.
- Use recommended medical equipment like walkers.
- Keep your posture slightly hunched over. Support your abdomen with pillows or hands.
- Move deliberately and pause frequently. Take breaks if fatigued.
- Limit standing time to a few minutes initially, gradually increasing over days.
- Avoid straining, bending forward or reaching overhead.
- Keep movements small. Pivot your feet, don’t twist your torso.
- Change positions carefully and deliberately..
- Ask for help until you have regained strength and balance.
Continue using pain medication as needed in the first weeks after surgery. Avoid pushing through pain or dizziness, which are signs to rest. With your doctor’s okay, apply ice packs to relieve postoperative pain and swelling.
Listen to your body and move gently. Stand only with assistance until you regain muscle control and your providers confirm you are ready for independent mobility. Avoiding falls and injury will help you recover.
What problems should you watch for when standing?
Pay close attention to your body when moving from lying to sitting to standing after surgery. Contact your provider if you experience:
- Lightheadedness, dizziness or feeling faint
- Shortness of breath, fast heart rate or sweating
- Sharp pain or stabbing around the incision site
- Increase in abdominal or back pain
- Bulging, reddening or drainage from the incision
- Weakness or inability to support your weight when standing
- Nausea, vomiting or fever
Problems like these may indicate complications like infection, blood clots, organ injury or internal bleeding after surgery. Call your surgeon or seek emergency care for concerning symptoms. Notify your provider before advancing your mobility or activities.
Conclusion
Standing up independently for the first time after major abdominal surgery requires patience and care. Have assistance ready and move deliberately to avoid strain. Use supportive devices until you rebuild core strength. Increase activity slowly over several weeks. With guidance from your care team, proper positioning, and gradual progress, you can get back on your feet safely.