The last couple of months I have been so happy with my new C.Bechstein. Unfortunately I have had a lot of pain in my leg lately which bothered me when I play the piano.
Last week I found out this pain is caused by a tumor in my abdomen, fortunately benign.
I'll have to have surgery in three weeks and after that I will have to recover for six weeks. Besides the stress, the pain and the worries about my family I am also a bit sad about not being able to play the piano for quite a while.
Has anyone here had (abdominal) surgery and how long did it take you to play the piano again?

I've had two abdominal surgeries (appendectomy and hysterectomy). Both were laparascopic, though, so cutting of muscle tissues was minimized. My recollection is that physically I was okay to sit on a bench and play after just a couple of days, though to be honest I was so worn out/tired that I didn't play for long stretches. The pain medicine might have had something to do with that, too.

I would just say, take it easy, and trust your body. If it hurts, don't play.

Good luck! I'm happy that your tumor is benign. Hopefully this whole thing will be behind you in a few weeks.

p.s. Here's the most helpful piece of advice I will give you: Ask your doctor for stool softeners, and start taking them right after or even before your surgery. You're probably going to want or need narcotic pain meds, and those will clog you up like nothing imaginable. And, believe me, you don't want to be straining to go to the bathroom after having abdominal surgery.

That's exactly the same advise I gave in the Tech forum about hernia surgery......... and it's darn good advise. Your piano will still be there when you're ready. Take time to heal.

I too have had two abdominal surgeries, small bowel resections, unfortunately not laparascopic. I came home from the hospital 9 days after going in (this was 43 years ago), but I think I could sit down at the piano for at least a few minutes right away. My best suggestion: do not be 7½ mos. pregnant going in.

I too had an open inguinal hernia surgery (lower abdominal) several years ago. It was out-patient and I was back home that afternoon. I thought I was doing just great until I got choked on some Coke-a-cola; wow, did it burn and sting while coughing!

Anyway, I was feeling pretty well in a couple of days and was mowing my lawn on the riding mower three days later.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

I'll be having dental implant surgery on Monday, and that has me nervous...

Rick

Dutchpiano:

Sorry to hear but peanuts for state of the art Dutch medicine!

Guarantee you will feel better in only few days after and rock your piano as never before!

best wishes

Norbert

It sounds like they want to do an open incision (that would be 6 weeks recovery) You may want to see if laproscopic is an option. My Dad just had a Kidney cyst removed this week via laproscopic, (Divinci Robototic surgery). It's a much shorter recovery - 1-3 weeks.

Thank you all for your kind words. They are indeed going for an open incision, laparoscopic isn't an option.
Rick, good luck to you!