Tom... I'd go with Wheelchair's (and others') advice -- take it easy. I've had a fair share of run-ins with skin issues and working with some top-notch wound healing docs. What I've learned over the years is that (in general) it takes about a year to regain the maximum skin strength at a wound or surgical site... a.k.a. "tensile strength."
The average or median tensile strength of skin that has healed over *ONE time* is only approximately 80% of what it originally was. And it doesn't get too much stronger over time; it stays at, or near, that 80% high point of skin/tensile strength. If you overdo it this time and RE-injure the same area, it's maximum strength after another year re-healing drops to 64%. And it keeps decreasing after each subsequent injury to 51%, 40%, 32%, 25%... and so on. I've had areas break down and/or have surgical alterations (i.e. flaps) in the same area few times. It isn't fun!!! If you've been injured once, baby it as much as you can. The general stats for quads/paras who get skin injuries aren't encouraging. Avoiding breakdown #1 should be Priority #1. After the first, subsequent breakdowns *anywhere* come with less aggrevation than normally required because everything from the way you sit to the way you move is different. Take Caution at All Costs! I'd hate to see you having issues like I've seen others. (...I had a friend who was completely bedbound for years except for Dr. appointments for just this reason.) Best wishes for a FULL recovery, --Tod ---- [email protected] wrote: > Slow Down, my friend... your moving too fast. Bodies heal at different > speeds, often depending on your makeup and diet. Treat your body (skin) > with > more kindness... for a while and see what happens. You might have to use > some mobility aids for awhile, until your skin has a chance to grow and > toughen. > Only then.... you can begin to avoid the temporary helpers. > > Best Wishes > > > In a message dated 10/9/2009 6:18:36 P.M. Central Daylight Time, > [email protected] writes: > > Thanks for your input. I'm trying to avoid lifts, hoyers aides, etc.Before > the surgery, I had no problems in transferring and being independent. I > really want to avoid buying more equipment and being so dependent on them. I > wantto transfer from the 'chair on to an activaid shower seat. Am I crazy? > am I pushing my recovery too much? > Thanks, > Tom > >
