Three-Week Post-Op Update: Turning a Corner
This past week has felt like a big shift both physically and mentally. At two weeks, I was cautiously celebrating the milestone of seeing my first client again. Now, at the three-week mark, I feel like I’ve truly turned a corner in recovery.
I’ve accepted that my first goal shouldn’t be chasing step counts or structured workouts, but simply being able to get through a normal day. Caring for my kids, running errands, seeing clients, managing our household, and still having energy left… that feels like the real benchmark of healing.
And the exciting news? I’m getting there.
Last Thursday was the first day I walked without low back or nerve pain and it was almost like flipping a switch. For four days in a row now, that post-op stent pain and nerve irritation that had been plaguing me seem to be gone. Instead, I’ve only felt occasional soreness across my low back from being more active, which feels like a huge win. The PT in me kept wanting to “fix” it, but the reality is, my body just needed time to heal and adjust to the stent.
Day-to-day, I’m averaging about 7,500–8,000 steps, with one day hitting over 11k without a big flare. My body still reminds me to slow down, mild bloating and abdominal discomfort show up if I overdo it, but it’s a far cry from those early setbacks.
Before Surgery: The Symptoms I Faced
Abdominal bloating, pain & nausea with exertion: Still present at the end of busy days, but less severe. I’m averaging ~8,000 steps/day and even had one day over 11k without a major flare. Not back to pre-surgery baseline yet, but moving closer.
Right leg swelling (worse than left): Still there, though not tested with long standing.
Burning in feet/lower legs: No issues (likely due to pacing activity).
Left foot swelling & pain when walking: Not present.
POTS symptoms: No dizziness, though HR still spikes with position changes.
Post-Surgery: Three Weeks In
Low back/tailbone pain: Pretty much gone! Just mild soreness a couple times from activity or prolonged positions.
Pelvic/abdominal pain: No longer daily, but still worsens with walking or bloating.
Bloating: Low overall, as long as I’m pacing.
GI symptoms: Still a little off.
Left hip/buttocks nerve pain: Gone!
Fatigue: Pacing helps, but naps on the weekend still make a difference.
What I’m Able to Do Now
Walk up to 2 miles at a time
Daily mobility, diaphragmatic breathing, and core activation (hoping to add bodyweight strength soon if tolerated)
Driving
Pretty much back to normal around the house
Worked at 85% capacity last week, aiming for 100% this week
Went camping over the weekend: setup, campfires, beach naps, all without setbacks (though more activity = more bloating)
Reflections
Mentally, I’m in such a better place than I was just one week ago. I no longer feel like this surgery made me worse. Instead, I feel closer than ever to baseline and more confident that real improvement is coming.
I’m also working on shifting my mindset around goals. Before surgery, I relied on rigid routines like walking 5–6 miles a day and lifting 4x/week to keep myself consistent. Now, my focus is different:
If I’m feeling good, I’ll get a walk in.
If I’m feeling good, I’ll test a bodyweight circuit.
If I’m not, I’ll rest without guilt.
Interestingly, I had a minor surgery last week to remove a severely atypical mole from my shoulder (a good reminder: get your skin checked!). They had to cut about an inch and a half so the stitches mean I can’t lift with my upper body for 2 weeks, and honestly, I think the timing is perfect. It’s forcing me not to overdo it now that I’m feeling better from the stent surgery. Instead, I’ll gradually increase walking to 10k steps and ease back into lower body bodyweight strength before rebuilding more.
Looking Ahead
It feels good to say I’m close to baseline and no longer questioning whether surgery set me back. Instead, I’m shifting focus to regaining fitness and testing how my symptoms respond in this next phase. I’m hopeful that in a few months, I’ll be able to run, push hard, and feel the satisfying exhaustion of a workout without weeks of setbacks. That’s something I won’t ever take for granted again.
I don’t plan to post another recovery update until my one-month mark on August 28th (unless something major changes). In the meantime, I’ll be working on more educational content about May-Thurner Syndrome: the symptoms, struggles, and strategies that can help.
If you’re navigating this condition, or supporting someone who is, please know you’re not alone. And if you ever want to connect or ask questions, reach out on Instagram @jewel_pt or by email at kristen@jewelpt.com. Sometimes the best medicine is simply being understood.
