20/07/2026
Just over a year since I’ve been back to work after 4 weeks off post surgery.
5 things I wish I’d known before surgery:
1. Rest is part of the recovery.
Rest isn’t something you have to earn after doing more - it’s essential for healing. There were so many days I felt guilty for doing very little, especially seeing other people online seem miles ahead. But slowing down was often exactly what my body needed.
2. Recovery takes more time than you think.
Even if you prepare yourself, healing rarely follows the timeline you imagine. Progress can be slow, unpredictable, and frustrating. Learning to be patient with yourself is one of the hardest parts.
3. It’s okay to struggle.
There will be days when you feel emotional, frustrated, or overwhelmed, even if everything seems to be going well. That doesn’t make you weak or ungrateful - it makes you human. Recovery is hard, and it’s okay to admit that.
4. The mental side can be just as challenging as the physical.
The pain gradually eases, but the fear, uncertainty, and disruption to your normal life can stay around much longer than expected. Healing isn’t only about your body - it’s also about learning to trust it again.
5. You don’t have to be strong every single day.
Some days, strength looks like smashing your rehab. Other days, it’s simply getting through the day and giving yourself some grace. Both are victories, even if they don’t always feel like it.
Lessons I never expected, but ones I truly needed.
