Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Katymac on March 01, 2019, 07:08:16 PM
-
It's 20 weeks since I had my op and my tummy is still very sore, as is round my scar and where the drain was
The GP and the nurse have brushed it off several times before now saying it's normal and to be expected
What I don't know is how long other people have had pain for & what is normal after having your ovaries and tubes out? Plus a load of scar tissue and adhesions which I guess add to it
-
Ring the Secretary of the Surgeon who did your operation and ask the question? If you are worried your GP should refer you back. However, have you been advised to massage oils into the scars?
-
No & I'd be scared to as I have skin allergies to odd things
I think it's more inside but ringing the sec is prob a good idea, I might do that thanks
-
We don't bite ;). The aftercare in the UK is disastrous. Years ago one was referred to the appropriate Consultant who would see the patient through until all problems were sorted, not refer them back to the 'care of the GP' who is a GP for a reason :bang:. You should have been advised on scar care prior to discharge >:(. Are you allergic to butter?
-
Well I'm dairy free, egg free, soya free in my diet
I also have intolerances to coconut and almond
I have drug allergies to trimethoprim and nitrofuratin
And contact allergies to metals, plastics, rubbers and adhesives
I react if I use toiletries, make up or perfumes and some cleaning stuff
I can use oli of play, aqueous cream and an aloe vera gel but only for a day then I'll react so it's easier not to
I was terrified at the patches but I haven't reacted much and when I woke up after surgery to find I'd been glued I was literally shocked! Blood pressure dropped, skin clayey but I didn't react to that either so maybe I am getting better
-
Katy. Did you have laparoscopic (keyhole) or open surgery? Where is your scar/scars?
I know we had the same op.
I still had pain at 20 weeks. It was internal. Not like period pain more like ovarian pain.
The doc had me scanned (trans V ultrasound) and they said all looked o.k.
I think it's a good idea of CLKD to phone the sec. Maybe you can have a scan. It might put your mind at rest. I know that feeling of "what's going on inside me? Is everything healing o.k" I felt the same.
When did you last have the scars checked? Are they red?
-
They change between red and a dark purple
I had a big op/scar 6 inches (ish) plus 2 smaller ones (one for the drain and one in my belly button)
It hurts standing next to the kitchen worksurface as I sort of brush agaisnt it and it's better with tight clothes (thinking about buying spanx) plus anywhere on my belly hurts to press
I wonder if I'm anxious because my patch is running out ::) but it is very much "that feeling of "what's going on inside me? Is everything healing o.k" "
I have acupuncture and she is concerned about the scar but also accepts I heal slowly, we know this from previous scars/sores - she was also cross/sad about the glueing after I said I was sensitive to glue!!
-
I had the tummy button. One about an inch to the side and the bikini one. My bikini one was quite large too about 6 inches. She did tell me it would be as my cyst was large.
I think if the scars aren't angry red and itchy or hot then it's probably not infection.
I am not a good healer either. My scars always stay red /dark purple for ages and with previous ops my stitches have never been ready to come out when they should do. They always send me away to come back in a week or so.
With this op my dissolvable stitches didn't dissolve.properly She pulled them out with her fingers but I was so numb I didn't feel it.
I had realy bad bruising around the main scar for weeks after as well.
Bearing the slow healing in mind though think of all the internal stitches and internal healing that has to be done. My tummy is still swollen and numb to light touch but hurts when I lay on it or press.
So wrong about the glue
I still cant wear anything too tight around my tummy. Anything that digs in. Its realy painful.
Guess we need to give ourselves more time.
Is your bikini scar bumpy? Mine is and it looks like railway tracks across it.
A few years ago I had to have a lump in the front of my neck removed by a maxi facial surgeon and the scar was amazing. It was the most fine delicate scar it was a work of art. It healed to a fine silver slither And I'm someone who still has an angry red scar 2 years later from a bee sting. So he did a beautiful job.
I guess that's the difference between a craftsman and the hamfisted gynae who left me with a lumpy bumpy train track!!!
X
-
Hi there.
Try some largish pants to support your tummy....... I had x2 c sections in 11 months and the scars can be sore for a while....
-
Hi I had an abdominal hysterectomy Oct 2017 due to huge fibroids I'm also a slow healer and I have to say it took months and months to not get the twangs of discomfort, even now the scar is still at times uncomfortable at times. But more internally if that makes sense. My tummy is also still swollen at times and a bit uncomfortable, it is getting better just VERY slowly. Give it time IME it takes so much longer than they say, I was told it depends on the internal work done and don't be surprised if it takes longer than a year to feel back to normal. Hang in there it is hard not to worry though x
-
Smitten. I think your right about the internal work.
Interestingly my mum told me the other day it took her a year to get over her hysterectomy too.
-
OK that tells me to calm down and deal with it - sometimes that's all I need ::)
-
It is major surgery. My appendix scar was sensitive for years ........ I was supposedly to have keyhole Surgery: think they used the key to Westminster Abbey ;D
When tired, it would be sore from inside - if that makes any sense :-\
I did wonder about rubbing a small amount of butter over the scar, very gently ........ aloe vera is used for people with allergies :-\
-
I can use aloe once every 2 or 3 days
So I may try that
But knowing it's normal is fab tbh
-
Same here
-
It's bizarre they say driving at 6 weeks and back to work - but I am onluy just ready to go back to work (well get a job really)
-
That's interesting about being more discomfort when tired at the end of the day I'm literally dog tired and it can be more sensitive and I'll be a year and a half post hysterectomy in April :-\ my experience has been panic am I healing ok and searching for others experiences online after being told initially it should only take 6-12 weeks from my experience that's just not the case.
I wonder if you can use Shea butter I use that on my scar and it's been great! For me it was good few months until it felt comfy enough to do that though it was so sensitive. In the meantime I used aloe Vera lotion.
It's been a long tough recovery for me but it's gett better just slowly :-*
-
Don't forget that laying down uses different muscles than when walking/standing so is it not reasonsable to assume that as the day goes by the body will become tired and those muscles will be affected. After my appendix was removed [14.02.1991 - what a Girl does to get flowers ;D ] I was told not to drive for at least 6 weeks, due to sudden braking probably causing internal damage, also, the Insurance Company insisted on 6 weeks post surgery. By week 5 I knew that if I didn't get behind the wheel that day, I never would - so took myself off a t quiet time around the village driving carefully.
I was told not to lift anything heavier than a kettle but the day after discharge our heating packed up so I was carrying a blow heater from room to room ........
You have had a general anaesthetic probably and these are huge surgical interventions. The body can go into shock when interfered with. After my 3 wisdom teeth were removed under GA I was OK for 10 days then suddenly flopped. Became *extremely* tired, had to sleep for nearly 2 days ........ give yourselves some slack, get those feet up, cuppa to hand ;)
-
I have a few ops on the tummy area, 3 C sections and a hysterectomy and yes it is normal to have pain after for some time because the nerves have been cut and everything needs time to heal up. One thing my doctor mentioned don't put anything on it unless they give you it because it may become infected.(I was allergic to the latex bandages and that drove me nuts with the itching and redness) After I took a shower I used the hairdryer on my tummy to dry it off and not touch around that area. If it looks very red and swollen and you think its infected then contact the doctor right away. Good luck healing and give yourself time..I used a great website called Hystersisters.com where many women share their experiences with recovery.
-
We forget too that the body is layered so each layer of skin, muscle etc. needs to be cut through and the re-stitched. Bound to be bruising inside too!
-
It does take a long time to heal, after my abdominal hysterectomy I wasn't allowed to do anything but rest for 2 weeks and like CKLD not lift anything heavier than a kettle, couldn't drive for 6 weeks nightmare when you live in a rural area & need a car! Soreness took a long time to go even now after 2 years I still niggles & round the scar it's still numb.