RE: Silver Nitrate & Recovery

I am 10 weeks post-op from TVH/BSO & bladder sling surgery. I have had silver nitrate treatments the last two weeks and my third treatment scheduled for next week. Am I doing something wrong with the healing process? The silver nitrate treatments are uncomfortable and it just doesn't seem that I am ever going to heal. Any advice?

Awwww, I'm so sorry you're having a hard time recovering completely. I had trouble with granulation tissue, too. After a treatment of silver nitrate my doctor determined mine was too much for that alone and I ended up having LEEP and a couple of more silver nitrate treatments after that. It did heal! My doctor didn't have an explanation as to why some women experience the granulation and others don't. He apologized for all the trouble I was going through - he's so sweet! Don't worry that you're doing something wrong, you just don't heal the same as others. Be assured eventually it will be all behind you and you'll be fully recovered. You're lucky yours was found so early. I was in my 7th month of recovery before visible symptoms appeared!

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is LEEP?

I am at 8 weeks post-op today and have had this discharge problem, as well. I've had several nitrate treatments, and it seems it's just going to take time. I've been very discouraged having to wear these pantyliners for so long, but I guess I will eventually be fine! Keep your chin up!

Sorry! That's one I always have to look up. LEEP stands for Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure. Basically it cuts away affected tissue with an electric current, if I understood the brochure I read about it correctly. The vaginal cuff is numbed first and the procedure, in my case, was done right in the doctor's office.

You aren't doing anything wrong. I had my surgery May 21 and I have had 5 silver nitrate treatments in the doc's office and am scheduled for my third LEEP procedure tomorrow (in the hospital)for granulation tissue and I am now nine months post op. My doc says he gets about one patient a year like that and I guess I'm just the unlucky one. Last time I saw him he told me he was tired of looking at me (ditto) so I'm not looking forward to tomorrow. I try not to get too upset about it as it is a very minor thing compared to what some of the sisters have had to endure. I will say a prayer that your next treatment will be your last one. Henri

Hi there.

I just had my second silver nitrate procedure yesterday. Because I kept my cervix, my doc wanted to make sure I was not having "mini periods." So far, it seems to only happen on Mondays and Tuesdays; after I over-exert myself on the weekends. She did say she'd do some "creative thinking" if it continues to be a problem (like something lapascopic, I think).

Although it's frustrating and discouraging to have to keep wearing panty liners, it's SO much better than what was going on pre-op! (Actually, when I was cramping during the procedure yesterday, I was thinking: "Oh yeah . . . NOW I remember what cramps feel like.") It was good to know that was behind me, too.

Take care, all. Just try to remember that healing can take up to a year (according to my doc), and that we need to listen to our bodies and slow down (well, try to, anyway!).

Hi,
I'm suppose to have a possible silver nitrate treatment Wed (3/4) for granulation. I was having problems with spotting/pain after sex. I wasn't having any problems after my dr released me but developed in about week 10. I was suppose to go last Thursday but a snow storm made me reshedule. Now the problem seems to have stopped-do I need to still go or cancel. I'd feel like a hyperchondriac if I go Wed and there is nothing wrong. Let me know if you had the same problems.
Mary

Mary

Don't cancel your appointment. My gyno said the problem will not go away without treatment. I have one of the more stubborn cases of granulation tissue I have ever heard of and I seldom have any bleeding. Henri

Mary, definitely keep that appointment. I didn't spot all the time either, even after sex. It won't go away on its own. Just for peace of mind it's worth it to be checked out even if your doctor ends up finding nothing.