Pain in belly after walking too much 4 months post hysterectomy

Hi Everyone,

I had a daVinci hysterectomy on 4/28/16 and had issues with a prolapsed fallopian tube. I had lap surgery to remove the tubes on 8/6/16. At about the 3 week mark I had walked for several times throughout the day at a very large conference, had dinner, and walked back to the hotel. The walk back was about 30 minutes and I ended up in a lot of pain in my belly during that walk, pretty much with every step. Unfortunately, I was not sensible enough to speak up to get a cab as I was with vendors who did not know about my medical condition. The next day I took 600 mg motrin 3 times as one of the incisions was hurting with stinging pain. Two days later I am better and no longer in pain when walking. I do have tugging and pulling on the incisions occasionally (2 small ones on the side and one longer one on the belly button at the original site of the hysterectomy)

I am so afraid that I over did it and did damage internally that will haunt me later. Please let me know what you think? Maybe only time will tell.

Many thanks for any feedback. Wishing everyone well.

Gratefully,
Marie

Marie!
Please remember that you have been through surgery. Let alone two surgeries within roughly four months. You may still have some healing going on within and it could take just a little longer . That was your body’s way of letting you to ease up a bit and to rest. Listen to your body. For peace of mind, yes you might put a call into your doctor’s office to see what they think.

Too Much Too Soon

I hope you feel better and let us know how you are doing!

Hi Lisa,

Many thanks for your reply. I had called the surgeon the next night and she advised that I use a heating pad and taking motrin. I am feeling better now, but there is still some soreness on the left side from the groin going up the sides towards the belly button. And some tugging in the belly button area. For the 2nd lap surgery the surgeon used the same incisions on the left and right sides. But for the belly button she cut just below the original one .

I'm trying to not be too discouraged and staying positive; really praying a lot! It's like I've set myself back two weeks. I also wish you well in your recovery. Take care.

Regards,
Marie

Marie,

I completely understand the frustration of wanting to feel better right away. It is like taking three steps forward yet end up falling one to two steps back. I am going to provide this link that may have some hints that might help you along the way 15 Hot Topics for Hyster Recovery .

During my own healing, I read alot of information then got some ice packs ready. Wrapped some paper towels around them then laid them on my tummy (on top of my nightgown) to help that region.

Gaining that little bit more rest and relaxation is what your body is indicting it just might need.

Thank you for those wishes sister!
One day/week at a time!

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for the link. I'm now back at home and took it easy for the past few days. I also felt bloated yesterday and realized that I had taken so many pain pills last week that I didn't have a BM for 2 days! So, I took a dulcolax to make sure I didn't strain and had BM twice today. I did a 45 minute walk as well. While eating dinner this evening, however, I had more of the pulling/tearing feeling by the belly button incision. I also have some light, constant soreness by the left incision site. I'm so worried that I caused myself harm from overdoing the walking last Sunday, Just in case, I'm calling the doctor tomorrow to see if I can get examined. I know week four just ended and I may feel better in a few more weeks. It's really scary reading about hernias and adhesions . I hope one day to get back to normal, exercise, and be healthy enough to enjoy life. Since 4/28/16, it's been difficult to be constantly worried about getting through all these challenges - sorry, I'm rambling a bit here. Anyway, hope you are doing well... and thanks for listening.

Hugs,
Marie

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to provide an update. I now have symptoms of an incisional hernia, pain in the abdomen by the belly button (2 incisions from 2 surgeries) after sitting too long at my desk job, eating dinner, walking too long, and the feeing of pressure in the groin area. I am so depressed thinking that this is the next complication I need to suffer from this hyst. Never in a million years did I think that these things would happen to me. I was not careful in taking care of myself after my second surgery.

Now, I fear getting more surgery and worst of all to have mesh put in my body to fix a hernia that may not work. I am absolutely terrified. The next challenge is finding a competent hernia surgeon. If anyone knows of a really good specialist in New York City or Long Island, NY, please private mail me. However, I am willing to travel anywhere in the U.S. to get to the best surgeon. I am dreading another several weeks of recovery and pray for no more complications.

No matter how many times it has been said, anyone under going abdominal surgery/hyst must be super careful afterwards. This is where not traveling ie. by plane, attending a convention, staying home and resting for several weeks is vital. Avoid any exertion of your stomach muscles at all cost until fully recovered - up till one year.

I'm single, no kids, and ffifty years old. My father passed when I was 25; I did not get to see him before he passed. And, I have tried to be successful in my career for his sake as I know he wanted that desperately for me. I really pushed myself hard at work to the neglect of my health, missing an ever growing fibroid. I look back and realize that all things must be done in moderation and balance - body, mind, and spirit. In neglecting my health for so long I am paying now to take care of it. I also chose not to have kids, but sometimes I look back wistfully to think that I may have liked to have one or two. Practical thoughts always enter my mind to say that I never met the right person to marry and have kids.

I love doing sports and traveling. I have no idea what my life will be like after hernia surgery. Please pray for me. You are all in my prayers. I found hystersisters after my hyst. It's been a tremendous help. I wish I had found about it sooner. I did not do my research and no one told me about the complications from a hyst. I did not get a second opinion and trusted the first surgeon too easily. I think I am the poster child for what not to do when traveling down this path.

I'm going back to sleep for thirty minutes and then face another day at work. I will be trying to get tests done this week to confirm this suspicion of hernia. I wish everyone well and speedy recovery. Take care.

Marie

Hi Marie , I'm sending a hug your way and prayers for u . I'm praying for your peace of mind and that you will find the best doctor to help u right now : ) try not to be too hard on yourself. We all can only go forward from today and try to learn from our experiences right ? Keep us posted ok ? It's easy to get freaked out after this surgery . I had incisional hernia repair with my hyster 7 weeks ago. The other day I was out a long time shopping with my daughter and had burning sharp pain up near my belly button that got worse with each step ! ( my hernia repair and new incision are down at bikini line ) so I didn't know WHAT happened ! I iced when I got home and rested the rest of the evening. So far , it hasn't come back . I was worried I did something too : ( ugh !!! Take care .

Hi Lisa,

Thank you for your kind words and prayers. I realize that I don't forgive myself too easily - it was my GYN who pointed that out to me! I guess in trying to figure out why certain things happen, especially bad things, I end up trying to either take the blame or even worse blame someone else . And, this is when I have to remember that certain things are out of my control and I have go with the flow and move on. Getting stuck is no good.

I did see the nurse practitioner today and she did not feel any bulges and I was not in any pain when she pressed on various places on my abdomen along the incisions. I've read that sometimes that there is no bulge at the early stages of incisional hernia. I also realize that the burning and soreness has happened when I'm out at dinner probably due to the length of time sitting at the table vs being home where I get up to do the dishes and I'm not sitting as long. I am still having all sorts of intermittent pulling, tearing, pinching sensations all over the belly. I'll see her in two weeks and she will order scans if I have no improvement.

I'm sorry to hear that you are going through your own healing pains - I wish you a speedy recovery. Please take care and rest. There will be tons of shopping to do once we are all healed . I no longer fit into any of my work pants as I've lost 11 lbs since surgery and can't seem to gain any weight. I'm doing nothing more than walking for exercise until I gain more strength. I've discovered steel cut oatmeal and love having it with different berries and walnuts. I'm more cognizant of eating healthy, cutting out all the unhealthy snacks, and drinking more water, but haven't started down the road of taking more supplements as yet. Anyway, thanks again for listening and responding to my post. Wishing you well...

Hugs!
Marie