LAVH Should this be happening? Frustrated at 7 weeks post hysterectomy, bleeding, cramping & blood clots

Hi there,

So it seems that my hysterectomy didn't go as smoothly as I was lead to believe it would. I've been back at the Dr's almost every week since with one problem or another. I had a 7 week appointment on Tuesday where he had to cauterize my vaginal incision (2nd time) as I was still spotting consistently to the point it registered in my urine sample and I've been cramping like crazy. I asked why this kept happening and he said that my incision was healing unevenly, at different heights so it has been tugging on the incision and stitches. But then he said I could re-assume my regular life including intercourse. So the next day I went grocery shopping and carried in all the groceries by myself. I made an evening meal for my husband and I. I was exhausted and crampy but I expected to be. I went to bed early as I could barely keep my eyes open by 8:30. I woke up the next morning having soaked through the light pad I had worn and had cramps like I have never had before. When I went to the bathroom I passed a pretty large clot. I spoke with my Dr and he said for me to go to the emergency room and have the ER call him in and get a CT scan. We were there for 7 hours, they gave me fluids and a CT scan. My Dr never came. He left a message that my scan looked fine but to come into the office on Friday and he would see me in person. Naturally I was very frustrated as the ER Dr who took care of me told me GYN was not his speciality and didn't want to comment and contradict my Dr. The only thing he could tell me was that he did in fact still see some blood clots.
So I woke up this morning and had the same thing, soaking through a pad with clots, regular bleeding like a period and cramps. My Dr's office called me and gave me an appointment for Tuesday. When I informed them that he wanted to see me today I was told that he wasn't even in the office until next Tuesday!! And he wanted to be the one to examine me on Tuesday not anyone else. Meanwhile I should "rest" and no intercourse or using a tampon.

Has anyone else experienced this at 7 weeks? I am so very frustrated and upset as he had told me 6-8 weeks healing.

Thanks for letting me vent.

S-J

Hello Felix72…

I am sorry to hear that you are having these challenging times. There are many factors to consider even when in recovery. No matter the week of healing only the body is going to convey how it wants to heal or if it might need some more time.

Surgery absolutely overwhelms the system. This can also affect your overall immune system and thus we get sick a bit more often. Recovery post surgery is not always text book nor follows one path as everyone heals differently.

The image of what recovery might look like tends to differ in how it actually happens. Though you received the green light for intimacy, it doesn’t mean you have to dive right into such. You have so much more healing going on internally especially along your vaginal cuff. That comes first. There are some vaginal cuffs that do need a little extra nudge in order to heal as those stitches gradually come out.
I can hear your frustration especially with wanting to get taken care of and move forward with your healing journey. Full recovery time can take from 4 to 6 months though for some sisters it may take a year.

Rest. Drink tons and tons of water as it helps to promote good tissue healing. Find some movies or books or play games on a handheld device (this site even has a Game section too) even though you may be ready to resume life. This is your one chance to heal and do so properly.

You will get there sweetie. One day/week at a time.

Please let us know how you are doing!
Sending your way.