TAH/BSO Advice Please

I am 14 days post op. I had an 18lb 2oz ovarian cyst/mass removed and i am still awaiting biopsy reports.
Firstly i know i dont need it but could anyone tell me the need to remove my appendix.

its still very tender and slightly painful when i need to open my bowels,i am not constipated. When i urinate i get a dull pain in my lower abdomen as if i still need to go. Is this normal ???

My incision is vertical and went past my tummy button, the "cut" by my tummy button is the sorest part and there seems to be quite a hard lump there is this normal.

I have been taking it easy only walking short distances and getting plenty of rest, my husband has hired a wheel chair for me so if i feel the need to go further afield he wheels me to save me from walking. When should i be able to do light meals etc.

Any advice for post TAH/BSO would be greatly appreciated
Thank You
quizjunky

And I thought my fibroids were huge! Nothing compared to your's though. My tumors turned out to be benign, and I'm praying yours will be too.

I have a vertical incision that went past my belly button, too. It continues to be the most tender part of my incision, especially if I sit too much. I also found that the soreness lasted a lot longer than I thought it would all over my abdomen. My doc said that the muscles and nerves were taking longer to heal, since my tummy had been so stretched because of the tumors.

Be careful with pain on urination. You should let the doc know in case you have a urinary tract infection. You might want to try stool softeners (not laxatives!) to help with bowel issues. Milk of Mag helped me immensely.

I was doing light meals at 2 weeks, but mostly because I live alone and didn't want to bother anyone. I'm walking 20-30 minutes a day in addition to being back at work now full time. The walking I started at 4 weeks, doctor's orders to help me get my strength back. I think it helped.

Take it easy and try not to spend too much time in one position.

s

Gina

Dear you are only 14 days post op with a vertical incision. I admit at two weeks that's when I started going stir crazy. But that still didn't mean I was ready to do anything. And from what they removed I imagine you will be tender for longer than most of us. Please do take it easy. Slow walks are great. Your hubby is a dear to get a chair so you don't have to walk long distances. It can be so tiring and we usually don't realize we've gone too far till we are too far.
My mom had here appendix removed when she had her hyster years ago. I've read from other posts that many just do it so you don't require surgery again--in case it gets infected. I didn't ask my dr to do it, but I know it is a common procedure.
I didn't really start eating regular meals till real late. It just felt better to eat many small ones. I really wish I was still doing that. It made so much more sense.
Take it easy in your recovery. Drink plenty of water along with those walks. It helps clean out the body. Hugs
Tricia

You're still very early in your recovery, and just think of all the stuff still inside you that the doctor(s) had to smush around to get that cyst/mass out of you.

After my TAH I complained regularly to my doctor about a pain that I equated to a really bad stitch in my side (like when you run too much and have to hold your side). He smiled, looked at me and said, that's where I tied everything up real tight. (and an ovary was removed).

I had that "stitch in my side" feeling for well over 6 months. And every time I saw the doctor I saw "are ya sure???"

My Doctor only took out anything that looked like it needed to come out. Healthy stuff he left in, so I still have my appendix. I've read about many people on this site who had it removed at the same time.

As to the vertical incision. Right at my waist was where I had the most discomfort. I would put a pad (adhesive side out) there to kind of well, pad the area from my waistband. I had no lumpiness. The cut around my bellybutton was sore a good 8 weeks later.

I was eating fairly normal from the get go ... with the exception of vegetables ... I just didn't have a taste for them for quite some time. My doctor was adamant about eating a lot of protein to help with the healing process.

Hope you see something in this post that might help ya a little bit. All the best to you!

BSQ