LAVH still feeling twinges and pinches after 7 months

I had my LAVH seven months ago. I'm starting to realize hat they weren't kidding when they said you won't feel normal until between 6 months to a year post-surgery. I am getting so impatient about the healing process. I still feel pinching sensation in the vaginal cuff after intercourse. It is about to drive me mad. My gyn wanted to said me to therapy (vaginal?) but I have put it off. Anybody else experiencing pinching months after surgery?

Hi campingcat,

I had surgery last February as well. I had the pinching sensation for the first 3-4 months or so. I ended up having granulation on my cuff and needed a couple of sliver nitrate treatments, which definitely helped. I also had what my doctor referred to as an "irritated nerve", that was treated with an office procedure.

Has your doctor checked you for granulation or anything like that? What sort of therapy are they suggesting?

I'm sorry that you are still having problems!! I sure hope that you're feeling better soon!

Keep us posted on your progress.

Hi Jenny,
Thanks for writing! My gyn didn't go into too much detail on the therapy. I think they use something to stretch the area? Maybe some type of vaginal therapy to fix the tightness up at the cuff? I didn't want to know for some reason! So, I just said I think I'll wait a little longer. I was checked for granulation-- and was told it wasn't an issue. It's mainly on the left side. He kept saying something about sewing up the cuff very tightly so, get this, "my vaginal wouldn't fall out" (yikes). It has improved over the last month, so I'm hoping I eventually won't feel it anymore. I've always been a slow healer-- it took nearly a year to feel normal after i had a lap for endometriosis. So, right now I'll chalk it up to slow healing... Are you feeling normal now after your treatments? I hope so!

I'm glad to hear that it is improving with time. Hopefully it won't be long before you are feeling no pain at all!

in whatever you decide to do!

BTW...I'm feeling totally back to, actually better than, normal now. It's amazing going through every month with no pain!!! You'll get there too!!!

Jenny,
I am curious. I can't quite figure out if exercising vigorously is slowing down healing. I've been known to get on the elliptical for 8-10 miles at a time, but only 2x a week. It is hard not to exercise because I need to stave off mild depression. I do tend to overdo it, but I really thought, at 7 months post-op, it couldn't be the exercise that made me sore in the cuff. I would get sore after intercourse and when I exercised that soreness would get a bit worse...
Anyway, did you exercise at all during your healing process, or do you know if most women do exercise in the year following surgery?

I can't speak to what most women do...but personally, I eased back into an exercise routine slowly, starting at about 3-4 months post-op. I'm pretty much going full swing now. My exercise of choice is swimming, and I swam miles and miles this summer, with no cuff problems at all. I run a little as well...no problems there either.

You and your doctor would be the only ones that can decide what is best for you, but if something is causing you pain, you should probably limit that activity. Maybe instead of 8-10 miles 2x per week, go 1-2 miles 4x per week....just a thought.

I also used a lot of lubricant during intercourse for a while after I was cleared...that definitely made a difference for me.

I really enjoy exercising and I tend to push myself, but you are right about slowing things down. I'm not doing myself any good overdoing it. I like your plan; now to stick with it. And, so glad to hear you can both run and swim! I so want to be able to get back to jogging, but working out without listening to my body is not the way to get there! Instead, I need to be mindful of where I'm at. It's not easy when you weight is creeping on as well. I get so frustrated and anxious.

If anyone else is getting extremely impatient with their recovery, I would be interested in your story.