Horizontal or Vertical Incision? Which is better?

Hi there,
I am having a TAH (keeping ovaries) on Jul. 3rd and doc told me I will be getting a "bikini line incision". Do those heal faster? How about the pain, do you feel less pain with the horizontal incisions? Anyone's experience will be helpful

btw I am sooo scared, not about the surgery but about the recovery and the "what if's", like infection, bowel or bladder nicks during surgery, i'm so scared something is going to happen So any good outcomes would be appreciated as well

I have had both with 2 different c sections. I think the "bikini cut" was easier to recover from. So this should be good for you!!

Think positive!!

I had a TAH on May 6th leaving only my right ovary. I had a vertical incision starting above the belly button.
Im still sore in my abdomen muscles and get swelly on each side of my incision. I took no pain meds, not even tylenol or advil. Just heat and ice.
I did have a yeast infection the 2nd week home from the antibiotics i was on. Its gone. I thought i was gonna have a uti infection the 3rd week from my symptoms, but i was a clear. It was healing symptoms.
I had no bowel issues...in fact, ive been better from the release of pressure off my bowels from the 4 pound and fibroid ridden uterus. I did have bladder spams after coming home which were quite weird.
Good luck to you.........

Hi - I'm July 3rd too, TAH

My dr. said he would do a bikini line right over my old C-section scar. I hope he still plans to do that after seeing I have adhesions connecting my bowel to the rest of the fracas in there. I have my pre-op on June 23rd and that's one of the questions on the list.

Hi scdw90!

Neither a vertical nor horizontal incision is superior to the other. The surgeon will use whatever will best serve your medical needs.

I had a bikini-line horizontal incision with my hysterectomy five years ago, and a vertical incision from my public bone to above the navel for my colon cancer surgery in January of 2007. Both incisions healed well without incident.

I'm sending many positive thoughts your way for a successful surgery and uneventful recovery.

Skipper65~Hope the pre-op goes good for you, mine is June 25th and I also have a big list of questions & concerns
Keep me posted as to how you are doing

Bizet thank you so much for your kind response

Hi there... ah not to worry, think postively and all will go well my dear...

I had a hysterectomy with the removal of one ovary 7 weeks ago now, and a vertical insicion from below the belly button to the pubic bone. The doctor took out all the staples one week after surgery and put steri strips on the incision. The steristrips came off about a week later. The only time my tummy was sore is if i over did it during the day other than that I have not had any problems at all healing.

I think the trick is to rest, rest and rest some more. Do a little bit of walking from day to day BUT please let people take care of you for a few weeks, and dont lift a finger around the house.

I have never had an bikini line inscion so I cannot comment on that one.

Hope that helped set ur mind at ease.

Take care of you,