LAVH I freaked myself out again... possibly

Today is 11 days post op and I somehow managed to freak myself out again. This time thinking I may have an a hernia on my right side near the incision site. After googling what could be wrong I decided it could be an incisional infection b/c it's very tender and it feels hard in surrounding area. I checked my temperature more than a dozen times with two different digital thermometers. They were both in the same range 96, 97, or 98. I was told to call my doctor if my temperature was ever 100.4 it never was. Once my temperature was 99.5 and I did have chills and pain then I would take an ibuprofen 800mg and within 30 minutes or less the chills would leave the pain would be reduced but still there. I haven't experienced this since Thursday. Anyhow after a lot of walking yesterday there was a lot of discomfort and pressure but not pain that would make me take anything. I also rode in a car for almost 2 hours before and after the walking. So last night to try to wind down I took a Tylenol 500mg. It dulled the pain but after reading everything it could possibly be from googling. I was returned to this page to some older post as old as 2004. Some was repeat advice and what kept coming up was the tummy binder and ice or heating pad. Every post most said they were put in a binder after surgery or before going home. My surgeon who happens to be my gynecologist never mention anything about a binder or ice or heat. At this point i was nearly scared to death b/c I'm sure i have sepsis and a uti and I just massage the infection all around, to relieve the hardness i felt. I said to myself, try an ice pack over the incision site and tender area. I also read on here that I could take both tylenol and ibuprofen together initially, but the times would never line up the would alternate. I'm scared and I'm thinking what the heck so i pop an ibuprofen 800mg and apply ice for 20 minutes. The timer goes off and i will be a monkeys uncle the tenderness is subsiding. So I do ice on and off for about 2 hours and it does not hurt like it was. I'm trying to figure out why my doctor didn't just come out and say the ibuprofen is going to help with inflammation! Here I am thinking i have a blockage, a uti, a hernia, an incisional infection or a sepsis infection and the problem started to right itself with an ice pack and ibuprofen. I'm still going to request blood work & broad spectrum antibiotic at my 2wk on Tueaday although things feel better just to be on the safe side. My doctor will be answering some serious questions. Other than getting tired faster and two nights of insomnia one b/c i freightened myself i feel pretty good.

Please don't take an antibiotic if you don't need one! Wait and see what the doctor says.

Most likely, you have inflammation in your surgical site. You can try ibuprofen, ice on the site (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) and rest.

And try to relax.

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Originally Posted by Mindy Lee Please don't take an antibiotic if you don't need one! Wait and see what the doctor says. Most likely, you have inflammation in your surgical site. You can try ibuprofen, ice on the site (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) and rest. And try to relax.

Thank you for the advice I'm trying to relax more. I just don't want anything to go wrong recovery wise. I have scared myself more in these last 11 days than I can ever remember! I was laying on the bed today and realized i was so comfortable only to realize i was laying on my stomach. I got up as fast as I could b/c i didnt know if it is allowed yet. Jeez it felt so good but then again should I have been laying that way? It's like a never-ending bunch of questions with few concrete answers. Thank you again!

It sounds like the biggest thing you're dealing with is anxiety. Hormones are wacky right now, and it's very normal. Do talk to your doctor if it doesn't let up.

You can absolutely lay on your stomach if it isn't painful to you. I found it comfy and soothing.

try to relax...you are still early in your recovery. try to take the prescription strength tylenol on schedule to keep swelling and pain down. dont wait until you are in pain to take them.