Incision

I'm going in for a TAH BSO on Tuesday, Feb. 8. My doctor gave me the option of having a bikini incision or an abdominal incision. I told her that my bikini days are over and I wanted her to do whatever was easiest for her. She said the abdominal incision was easiest, so I gave her the go ahead. My children are grown, so I have no little ones to worry about, and my husband will take good care of me while I'm recovering, but some friends of mine are insisting I go with the bikini. They say the recovery is much easier. I am paranoid about this anyway and want my doctor to have all the room she needs to do her job. Should I rethink this or let the doctor do what she needs to do?

Kath

I already had a bikini incision from an ectopic pregnancy I had 28 years ago, so I elected for my DR to open that door again!

I am recovering quite well.

I agree with you to let your doc decide what will work best.

I was told that I would have a "T" incision -- a horizontal one for the panniculectomy and a vertical for the hyst. But when I woke up, they said they were able to do it through the one horizontal incision.

If it's any help, I have had both vertical and horizontal incisions with surgery and my one "vertical" incision (with my second c-section) was actually an easier recovery than either of my bikini incisions..

You'll have pain and/or discomfort no matter which way you go. And, It's not the incision that dictates the recovery period -- it's what else happens in surgery, combined with your overall physical condition, which determines your recovery -- at least in my opinion.

Good luck to you!

Hi Kath,


I had a TAH, 2 and half weeks ago. My surgeon said he may have to do a vertical incision because of the size of my womb ( it was the size of a 5 month pregnancy due to multiple fibroids). I was a bit worried about having a big scar but happy to go with his advice. When I came round I found he had used a bikini line incision and I have a neat little scar about 6 inches long. I have felt brilliant since the op and feel back to normal really although still taking it very easy anyway. The surgeon said it was difficult to remove the uterus but he managed to do a great job and I have had very little pain.
Hope your op goes as well as mine did. Good luck.