Just wondering

Hi all well I had my lapro/vaginally assisted hysterectomy and was having the uterus and cervix removed and my healing process is going well went home the next afternoon and its been a week since surgery. My question is how many internal stitches would I have inside give or take. I never asked the doctor how many there would be up inside but am assuming I have some up there... When should I expect to see them being passed? Just worried about tearing any stitches if overdoing it. Trying my best to take it easy and have been experiencing some emotional highs and lows as well how do you deal with them new changes...and hot flashes there are tolerable..

Lisa

Hi Lisa

I had the same question as you (see thread in the post op section - LAVH vs TVH) and have received some good advice as well as an interesting website with lots of detailed information about the LAVH. The url I was given is:
http://www.laparoscopyhospital.com/L...terectomy.html

Hope it's helpful.

I had my LAVH on 7th Aug and am feeling really good right now. Bleeding stopped 3 days ago and now am starting to do more - being really careful in case the bleeding starts again (am expecting it to as nothing can be as easy as this surely?)

When I went to see my Dr for my 1 week post op check on Monday she told me that she did the op laparascopically and the uterus and fibroid were removed vaginally. She said I only needed a few stitches at the top of the vagina and everything else was cauterised with a laser so I didn't need the hundreds of stitches some other procedures need. Perhaps you had something similar done? Because of this I haven't felt any pain since leaving the hospital on 9th Aug and haven't needed painkillers. Do feel sharp pains just before a BM but that goes away afterwards. The swelly belly isn't too bad and I've been wearing support panties ('shape' pants!) that give terrific support and seem to have kept the swelling down. They are also really supportive for when I lie on my side in bed.

The Dr also told me that after about 3-4 weeks the internal stitches would come out and I'd notice some strange discharge that will look like small 'strings' and not to worry as that would just be the stitches. She also warned me that there might be a strange smell as the healing continued! Haven't noticed anything yet but am prepared for it!

I hope this helps! Take care of yourself and rest up!

Jane