So confused, is this normal? Am I doing too much?

My surgery was May 20th, my uterus and cervix were removed but was able to save my ovaries. I am still very bloated and swollen. My incision looks good, but I'm still experiencing quite a bit of pain. I'm trying not to do too much, but pre-op I was a very active person, so this is tough for me. I've read so much about doing to much and causing long term damage and now I'm concerned that maybe I've done this? Is extreme swelling and pain normal at this point? How do I know if I've done too much? I've never had surgery before and although my dr was very thorough, I would rather get input from those of you that have been there... any advice will be helpful!

Thanks in advance!

Hi Jazy, I know exactly how you feel. I had my surgery on May 9 and I'm not used to just sitting around. Here I am now, at 5 weeks, and I've been hurting, swelling and I feel like I'm further behind than most women who have reached this point. I've already had an ultrasound to make sure there is no hematoma and that my bladder is in the correct spot still. I've definitely overdone it, the doc said that I've pushed it too much but hopefully all I've done is set myself back a couple of weeks and done no major damage. After an ultrasound and two silver nitrate treatments, I'm lucky to have done nothing too severe.

I can tell you from experience, take it easy and try to relax. Like I said, I'm at 5 weeks and I'm still hurting pretty bad when I get up and try to move around and I get dizzy pretty easily.

Best of luck to you. I hope everything works out well!

Jazy,

Yes you do seem to be doing too much. "Extreme swelling and pain" is a worrysome symptom. Please rest and put an ice pack on your belly and is this persists call your doctor. You can do long term damage, adhesions, which do not necessarily show up quickly, but develop as the body heals internal damage. Full healing internally takes 6 months to a year. At this point in your healing your insides are just hanging together and easily damaged.

About the only thing you should be doing at this time is walking, and not pushing yourself there either take it slow. No laundry, pushing or pulling (no Vacuum, shopping cart), no lifting over 8 to 10 lbs. Rest if you are tired.

Please take care of yourself and give yourself a chance to heal. If you do this you will heal faster and better so you can go back to overachieving quicker

Heal well - Joanne

Thanks for the input ladies. Now I'm worried that I've done too much. Would I know if I somehow caused some damage? Would there be signs that I should be looking for?

The best advice I can give you is to call your doctor if you are afraid that you have done too much. Worst case scenario, your doctor tells you to come in and let him/her make sure you are ok. Best case scenario, they tell you to sit your hiney down and rest. Believe me, I think my doctor has heard from me at least once a week.

Make sure you watch for fevers, excessive bleeding or extreme pain. Letting your doctor know what you are feeling though will make you feel better whatever course you take.

Best of luck to you!