What is reasonable post-op pain week 1?

Hello, all. I had my TVH/TVT with minor anterior/posterior repair done 5/16. The worst pain I felt was in the recovery room right after surgery (it was 9-10 on a pain scale). I arrived home Fri afternoon and have managing pain with ibuprofen and some Vicodin and use Gas-X to manage the gas pain. I know everyone is different, but what is semi-reasonable to expect painwise at this stage (almost end of week 1 postop)? I feel occasional shooting sharp pains in my rectum/pelvic floor (which I do deep breathing through until they pass) and occasional sharp pains which seem like heightened nagging menstrual cramps right at the top of the bikini area (where I'm guessing is the vaginal cuff since I have no cervix). I take the Vicodin once the pain spikes over a level of tolerable with the Motrin but am reluctant to keep taking the narcotic because it perpetuates a vicious cycle with slow bowels.

I have done some small walks outside to prevent gas buildup and to prevent from going stir crazy but I still seem to tire easily.
Any advice you have is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I am only a day ahead of you. I think we will have good days and bad, depending on how much we push our bodies. It is just really important to listen to our bodies, no matter how restless we are, and rest. Fatigue is my biggest marker right now. If I do too much not only am I exhausted, but I get nausiated, too. No matter how much I walk, the painful gas is a big issue. I can't believe I didn't think of gas-x.

im sorry you have had those bad bouts of pain... i am pretty sure they are normal and will get better every day... i too had really weird sharp pain and they seem to be going away... the one thing i learned is that resting is the best thing... even if you dont sleep, just sitting and watching tv... so when everyone here says to rest, they sure mean it... in answer to your question i started feeling better my 2nd week.. hang in there your day will come..

good luck

That first week is difficult. I was still on a 9-10 scale, at times, during week one. I also had the sharp pains. By day 12, though, I woke up and thought ‘where’s the pain?’ I waited all day, moving cautiously around, for the pain to return! I was good, though, and that was an amazing feeling.

Gas-X is a wonderful thing. Also, if you drink carbonated beverages, open and let them sit three minutes before drinking. My surgeon gave me that tip and it does help.

Move a little everyday if you can, but don’t push yourself. Rest if the very best thing you can give your body.

Hope your recovery gets smoother every day! Good luck to you.

I had a lot of pain the first month. I've never been shot but that has to be what it felt like. Bad pain where the ovaries used to be. I didn't want to take too much of the Vicodin but I found it easier to take it as prescribed (every 4 hrs) and not to wait on the pain to get too bad. I was on it for 3 weeks and didn't have any trouble coming off. By week 4 I switched to Motrin. On the plus side, I'm finally losing weight. I guess my hormones had a hand in keeping me fat. The swelly belly lasted about 2 months and the numb tummy has only starting to get back to normal in the last month or so. Take care of yourself and don't do much. This is your time to rest and heal.