what type of incision???

OK...I have finally gotten up the nerve to ask a very personal and sensitive question that has been weighing on my mind the last couple of weeks...(I was persuaded to ask by some of the other "embarassing" posts..LOL) Here goes...I have a rather "slack" belly as it is, ( 4 babies in 5 years) and as a result of those pregnancies I have muscle separation about mid-belly and have a hernia there for the last 5 years (noticable when I lay down and raise my head and shoulders). I also have a "fold" that is right over the bikini incision area. I have had a yeast infection there and heat rash before and it concerns me that if they do a bikini cut that it will take longer to heal or possibly get infected, since that area doesn't get much "airing out". I personally think that I would feel more comfortable with the vertical incision but have read here that it takes longer to heal?? I hope that this post isnt too gross, but as my date nears..(Nov 15) I need to get some advice about this...can anyone help me?? Love and gentle hugs to you all!

I don't know about the fact that the incision would take longer to heal if it was a vertical cut. This is something I would talk over with my Dr. Tell him/her your concerns. He/she will either agree to it, or give you reasons why a bikini cut is needed or preferred.

I haven't heard that it takes longer for a vertical incision to heal. My vertical incision healed very nicely. Mention your concerns to your doctor. I'm sure s/he will do what is best for you. Best wishes,

I too am overweight and had a bikini incision. The incision did get infected BUT the doctor told me thin people get infections also. It wasn't anything I did or didn't do--it just happens to some people and it's hard to say who will get one. I prefer the type I got because the pain with a vertical could be worse. I had a vertical incision when I had my gall bladder removed 20 years ago and the incision still looks like hell. I don't see the bikini line every day. LOL. I was at my doctor's office last Thursday and he told me the incision looked great. SO you need to make up your own mind. I am glad I had the type I did. Hang in there. You will do fine. Like everyone says, the wait is the worst part. It is so nice not to have to buy those "personal products" anymore!

I also think you should discuss this with your doctor.

I had my TAH/BSO 17 days ago. I had a "bikini" incision, and it was much lower than I expected...perhaps below your area of trouble??? My incision was a full inch below the top of my pubic hair-line. I expected it to be much higher on my belly.

Your question is NOT too personal!! That's one of the things about this board that I've found so helpful!!! We can get answers to the REAL questions that we have -- but that we might not be comfortable asking our doctors about.

Good luck to you!
Hugs,
Cheryl

Hi Missipooh -- Your question is not gross at all and I am glad you asked it. I just wanted to add this thought to the other answers you received --

In some of the surgeries I have transcribed, if the woman has a pannus (a large flap of loose skin that hangs down apron-like) a "tummy tuck" or abdominoplasty was performed and the insurance paid for it because it was not considered cosmetic surgery at that time, but was necessary to prevent infection. If it is just a little "pouching" I don't think it qualifies. The other thing is that your MD would have to be experienced and comfortable in performing it. But, you might ask and solve both problems with this one surgery.

Good Luck! Dawn

What in the world would I do without my Hystersisters ? My pre-op isn't until the 14th (the day before surgery...and I think something like this should be discussed sooner than that..so I think I will give my Doc a call and ask him about that...(especially the tummy tuck part )
I feel sooo relieved that my question wasn't gross to y'all! Thanks soooo much to everyone who replied to my post. I will probably have more questions as my date draws nearer...and I know that I can trust in the wonderfully kind and understanding sisters I have found here. You guys are truly the only ones I have been able to discuss my fears and anxieties about hysterectomy with. Seems as if everyone else thinks its not that big of a deal.
Well it is the middle of the afternoon (2:45) and I have only gotten about 5 hours of sleep in the last two nights...so I promised DH that I would try to take a nap...which, to be honest, is sounding better and better.. Gentle hugs to you all