A Few Recovery Questions?

I am just shy of 3 weeks post-op from LAVH. I had a few post-op complications including Hematoma on suture line, Cellulitis on the "cuff" and a bladder infection from my catheter. I am taking 2 weeks of Keflex to treat.

I have a few questions, and wonder if you could help.

At almost 3 weeks there are moments that I feel pretty strong and ok, but then I experience a big "crash" of exhaustion and fall into a deep sleep. Is that normal at this stage?

After I do "too" much I find that my belly, all the way to my ankles start to swell. I am a small frame, but when that happens I feel like I am walking with weights on and I ached. Is it normal to experience this kind of swelling at this time post-op?

What may lie ahead in terms of healing from 3-6 weeks? What should I be aware/careful of?

Because of complications I saw my surgeon at 2 weeks and underwent an internal exam. Will I likely still face another examination at 6 weeks when I return to my surgeon's office. I imagine that there is significant change between 2 and 6 weeks in terms of healing.

What usually happens if the sutures (internal) are not gone by my 6 week visit?

Thank you so much.

Blessings

Sweetie, You have been through a lot since your surgery so being extremely tired is very normal especially when you take antibiotics as well. Swelly belly is something you will have to put up with for a time(everyone is different) especially after you overdo. It is normal and will eventually go away. You still have a lot of healing left to do so please follow all your doctors post-op instructions to the letter. You will start feeling better as time goes by. Remember initial healing is 6 to 8 weeks but some doctors feel that total healing can take up to a year. I am sure at your next post-op visit you will have an internal exam........this is the only way the doctor can tell if you are healed internally or not. I was not healed at my 6 week check-up and had to wait until 10 weeks post-op to resume all of my activites. I had an LAVH so I know of what you are asking. Please have patience hun........you only have one chance to heal so do it right. I hope I answered all of your questions. Please don't hesitate to ask your doctor anything you need to know. That is what he/she is there for. Good luck with your healing process from now on.


Emily s

I'll be starting my fourth week of recovery and those intervals of feeling really good and absolute exhaustion I still experience. The good news is that I'm having longer times of feeling energetic and less of feeling lethargic. Just listen to your body and don't try to do too much when you are feeling energetic. Thats when I tend to overdo and then get swelly belly and major exhaustion. Just listen to your body!
I do have swelly belly at the end of the day. I also noticed that for the first 2 weeks I had alot of fluid build up and made a ton of trips to the bathroom to exercise my bladder! I called the nurse about it and she said that while in the hospital with the iv you get pumped alot of fluid into you. Also, they encourage you to drink lots of fluids. Sooo...the fluid just has to go somewhere until your body can process it out. Call your doctors office and tell them about the excess fluid that you have below the belt. Just to check
It does get better!