incision type

Very unhappy post-of. Had surgery 9-27-04. My incision is 14 inches - it is vertical - I thought this went out with the dark ages. Had a large fibroid uterus 12 weeks gestatation and a large cyst on ovary. Has anyone out there had a vertical incsion?

Hi!
I had a vertcial incision to due the the very large size of my fibroids and uterus. My incision was about 7-8 inches long. I was told that this would happen ahead of time, so I knew what I was going to see afterwards. Did your doc not tell you that a vertical would be a possibility? I'm sorry if that is the case. I would think that you should have been informed.

Take care,
Angela

Yes, I too had a vertical...about 9" long....reason being that my bladder was plastered to the top of my uterus and going in through my old bikini cut (2 c-sects) would have been too dangerous..possibly cutting into my bladder. I was very disappointed at first about this, but then I figured, what the heck, my belly will look like a road map. The only one who sees it is my Dr. and DH, so what do I care ???? You too will get used to it, it's not as bad as it seems at first. Good luck in your recovery....I'm 3 weeks post-op and feel great, other than a few twinges here and there and feeling tired throughout the afternoon. I am also battling a bladder infection, but I think I'm finally winning the war !!

Kelly

Hi marierose,

I'm so sorry to hear about your large incision. I've got a vertical incision too, mine's about 11 inches long, but at least I knew what was coming before surgery.

I've been curious about something...maybe this is the post!

I have had the suspicion that those gals with vertical cuts heal more quickly. This was eluded to me by a surgical nurse AFTER I had a bikini cut. I TOLD the DR. I do NOT care about scars! I just want to feel better and feel better FAST!!!

I did not nor do I take any great pride or comfort in the bikini incision! I'm really all about the HEALING!

So, if it's any encouragement to you...I'm thinking you'll heal faster! But that's an observation, an opinion a "feeling"!
Can any sisters weigh in and give us the truth of the matter?

Look forward not back!

4 months here - I have verticle incision. The scar was really red and thick too. But lately it has been softening and getting flatter so thats a good thing. I had a bit of opening in my incision at 4 weeks post op but that healed too, its just a little bit wider where i had the openings. Its been a bit itchy lately, but I guess its healing. They did the vertical incision because I had a large cyst on my ovary and i had a total BAH/TSO and the doc wanted to be able to get to any problem he may have found. Thankfully, there was no cancer so Im worry free!

I have always been under the impression that a bikini cut was much better than a vertical cut. But, now that I've had both, I really don't see any difference in pain or healing. I never had that feeling "like everything's gonna fall out" that everyone was warning me about. I only used my tummy pillow for about 12 days, then found that if I needed some support, a hand or two would do the trick. Don't get me wrong, I am still tender and sore, but not nearly as bad as I thought I would be. So, I guess for me anyways, having had both scars, it really doesn't make any difference. I was quite nervous before the surgery about the vert incision, but there really was nothing to be worried about.

Kelly