Refresh me about this pulling sensation...

I am just over 5 weeks post op. I have read posts about feeling a pulling sensation but did not pay that much attention to it - as it did not apply to me at the time. I tried doing a search on that subject, but it was taking so long, that I eventually gave up. I have this "pulling" mostly on my left side. Quite bothersome at times. I have also read things about "swelly belly" and I thought I was absolved from that as well, but I was wrong. This is the first time I have experienced any swelling and the pulling. Is this all normal or is it from doing too much? Also, my joints are achy in the evening and I swear I have not been warm since they laid those warm blankets on me prior to surgery. I have been cold ever since. So, hopefully someone can explain why I am experiencing this at this late stage. Thank you!

HI Toni,

First of all, you are really not in any "late" stage, but still in early recovery. That lasts from 6-8 weeks....total healing takes from 6 months to a year! I'm at 6 months post-TAH, and still get twinges and some swelling if I'm very active.

You are probably having more pulling and swelling because you are more active now, and stitches have been dissolving, leaving weakened tissues to take over. These things will especially happen with sudden increases in activity. The trick is to resume activity very slowwwwwly!

If you are now doing a lot more prolonged sitting and standing than you used to, that will put a lot of pressure on the tender healing areas, which will cause swelling and achiness. Try to get as much extra rest as you can "horizontally" to help counter this.

Many sisters (including myself) find that hyst recovery takes a lot longer than they thought it would...hang in there as you're in good company!

I'm not sure about the achy joints and chills...I've been having that at 6 months, too! You might want to touch base with your Dr. about that...I'm assuming you don't have a temperature.

My very best to you...

Linda

I too experienced the pulling sensation after several weeks into recovery. It did finally subside only to return after a serious sneeze, which by the way blow me three county's away it was that hard. Which happened last week I am at the 4 month mark also. It now makes laughing hard to do unless you do the flamingo stand. Having one leg bent while standing and laughing is a sit to see.


I think it must be a ligament or tendon that was disturbed during surgery. I found a hot water bottle makes it feel better..

take care

shell

If you search under my name, I think I did a post about this pulling sensation. It was around week 4-5 for me. But I am now 7 weeks post op. I would say it was almost to week 6 before I didn't have some discomfort ALL the time-pulling or otherwise. It was after the first month when I started doing more, that I felt that pulling. I didn't mean I did something wrong nor there was anything wrong. Now I recall that I had hoped to go to work after the 5th week, for 2 days for 4 hours each. And I had to call my doctor about something else and I described what I felt. He didn't seem concerned and it eventually went away. But I didn't go in as it was an indication to me, that I wasn't ready.

Just keep resting, keep your feet up and it will go away in time. Good luck.