4 months post op recovery question on swelling and pain

Hi Girls. I am hoping that someone out there has an opinion or a been there done that story, as sometimes this journey can be upsetting. I will try to give you all the 'quick review' and then ask the question.

On May 7, I had a tah with a vertical incision for endometrial adenocarcinoma. (I am also 49, by the way) When I went the next week for the post surgical follow up, it was determined that there was an absess in the incision, so the doc opened up the incision where the absess was (small opening) and I had a visiting nurse come every other day to chg the packing in the actual hole, and some antibiotic and of course bed rest. The absess turned into an infection which tunnelled downwards and I ended up going back under the knife on July 7th for a wound debriedment, which he left open to heal on its own (I looked like a rump roast with feet ) Ended up with a 'wound vac' to assist in healing, and finally back to work on Sept 8th, with directions to basically resume regular activity, using good judgement and 'don't over do it'.

I have swelling big time still, which I realize is expected, and part of the deal. But its swelling to the point that my stomach actually droops, which is causing me severe lower back pain and lower parts (like where that uterus 'used to be'), and when I roll over when I sleep, if I end up even touching the ab area, it wakes me up, plus the muscles on my sides hurt terribly and I think its from flinging around this swollen mass of stuff in my stomach. Its as hard as a bowling ball, and my work clothes don't quite fit the way they did before hysterectomy, at all..... I know I have to sit it out and be patient, but the swelling with all of the pain is really upsetting. I went for a follow up today, the doc checked for a possible hernia, which he said I did not have as there were no other symptoms . He gave me a prescript. for 800 mg ibuprofen and told me to wear an abdominal binder, (which I have done already, it hurts my lower back as it bunches up I think I might wrap it too tight), but I have taken to wearing two pairs of Spanx at a time, simply because it feels comfortable for the most part, like an ace bandage on a sprained ankle. He then said that what I had was pretty much scar tissue, and then said 'you were never going to win a beauty contest anyhow'... which sort of honkerblonked me off (the beauty contest comment) and that the swelling will last up to a year post surgery.

I guess I am just overwhelmed. Just so y'all get the total picture... I am 5'10" and a size 18. I have been a Weight Watcher since a year before this whole thing started, and I know that these problems are 100% NOT due to weight gain at all and I have the weekly weight watchers check in card to document that. I am a big girl, but the stomach thing .... I guess I just don't know how to deal with it.

Has anyone 'been there'? Am I just going to be a two spanx a day kind of girl forever after? It just seems like everyone else in the world that I know who has had a hysterectomy has healed just fine, me??? always some sort of crap hitting the fan.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post, and I hope that someone has some positive words for me.

Hi redhead49,
I don't blame you for being so overwhelmed! You have been through alot! The beauty contest remark was way off! Beauty comes in lots of sizes and shapes and though your DR was probably trying to make a funny....he wasn't.

Just to share... I too also get a swollen belly and achy 3 months post-op. You are still healing and your body needs time to heal properly. You sound as if you have been very patient with your healing process so far. You are almost there. Try to be patient a little longer. Wishing you extra stregth, patiance and more pain free days!! Take care

The comment was uncalled for, but like most people they speak before they think.

I am almost 4 months post-op. I still deal with the swelly belly to, depending on how much I do. I also have pains that hit off and on in my left side. I called the Dr. and he just said to take 2 of my tramadol instead of 1. He didn't even see me. But it is helping and I have been taking it one day at a time. Outside of that I have been doing pretty good and I am starting to get my old spank back. As far as the pain and the swelling, I am just dealing with it as it happens and reliaze that it will take anywhere from now to a year for things to subside. I am just happy that I do not have to deal with all the other symptoms I used to have.

Redhead,
Most docs will never win a beauty contest either. I don't know what your work schedule is like or even what type of work you do so here it goes.....have you noticed that the swelling is different at any time at all. For instance, maybe you have a day off and just decide to rest and relax? I know, you want to know what planet I live on. Okay, I seem to have that swelly belly thing more toward the end of the day. It happens earlier in the day when I really do too much. My dd had a gallbladder removed almost 2 years ago. She was scoped, not cut the old fashioned way. She said it took her a year for her to get back to normal. What we had done was no walk in the park and we need to be patient. I hope you feel better soon. Now I'll go back to my planet.
Margie
TAH/BSO

Thanks for all of your comments and good thoughts, girlies... Margie, lol, I think your planet sounds like a pretty happy place.

I guess I just have to keep reminding myself that this is normal, keep taking those deep breaths and keep wearin' those Spanx.

Does anyone know.... Is there anything at all we can do to expedite this process?? (regain the zip and lose the droop, that is...) does homeopathy have any good natural ideas, or is it just like the story of the tortise and the hare, slow and steady wins the race? Some days when I get home from work, I am in bed comatose by 7:30 pm, my 21 year old son does not know what to make of me with this.


heavy sigh.............. Pre surgeries, I was pretty excited that I bought a pair of jeans that were two sizes smaller and I thought I looked darn good in them.... now, oh my goodness, its like putting a sack of potatoes into a zip lock bag, I barely get the zipper up.

I'm not giving in.... must keep fighting, and keep positive.

thanks everybody.