3 weeks post op frustrated and venting

Hi Sisters,

I had my TAH on December 18th I could only take 2 weeks off because I am self employed. I went back to work this Monday and it was so hard. I run a daycare out of my home and have 6 kids ranging in age from 6 months to 3. I had some help with the lifting but other than that I was on my own. I went in for my 2 week check up and I was told I am healing very well. The problem is I am so swollen is this normal? The doc acted like it was no big deal but I have a huge rubber innertube of swollen blubber that hangs over my incision that was not there before and I feel so bloated. I guess I just need to hear from someone that has been here that this will eventually go away. I dont fit in my clothes I have gained about 7 pounds and I am an emotional wreck LOL. I spent the whole year before my surgery on a strict diet and managed to lose 50 of the 60 pounds I wanted to lose and I am so afraid that it is going to come back on and this swell will never go away I am using ice and heat any other suggestions?AHHHHH!!! Thanks for letting me vent!

I really think it takes longer than 2 weeks to heal and you are doing to much. The more you push yourself the longer it will take to get all your strength back. Not to mention scar tissue and damage that can uccur.
My swelling eventually went away but not in 2 weeks.

Yes, as vinrl says, please be very careful. The innertube is normal and can take many weeks, or perhaps months, to reduce. I wouldn't worry terrribly about the 7 pounds. Many sisters are struggling with much greater gains, and, you know what it takes to lose it because you did it before!

I had a difficult time at week 3. I am at week 4 now and much better. I had a lot of pressure kind of pain. I called my doctor and the nurse suggested that I wear a girdle. It really helped. Also, don't over do it. I went back to work for a half day and was wiped out after that. Take it easy. Also, get one of those reachers that elderly people use to pick up things off the floor. You won't have to bend so much.

Pinky,

I am like you...I had a TAH on 12/16/08. I give you a lot of credit for going back to work so soon and totally understand because you are self-employed. However, be careful. You don't want to over do it, like my girlfriend did and had a major set back. It took her longer to recover from the set back then the actually hysterectomy.

In two weeks, I couldn't have gone back to work if I wanted to. I had soooo much pain because of the gas and was doubled over for many days. The good thing is that I have great benefits and will be off for eight weeks. I am going to take advantage of it and take it easy. There are days when I think that I am okay and then there are days when I have no energy. Sometimes I get out of breath doing easy tasks.

When I went back for my two week check-up the doctor was pleased with the progress. The scar looked really good. I had stitches that dissolved on their own, however, on the end of the scar I can feel and see two lumps. The doctor said that was from the inside stitches and it will go down when it heals. I do have a small roll on top of my incision. I actually had one from the last surgery in 2002 but when he stitched this one, he pulled the skin to make it flat (a fake tummy tuck). He said that this one will go down totally in time. It helps to use a heating pad. I sleep with one at night and use one like now when I'm sitting around using the computer/watching tv.

I don't know how much swelling you have but, I would think that it will go down.

My problem is that I keep having stomach spasms followed by gas. Boy does this hurt. Does anyone have any suggestions for this?

Thank you for your comments, it helps to no that I am not alone!
I wish I could take more time off but I cant or I could lose my business. It sucks but its life.

I am right there with you I am 3 1/2 weeks post op TAH took ovaries and everythiing--the patch they gave me is working great but I have never been this tired in my life. It seems like I have some good days, lots of tired days and just no energy. I want to go back to work but I know there is no way possible at this point.
The other problem I am having is that yesterday I was soooo tired and felt bad--nothing specific just felt bad. Today I decided to get up shower clean some stuff up in the house after my son left to go to his dads and I thought it would be good to be productive---WRONG.
The tiredness came back and I know this sounds strange and wonder if anyone else at 3 1/2 weeks feels this --my incision hurts--it doesn't matter if I have on jeans or sweat pants--it hurts.
I guess on top of that I am tired of not feeling well--but know the limitations that I have. Mentally this is taking a huge toll on me --because I just don't get it--yes I know I had major surgery --but still this sucks--"sorry"
I just want to be back to my old self of going and doing and feeling fine. The other thing that is really strange that I have found out is that it is a vicious circle--
Since I am tired and not doing much I don't have an appetite--so I am trying to make a point of eating something "good" so that I can heal--that being said I am losing weight which I know isn' t good at this point in recovery --yet still have a "belly"
I seem to be ranting but I just hate this not feeling good bit of this
Anyhow thanks again for this board it is awesome and very useful to "talk" with others