2 weeks post LAVH-- how much pain is OK?

I had my procedure done in another Canadian province in order to jump 8-month surgical wait lines. After 3 days in hospital and two days recovering in a hotel, we flew home. Since then I have felt really good, much better than I did before surgery, have driven short distances etc. but I still have the deep pain, constant painkish draining and exhaustion. I don't take T3's as they start the miserable bowel cycle again, it seems fairly controllable with regular tylenol. With LAVH as opposed to TAH, I had expected I'd be much more pain free at this stage. Any thoughts from those post-LAVH people out there? My surgery took 4 hours due to "massive" fibroids."

Thanks.

Hi vickio,

Although I had a TAH, I've been here over a year and have read countless posts from sisters who had a LAVH and were disappointed that they didn't have easier recoveries. I guess it's a common misconception that if there is not an external incision, that there isn't much from which to heal.

Well, one of our disappointed LAVH sisters talked to her Dr. about this, and he explained to her that with any total hysterectomy, there are countless internal stitches inside the abdomen that you cannot see. These stitches have reattached your uterine ligaments to other places inside you to lend support, among other things.

As these internal stitches start dissolving, weakened tissues are left to take over, and you may start "feeling" your surgery more. This usually starts happening around 3-5 weeks post-op.

This is exactly why the early recovery period for this major surgery is at least 6 weeks long...to get you past this fragile time. You also had "massive" fibroids, so keep in mind that a lot was taken out of you. This will mean that your remaining organs will take a while to shift around and find their new "homes", and things can be very tender while this happens.

I'm sorry you had unrealistic expectations of being more pain-free this soon, but take comfort in the fact that many of us, perhaps most of us, thought we'd be feeling better sooner than we do or did. Two weeks is SO early yet.

Hang in there with this lengthy recovery. It will get better. Make sure you're getting enough rest with your feet UP and don't rush resuming all normal activities yet. You only have ONE chance to heal properly, and this is it!

My very best to you...

Linda

I also had a LAVH 9 days ago. I am also feeling alot more pain then i did when i left castle. I felt so good in fact that i was discharged 3 days earlier then anticipated. Then the pain started and was left feeling let down. Seen The doc on the monday as that should have been my discharge day. As he told me was when you are on the pain meds and left over anestetic in your system you don't feel everything.
So as he told me keep taking ibuprofen every 4 hours until i feel no pain for atleast 3 days straight , then i can stop.Also the other pain med he gave me to keep taking. Which i didn't because it makes me feel drowsy and i have kids to watch. He didn't care and told me so this afternoon. So back on the drowsy trail.
As he put it the crampy feeling and pain will go with time. Just take it one day at a time. So i will try.....

Suzi,

Try to get some help with your kids so you can rest. It will help you be back for them sooner, and you want to heal properly for their sake. Much rest and some pain meds are what goes with this surgery's recovery, and you need to heal the proper way...it's a very serious thing.

My very best to you...

Linda

Hi, Vickio-
I had my surgery 12 weeks ago, and feel really good right now--have been feeling like this since I hit the 8 week mark.
I was told before the surgery that the recoup time would be nearly cut in half if it was done laparoscopically. Well, in my case it was not at all. I even tried to go back to work after 4 weeks, and just couldn't do it. Went back after 6 weeks for half days. You are still really in early recovery, and the best thing to do is listen to Linda! Don't be disappointed-- I was, because I kept thinking I should have been feeling better than I was. It is NORMAL to still be feeling pain. Especially after FOUR hours of surgery! Mine took two hours, and I was WIPED OUT.
Take good care of yourself, rest all you can. Don't try to do too much because you think you should be healed sooner-- it takes the same amount of time for your insides to heal. The only difference is you just have little incisions instead of one giant one.
Good luck to you, keep resting for a smooth recovery!
Love from Les