Post Op Guidance

It's been 3 weeks since my surgery - Aug 3rd, total abdominal hysterectomy, removed lots of scar tissue but left both ovaries.
I've had 3 C-Sec's and thought the TAH would be a piece of cake........boy was I wrong....the pain is so different.
Shouldn't I be feeling back to normal by now? Post Op appt with my Dr next week but still very tired, sore, bruised, gassy, have to pee every 30 minutes and wondering if I should have waited.
Any words of wisdom? I know they say give yourself six weeks to recover but I'm a busy mother of three and feeling a bit guilty for not bouncing back yet.

i know what you mean about being a busy mom and thinking you'd be bouncing back quicker. give yourself all the time it takes -- there is no written timeline that applies the same to everyone. personally, i didn't really start feeling like myself until about week 5-6 or so, and it wasn't until week 9 that i noticed i wasn't constantly thinking about "i just had major surgery." now, 12 weeks out or so, i do all sorts of stuff i used to and rarely catch myself thinking about my surgery. maybe being protective of my body has just become a more natural habit, or maybe i'm just plain feeling good. whichever, it's a bit of freedom given that the early weeks of recovery were so intense.

take it easy on yourself; do talk to doc about all your concerns, but as long as you're generally improving -- little by little even -- and as long as doc doesn't see problems or red flags, just give yourself more time. you'll get there!

btw, i have four kids to keep up with, ages 7-14; they were a big help in those early weeks, but more than once i heard them saying they couldn't wait until i was all better so i could do everything again! haha!! but i learned a big lesson -- they were all GREAT helpers, and capable helpers!! now i'm much better at incorporating their energy into my busy day in constructive ways! get creative with your kids; even if they are little, they can do helpful things with your guidance and supervision. and if you truly give yourself whatever time it takes to feel better, then it will hopefully pay off in the long run with strength that lasts and no setbacks.

hang in there!!

7dyson7:

Sorry you are feeling guilty about not bounding back. As noted this is major surgery and we all heal differently.

General guidelines are 2/4 to 6/8 weeks of initial recovery with full recovery coming 6 to 12 months after the surgery.

So sorry to tell you that you are still in initial recovery. Many women think that the surgery will be similar to a C-Section and find out differently. With this surgery you had major organs removed which is not the case with your prior surgeries.

Give yourself time, it will happen and you only get 1 chance to heal.



G.

I am totally with you. I had 2 c-sections and thought the abdominal hysterectomy would be the same. NOT! I had mine on Aug 4 so we're about the same. I'm doing ok, but what's up with the gas and having to pee every 30 minutes?? And sometimes, I feel like I've gotta go, run to the bathroom and just tinkle. It feels like I've gotta go more...but nothing happens. very frustrating.
My belly is still pretty sore. I don't remember it being like that with the c-sections. But I keep telling myself maybe I don't remember because I was preoccupied with a baby back then?? LOL!
hang in there...we'll get better.

I am also peeing a lot but I think it's due to the amount of fluids I'm drinking everyday. I drink plenty of fluids to keep the bowels moving.

Thanks to all, I feel better. I went back to the Dr because I was feeling pain/burning when peeing........they thought I had a UTI (never had one in my life) turns out.....it's bladder spasms because everything inside is getting repositioned?? I'm just hoping this gets better before I go back to work, long meetings and I hate to have to explain why I have to excuse myself every 30 mins to a room full of men!