Recovery Progress Reports for Hysterectomy dates May 16-May 22,2011

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Originally Posted by Greta121 I am on day 9 since my surgery and I had my staples taken out on day 7. The Dr. put on those "tape" strips that she said I should keep on for a WEEK! I am not super thin and the area above the incision rolls over the top and is still pretty swollen. I have gained about 6 - 7 lbs since my surgery!! I keep hoping that it will go back down but it hasn't happened yet. Yesterday about 24 hours after the "tape" was put on my belly to help hold my incision closed they fell off. I then went to clean the area well because the Dr. didn't even clean it before putting on the "tape"! When I pulled the cotton ball away I saw blood. So I got the mirror out to take a look and it appeared that part of my incision was OPEN. Maybe and inch or so and it was bleeding a little. I put a paper towel on it to try to stop the bleeding and because it was right around bedtime for me I was nervous but went to bed. I am a diabetic and heal very, very slowly and the Dr. apparently didn't think about that. She rushed through my appt. to take out my staples because she had an unscheduled surgery earlier in the day and had to bump my appt. to later. I feel like she didn't even listen to me at all and rushed through it without even really LOOKING at it! I noticed the night I came home with the tape that there was an area that looked like it was open! I had hoped that it would heal up on its own but so far it is only worse. I called the Dr first thing this morning and the nurse seemed concerned and left a message for the Dr. Then another nurse called back and said that the Dr. said I could go back in to get more "tape" put on ..which would likely only fall off again in a day..or if I think it is ok just leave it. Well if I thought it was ok I wouldn't have called in the first place!!! I suggested that she use the "super glue" that I know that they have used with great results on me before and the nurse said it was up to the Dr. because she is the surgeon. UGH!! I am so beyond frustrated! I am really hoping when I go in this afternoon that they don't rush me in and out yet again. Greta

I'm sorry you are struggling so bad. When you go see your dr again, be assertive and don't let her blow you off. It's your health that's in jeopardy so go for it!

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Originally Posted by Greta121 I suggested that she use the "super glue" that I know that they have used with great results on me before and the nurse said it was up to the Dr. because she is the surgeon. UGH!! I am so beyond frustrated! I am really hoping when I go in this afternoon that they don't rush me in and out yet again. Greta

Greta - So sorry you're having issues. If it were me, I'd definitely go see the doc again and when you're there ask her if there's any reason she couldn't use the glue that worked for you before. Sometimes when you phrase it that way you get better results. She would have to have a specific reason why not to do it, if she doesn't, and having to justify why not might make her more apt to do it. You shouldn't have an open wound - especially being diabetic. If there's a valid reason not to use the glue, i would ask what other options there are instead of the tape that's not working.

BeLove - When I spoke to the Dr. in the hospital she said because they had such trouble with the extra scar tissue and it taking four hours instead of 90 minutes she didn't use the glue in the hospital because if she needed to go back in for whatever reason it would be easier with the staples. But when she took it out I don't feel like she even looked at it before adding the tape. It should have been cleaned before adding them in the first place, if you ask me. But I assumed that she knew what she was doing.

Thanks so much for the support!

Greta

Good news on all benign reports! Until that final pathology, you never feel clear of it. My thoughts go out to those sisters not as lucky.

I was mostly successful in making dinner yesterday - needed some assistance from husband at the very end as my energy level started to drain quickly (they are pretty good at opening cans of food!). Today's task is grocery shopping with husband - but I plan to get a electronic cart to aid in the adventure.

I am still evaluating whether I can go back to work next week. Maybe part time for the first week.

I am really confused on the HRT/ERT. Some sites seem to imply that you need it or your brain turns off, and some sites say wait and see. Very confusing. What are other sisters doing? So far, at at 9 days post TAH and no ovaries I have not had many symptoms, but I was probably already in perimenopause.

Ok ladies! After a trip to the ER yesterday from the pain of the *tightening/contraction* thingies I've been getting, I have found out this. It was bowel pain due to fecal impaction.

Because we have had trauma to our bowels, the feeling has not yet come back, depriving us of that *urge* to go. I had no idea. Usually pain associated with feces brings pain to the left side. That low, tightening feeling we are feeling is basically pain in a slightly still numb bowel. Plus some muscle issues/spasms.

I've been taking stool softeners and been on a high fiber diet since the surgery, to no avail. Turns out my body just didn't know how to go. After drink 1.5 bottles of mag citrate yesterday, I had to rock back and forth on the potty, and with my arms folded, gripping onto each elbow, I pressed against my stomach and basically had to push my feces out.

When it came out, it was soft. There was no reason why I shouldn't have been able to pass it. It was horrible, but my tightening and pain is less today.

The magnesium citrate has kicked in today. I've had diarrhea all morning. But here's the kicker! You don't know it's coming until your butthole slams shut, lol. I heard my stomach grumble and felt my basement door slam shut, then ran to the bathroom! Once the trap door was open, all was fine. Since we don't feel the urge, you just kinda feel the urgency. Like your anus has an overflow kill switch, lol.

If I can think of anything else I found helpful, I'll post up. Good luck ladies! And may the poo be with you! Lol.

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Originally Posted by floridagurl727 Really, popped your incision open twice?? do you have stiches? my gosh... I have been careless..! The tightening... driving me c-r-a-z-y.. wish I knew why/what.. today I am doing pretty good at sitting still, I think?? and I'm totally digging those stool softeners..!!

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Originally Posted by Ladyace Ok ladies! After a trip to the ER yesterday from the pain of the *tightening/contraction* thingies I've been getting, I have found out this. It was bowel pain due to fecal impaction. Because we have had trauma to our bowels, the feeling has not yet come back, depriving us of that *urge* to go. I had no idea. Usually pain associated with feces brings pain to the left side. That low, tightening feeling we are feeling is basically pain in a slightly still numb bowel. Plus some muscle issues/spasms.

Ladyace - Sorry you had this trouble but glad you went to ER for help. I had my surgery at a cancer center and they were very specific with instructions for avoiding constipation. At pre-op appointment they stressed that if you are on narcotic pain meds after surgery you really need to use a stimulant laxative (not just stool softeners) b/c the narcotics put your bowels to sleep - inhibit the normal contractions and urge to go.

Glad you got some relief.

WOW Ladyace, I'm glad you went... Im sure you feel so much better now! That rocking motion does help... I honestly did not realize how much the surgery effected your bowels.. and how the lack of urge to go can be so detremental.. thank for all the info - and I am so glad you are feeling better now.
marestail - I'm surprised you are thinking about going back to work.. only a couple of weeks? I feel like I am being some kind of big baby... I feel like you were reading my mind as I read a little on HRT stuff this AM and felt overwhelmed... I too had a TAH/both ovaries removed. I know the dr mentioned starting something on my first post-op appt which is tomorrow.. but there is so much info out there and it all contradicts each other. I had to stop reading. I have had a couple of "sweating" moments.. and not really weepy, maybe just a little?? I will let you know what the dr says tomorrow, id be interesting to hear others experience on this also...

Yes, please let us know what your doc says. I would be real curious.

Regarding work, I am just contemplating for now - maybe because I am going a bit stir crazy. I will have to make a real evaluation on Monday based on how I feel - I do not want a set back. Work is pretty good and knows that it is a day to day thing.

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Originally Posted by BeLove Ladyace - Sorry you had this trouble but glad you went to ER for help. I had my surgery at a cancer center and they were very specific with instructions for avoiding constipation. At pre-op appointment they stressed that if you are on narcotic pain meds after surgery you really need to use a stimulant laxative (not just stool softeners) b/c the narcotics put your bowels to sleep - inhibit the normal contractions and urge to go. Glad you got some relief.

Thanks! I wish I had found this site BEFORE my surgery.

I can't believe I have one more complaint to throw on the fire, but... does anyone else have chest/back pain and mild indigestion after surgery? The past few days my back has been really bothering me. All throughout my chest too. BAH! This sucks, lol.

I am home from the Dr.'s office. She says that I have opposing edges that just aren't touching right now. And then she proceeded to put on more "tape" ..even after I told her I didn't want that on. I asked about the bleeding because I thought it shouldn't be bleeding and she said, "No, that is good. It means the icky stuff is getting out." It is also oozing some yellowish stuff but that is also considered good. I wish she has maybe thought to mention all of this at my last appt. so I didn't have to go in again today all freaked out! She also took a gauze pad and folded it up and tucked it up in there to absorb any extra moisture from the incision and also any sweat that builds up. Our temps here aren't super hot but they are starting to get warmer and warmer here in CT. A high of around 80*F today after it has been in the 60's for weeks and weeks!

So I guess I will just have to wait and see if it heals up on its own soon. I was also going to ask about my swelly belly to see if she thought it would possibly start to go down soon and also about the results from the testing on my parts that were taken out but I was so rattled by her telling me I was wrong over and over again that I didn't ask. Hopefully I will remember for my next appt. in three weeks.

Sometimes I really hate Dr.'s and the attitude that they give you! I had a right to be concerned and she basically talked down to me like I was a child and over reacting.