Are abdominal muscles cut during surgery?

Question for all of you out there who've gone through surgery or who know how DR plans to handle incision.
My DR said that he does not cut the muscle tissue, just the skin. The muscle is pushed aside and uterus taken out in two cuts. I really must admit that a real concern of mine was having muscles cut. I did not want to have to go back to ground zero with my physical conditioning.
So how was it or will it be handled for you? He also said that he will place no limits on what I can or should do afterward - whatever is comfortable for me I should do after surgery. Is this unusual? If muscles remain intact should I expect to be feeling ner to normal soon after surgery? I do expect some pain and tiredness no matter what, I'm not a youngster anymore.

Hi Ellie

I was also told that the abdominal muscles were pushed aside and not cut. If I remember correctly that may not be the case for a vertical incision, however.

As for having no restrictions after surgery, that is very unusual. I had a TAh and wasn't allowed to lift anything over five or ten pounds for six weeks, wasn't given clearance to drive until after two weeks, could not do any activity more physical than walking for six weeks.

I was lucky in that I had no pain after surgery. None. Even so, I tired easily and rested constantly.

Please ask your doctor again about having no restrictions. You will have a lot of internal stitches that need to heal and you only have one chance to heal properly.

The muscles are separated, not cut, with a vertical incision. At least that is what I was told and is what happened to me. I would also suggest planning ahead about the restrictions. If you have no pain (can't imagine!!) you might feel like doing things that will get you in trouble. I followed all my doctor's instructions and still ended up with a hernia. Mind you, I did not feel like going out on the town anytime real soon.

Joselle

With most bikini-cut TAHs, the muscles are separated, but not cut. You would think this would allow you to feel almost normal soon after surgery, but I'm afraid that it doesn't work that way.

I had a TAH in May. I DID have pain, though not severe, except in the recovery room. (They won't give you pain meds until you are fully awake.) My pain levels never got above a 3 or 4 on a scale of 1 to 10. However, the fatigue and weakness are the one thing I did have to battle. At three weeks post-op, I, like other gullible princesses before me, suscumbed to the charms of the local Wal-Mart. I went in for 15 minutes, just to buy a new printer, and by the time I got to the check-out line, I was about to pass out with my knees knocking and in a cold sweat!

You are having major surgery, and that does require a 6 to 8 week initial recovery time, with complete healing taking place over the next 6 to 12 months.

Your doctor, bless his heart, is a man after all, and has never had THIS surgery. So how is he to know what you will and will not be up to doing. The rule of thumb is to do only 1/2 of what you feel like you can do. And keep in mind, the first couple of weeks, you may feel like doing everything and not notice the signs your body is trying to give you that you are overdoing it. This is due to the lingering effects of the anesthesia and pain medications which can mask those warning signs. Be very careful not to overdo it during that time, as you can do damage to your healing body and set your recovery time back.

Remember, as Allison said, you only get one chance to heal properly and this is it. Life will still be there when you are healed and ready to resume it. Be good to yourself.

Best wishes and s,

Lisa

Hi Ellie B.,

I too was concerned about my abs - worked too hard to get them! My Dr. said that he would not be cutting muscles in my vertical incision. I am 10 days post op and feel like exercising, but my dr. said no trips to the gym until the 6 week release. He encouraged me to walk everyday which I am doing both morning and evening. I was very tempted this morning, haven't missed working out before a Thanksgiving dinner in years. But since I can't drive yet, I was at the mercy of dh who wouldn't let me go to the gym with him.
Dr. assured me that the abs will go back in shape once I am healed. I hope so, because the swelly belly is causing me alot of concern. My dh says patience is NOT my strength!
Keep working hard until the big day so that abs will be in tip top shape going in! I sure helps pulling yourself up out of bed!
Jul

Hi,

I was also told by my doctor that with a bikini cut for a TAH she would not have to cut the muscles, however they are pushed out of the way and the incision is spread open so she can do the surgery. She said the muscles would be sore and the incision would be sore. After the surgery my abdominal muscles felt like I had done about 600,000 sit ups. To say the least my entire abdominal area was hurting. The pain meds were great and brought the pain down to a mild discomfort. Also with this surgery there are many internal stitches that dissolve as you heal and these can be compromised if you lift anything too heavy.

I would be concerned about a doctor who is giving you an abdominal surgery and not giving you a list of any restrictions. My doctor said I shouldn't lift anything over 10 pounds for at least 6 weeks. She said no pushing or pulling, or vacuuming. There was also a restriction on driving a car for at least 2 weeks and no sex for 6 weeks. There are so many internal areas that need to heal as well as the external incision. These instructions were given to me by my doctor and then again by the hospital.

I would read as much as you can about this type of surgery and go with the restrictions. Like the others have said you only have one chance to take good care of yourself and heal properly. I think the reason I haven't had any big complications is because I have tried to follow my doctor's orders and have made sure not to overdo it and get as much rest as possible.

I wish you the best of luck and a quick recovery.

Susiesis

Every DR is different, and each person has different tolerences to pain, but ... my discharge instructions for activities:
*Ambulation - no restrictions (meant I could go up and down stairs as much as I wanted)
*Lifting - limited to arm lift only, no use of abdominal muscles.
*Driving - 2 weeks.
*Work - 6 weeks
*Sexual - 6 weeks
*Bath - no, Shower - yes

I wouldn't call what I felt after the surgery as "pain", more like discomfort, cramps from my periods were much much worse.

The following is from a site called The Pelvic Floor. It is by a DR and shows pictures from actual surgeries, it is very graphic; I don’t want to offend anyone so I don’t include the link.
"It has to be made clear that the smallest or most inconspicuous incision, is NOT always the best. Unfortunately I can't explain here why that is, but trust me, its true. Or better yet, don't trust me at all; ask your own doctor...
It is important to note that NO abdominal muscles are usually cut. The rectus muscles are separated from one another, and spread apart, using the retractor. The bowel is then carefully packed upward and out of the surgical field, using swabs"

Best wishes!