7 days post salpingo-oophorectomy: Painful stomach dimple from stitches

Hello ladies, I had surgery 7 days ago. I had my ovaries and tubes removed along with a large mass over 4 inches. Fifteen years ago I had my uterus and cervix removed. I had it done laparoscopic both times. This time I have a large painful dimple that on the left side from the stitches. I can't touch it and it's very swollen but not red. Will this dimple go away as the swelling goes down?

Hi Lorrainyh
I would probably go and see a Doctor about that.
Regards Amanda

I've moved your question from our Hysterectomy Recovery Forum to our Separate Surgeries forum which is dedicated to gyn surgeries other than hysterectomies.

During my hysterectomy, I had an uber-sensitive area which I couldn't touch - couldn't lean against the counter or carry anything against that spot either. I finally concluded that it was some nerve damage which took months to heal.

The swelling you're experiencing could be normal, but it may also be indicative of a seroma, a build-up of fluid. Often doctors will allow it to drain on its own or absorb back into your body over time, but I agree it's best to get your doctor's take on it.

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If you would, please update your Hysterectomy Date to the surgery you had 15 years ago. Having the correct hysterectomy date will let members know that your current surgery is indeed different. Thanks!

Thank you, I think your right. Over the last 2 days, it's gotten a little better. I find it really odd how the mass was on the right ovary but the worst pain is on the left making me go hmm. But the nerve thing makes sense. I will monitor it for the other cause you mentioned. Thank you for your time.

I have the same issue. Almost 14 days post-surgery and I have a large dimple in my left side that is very painful. Sitting, getting up from bed, etc., is uncomfortable to outright painful, and it feels as though the pain radiates to the back. If I picture it, I think of a thread from front to back that was tied off too tightly. I have raised this with the surgeon's office twice, starting days after surgery when it first started, and was told that it was normal since my surgery was so recent. I don't think so, and will bring it up at my follow-up appt today.
I also had an incision site open up and seroma or some fluid leak out for 2 days. That has resolved.
I would keep following up with doctor.

Hi
Thanks for your response. Please let me know how it goes with your doctor. I sneezed yesterday for the first time and screamed loudly from the pain in the area of the dimple. Today it really hurts.

It seems by the evening I just want to cry. But I can't cry because if I do it will hurt and I will have to blow my nose which will hurt. I have not been taking anything stronger than Tylenol because anything stronger makes me feel worse. I want to sleep but I can't get comfortable even with all my pillows. Today seems to be an emotional day. Commercials make me want to cry even if they are happy. Never expected this after having ovaries out. Looking forward to getting past this.

Keep a travel-sized pillow handy, and if you have a chance, brace your abdomen with it when you feel a sneeze coming on. I had an unexpected sneeze on Day 3 of my hysterectomy which left me sore the rest of the day.

In re-reading your updates, it's possible that they did more manipulation through one of your incisions, and it may have not been the one where the mass was: more instruments positioned left-side so they could remove the mass on the right. That's something you can confirm with your doctor in a follow up.

The swelling should go down if there's no infection. The stitches are going to dissolve at some point too, and hopefully that will release some of the dimple, but be aware that skin wounds contract a bit while they're binding together. You might notice that your incisions feel like there's a knotted string underneath. As the wound matures, that will go away - it could take a number of weeks.