Bleeding and Spotting after surgery - what causes it.

Hi ladies! I had my total hysterectomy June 8th, 2010 and it was a daVinci hysterectomy. Everything was taken including ovaries and cervix, too. I still have a swollen belly and pain in my gutt all the way up to my ribcage. I am still spotting and some days it's bright red but not a lot of bleeding. I also began taking Estradiol 1mg. I began taking it after 1 week post op. That's when the bleeding really started, again slight but still. So, I've stopped taking the Estradiol for now to see if it's really just caused by internal stitches dissolving instead. I think I'll start the Estradiol again in another week and see what happens then. It seems that a lot of women have spotting even long after a total hysterectomy but I wonder from where does the bleeding come from? Also, Estradiol can cause some breakthrough bleeding as is listed as a "common" side effect but it doesn't say if that is something that one should put up with or discontinue. Any thoughts would be welcomed regarding my post. Thanks!

I think bleeding/spotting soon after a daVinci is caused by doing too much too soon. As you notice it, just put your feet up; it's your body sending you a sign to take it easier. My 'worst' spotting was during week 3 when I felt great and had lots of energy but then overdid it. Now I am in week 5 and my body cooperates more

I hope your doing better! I was wondering first thought, have you been over doing it? The first six weeks are REST FOR US!! I HOPE YOUR healing is going well!! GOOD LUCK

Thanks Corlaprof for your comment! It's so nice to find this website and join! I haven't been overdoing it actually. I've been taking it really easy and not doing much. I'm 45 so we are close to the same age and it's nice to know other women who have had the exact same procedure and share their experiences and what they are going through. I had exactly what you did, uterine fibroids and both ovaries removed, too.
Thanks for the correspondance! :-)

Thanks for the kind words, team8897. This site helps us during our journey and recovery! Did you contact your doctor, by the way? I would be hesitant to stop and start HRT on my own. During week 3 I had more spotting because I was doing more. Now after five weeks there is nothing noteworthy.... The difference between last week and this week is HUGE! I feel soooo much better and have more energy too. Ofcourse it's hard to not lift anything yet. I catch myself all the time. Let us know what happens with you.

Hiya,

I was spotting a few days after surgery too and while it freaked me out a bit, I figured I would wait a few days because our bodies are really being put through hell (yes, I am a daVinci girl too, but surgery is still surgery, even if robotic). I was also doing a lot of long walks because they made me feel better. I found that the bleeding finally stopped about two weeks later (and I mean spotting, not huge gushes). I was on HRT at the time as well and was not willing to get off it...I also realized from reading this site that people recover differently and what is normal for me may not conform to 'recommended guidelines'. Anyway, no spotting since (except when I overdid it on the crunches one day) so don't necessarily panic...

A/

Hi again! I did contact the doctor's office and told his nurse. She simply said she'd make note of it on my chart and when I go back in for a second visit on June 30th then I can talk to him. Honestly, he's a nice doctor but is getting way up there in his years and he didn't actually do the surgery. He assisted another surgeon I had to randomly pick last minute. It's one of his co-doctors but still was a stranger to me. The doctor who actually performed the surgery had no bedside manners so naturally I don't want to see him. This doctor (mine) I've only seen 3 times now. So, basically I am dealing with someone new in a sense.
I have stopped spotting and bleeding and don't know whether to chalk it up to it having been due to the Estradiol I had begun taking or the internal stitches causing it, though I haven't seen any "evidence" of stitches yet. I have been prescribed the Estradiol 1mg because it's only $5 a month verses Premarin would be $40 and that's with insurance!
I hope the Estradiol will end up working out for me as I hate to begin having to try different HRT's. I wonder if anyone out there has suggestions regarding the more natural approach rather than prescription HRT's?

Here's the "technical" explanation lol~ your bleeding inside from the surgery, from the stitches internally etc, they made the vaginal cuff with suture however there are areas in these sutures that the fluid, blood etc can seep through. If you "overdo" it you may notice more because your irritiating things inside more. As time goes you will notice color changes in the discharge, quantity changes etc. The 2nd and 3rd weeks the bleeding can be heavier because your stitches are looser and you probally up and at em more. I'm 6 weeks this week and I think I just got to where i don't need a pantyliner, though I still have some light discharge. Hopefully that explanation makes sense

Thanks, Tater218! You've explained things better than the nurse was even able to explain. She wasn't even sure of what she herself was saying. Your explanation makes such perfect sense and I really appreciate it. Thank you!

I just had my 6 week post DaVinci check up on Wednesday. I am still having light spotting. My doctor said it looked like I had some granular scar tissue from where the internal sutures were and used a few silver nitrate sticks to coat the area. I have been spotting the silver nitrate now, but he says it should go away in several days.