Post op - is this normal?

forest_green

Hi, ladies. I'm hoping you can give me some insight in to what is normal after surgery. I'm 51, and had a vaginal hysterectomy with BSO (tubes & ovaries out) almost 2 weeks ago. I'm wondering if some of the things I'm experiencing are normal post-op problems. There is so much they DON'T tell you in the discharge instructions! Starting earlier this week, if I'm upright for more than a half hour or so, I feel a lot of pressure, like my insides are trying to fall outside. It doesn't hurt, but it is uncomfortable, and accompanied with brown/pink spotting. I also get sharp, brief pains in my abdomen. Are these things just a normal part of healing? Any insight would be welcome.

daisy366

forest
I did not have that type of surgery, but if it was me, I wouldn't mess around - I'd call my doctor's office. I had a nurse assigned to me who was very helpful in answering these types of questions. And he/she would refer back to doc if needed.

Hope you recover soon. Mary Ann

CindyGSD

My experience
I just had surgery July 5 and I'm still at home recovering though I feel fine and even spent the day at the race track yesterday. I did have a lot of pressure in my lower abdomen; it felt like my insides were rearranging themselves. I walked around with my hand on my stomach alot, holding myself up and in. I also felt numbness and itching on my incision, but I had abdominal surgery, not vaginal so that probably won't be an issue for you.

I had some pain during the first week, but I did not experience the sharp pains you are talking about. The pink/brown spotting is normal. In fact, because I retained so much fluid during my hospital stay (seventeen pounds worth which was hugely disappointing because I didn't eat a thing), I had to wear heavy flow menstrual pads for a few weeks (this was for the fluid not blood). I continue to wear panty liners but as of now I am hardly spotting at all. This is normal for up to six to eight weeks after surgery according to my doctor.

I would call about the sharp pain. It's probably not serious but you want to make sure. Bottomline...DON'T lift anything...the only pain I ever experienced was when I lifted something heavy, but that was more like a burn then a sharp pain.

Best wishes to you...
Cindy

Kaleena

I had the regular type of
I had the regular type of hysterectomy - incisional - and a total. You must give yourself a full six weeks to recovery. Every once in a while I would get pinches and pains in different areas. When I thought I was recovered, I was doing some floor exercises and it felt like my insides moved. I did end up with a hernia which became huge. So just take it easy. But as with anything, always let your physician know of these things.

My best to you.

Kathy

Songflower

Kaleena said:

I had the regular type of
I had the regular type of hysterectomy - incisional - and a total. You must give yourself a full six weeks to recovery. Every once in a while I would get pinches and pains in different areas. When I thought I was recovered, I was doing some floor exercises and it felt like my insides moved. I did end up with a hernia which became huge. So just take it easy. But as with anything, always let your physician know of these things.

My best to you.

Kathy

Post Op Changes
I think you need to call your physician. I never had any spotting or that much pain. I would go in ASAP and not put this off. If it worsens I would go to the ER. Let us know how it turns out.

Sunflower

forest_green

Thanks
I appreciate the comments. I'll give my doc a call on Monday. Didn't want to over react if this was all normal.

forest_green

Songflower said:

Post Op Changes
I think you need to call your physician. I never had any spotting or that much pain. I would go in ASAP and not put this off. If it worsens I would go to the ER. Let us know how it turns out.

Sunflower

Could be vaginal prolapse
Could be vaginal prolapse (after talking with the doctor, then looking up the symptoms, it fits pretty well). I go in on Thursday to find out. Thanks!