I had laparoscopic surgery on 3/20/08 b/c I was having pain on my left side for several months. After an ultrasound & CT scan showed nothing, the surgery found scar tissue/adhesions & some endometriosis on my left abdominal wall going to my bowel & some on my bladder. I'm still recovering. They made 3 incisions, one on each side & one in my belly button. My belly is so sore even with the pain meds, even worse than it was the 1st week.
I've talked to my doc & she says to make sure I'm keeping up & medicating properly. I see her again on Thursday. It's kind of hard to take vicodent at work, ibuprofen hasn't worked & ultram works mostly, but I can still feel some pain & it makes me nauseated. Trying to take care of a little one is a bit challenging to say the least in all of this, but I am trying to rest when I can.
Anyone been through this? Any suggestions/advice? Thanks for listening.
~F.
I don't have any really good advice for you. I had a similar surgery in December and I had almost no pain so I would recommend to you to follow-up with your doctor. The purpose of doing a laparascopy as opposed to a traditional surgery is that there is less pain and less scarring so I am surprised you are in so much pain- definitely follow up and make sure nothing is wrong. Hope you feel better.
I remember this recovery to be harder than recovering from my C-section. I know it's hard but rest is probably the best thing for you. Call on anyone you can to help you out while you are getting back to normal. Also, the medication is really important in your recovery, it helps your body to manage the pain which will help you to heal.
Good Luck!!
HI F.,
I'm going for round two of similar stuff in May. I'd rather give birth with no meds! :-) I think recovery in general is harder when your a mom b/c you stress about all the stuff you usually do and can't and because you really don't REST like you should - it's just not realistic.
A couple thoughts -
1)I'm assuming you're not lifting anything heavy, right? You probalby shouldn't be picking up the baby or liftin anything heavier than a gallon of milk - pain in the butt, but will help you heal properly.
2Also, it's much easier to keep up on your meds and be a bit out of it but more comfortable than it is to try and catch up on pain relief. Easier said than done.
3)Having had more than my share of medical visits in the past year I can tell you if something doesn't seem right don't let your doc blow you off. I had a really highly rated OB who blew off my concerns and it ended up being a big ordeal for me - I trusted her opinoin (b/c of her reputation )that it was nothing and it wasn't nothing. Good docs make bad decisions, so trust your judgement and your instincts if things don't seem right. Good luck in your recovery - this too shall pass!
Dear F.,
I had this surgery done in Germany many years ago,I was in the hospital for two weeks resting!!! I can't imagine taking care of a child.
I was working as a nurse before and after surgery, and the most important here is, that the area where you have the stiches,are not inflamed,and you don't have a fever.
The pain should be better by now,did you say you are working?
Rest is very important .Good luck Marion
Hi F.,
I have been there. The thing with the laproscopy is that they really beat you up in surgery. Filling you up with air so they have more room to work and then the instruments in and out of the incisions. It isn't a fun recovery.
Really, time is what will make it better. If you can get up and walk around as much as possible and keep "somewhat" active as I know you can't do a whole lot being only 10 days post-op.
My first child was born via emergency c-section and I have a vertical scar (most are horizontal) and I feel like the laproscopy was a worse recovery.
If you can find those patches that are like heating pads (I think they are advertised for cramps or backaches) and put those on, that may help relieve some of the pain.
With the ultram, I wonder if eating more when you take it would help?
Hang in there. Hopefully other moms will have other tips.
Sending hugs,
B.
I had laproscopic sugery with the same 3 incisions about 7 years ago to remove a grapefruit sized growth on my ovary. I had the surgery in June and it took longer to feel better than they said it would. Took even longer than that to feel normal.
For me I was willing to do the surgery because I'd been in a lot of pain prior to it. After it was removed the pain was different, and better becuase I knew it was going away.
I reamember wanting to strech, it hurt but it felt better too. I felt really bloated for a while.
Sorry, I don't have any great pointers but I know it wasn't fun and I can't imagine going through it while taking care of kids. Good luck and feel better.
My scenario was very similar, except I didn't have the pain like you did. But everyone's pain threshhold is different. Is the area red & inflamed? I would make sure there is no infection.
