5th week post Laparotomy and still in pain!

[donna_07]

I had a  Laparotomy Feb. 02,'09  a  12cm dermoid cyst was taken out from my left ovary, still waiting for my  pathology result but was told 99% benign! they were able to save my left ovary and was told i have greater chances of conceiving having 2 functional ovaries, my right one is clear, thank God!  My question is im on week 5 and still having pains, just a few days i needed to go back taking vicodin (tried to wean after 2nd wk) because the pain wud not allow me to sleep.  i will have my first post surgery check up appt. on march 16, and i have so many questions in mind.  i was able to walk in my 2nd day( thought yay! ill be quick to recover) as i was on pain meds(morphine) and  in the hospital for 4 days. the first week was tough to get out from bed but it gets better each day.  i still take motrin 2-3x /day  as i still feel pulsating pains and pulling inside.  My incision looks good and healing w/ a red pinkish line on it ( is this normal?)  there are spots that are more sensitive than others, and i can walk better now than previous days! im not sure when should i return to work?   i was envious to women whose post i read were up and ready at 2-3wks :)  i wish i am :(  i am trying to be careful as i want to heal completely,  i still avoid lifting and heavy chores in the house.  but at 5th week i felt im not recovering as fast , as im still in pain and im very limited on my activities ( walking and others)   Can anyone share their recovery experience w/ me?  pls! and how long till you feel normal and ready? thanks and God Bless  to you all  women ,that endure and keep fighting :)  

[MarieMichele]

I was in similar condition as you describe at 5 weeks.  I'm at 8 weeks now and still hold a pillow to my stomach, both at work and at home.  I still don't lift anything heavy and it's still tender to press on the surgery area, even though the incision healed nicely with no healing problems.  Lots of internal healing is still going on.  The reality is it takes months to be normal again.  It sounds like you are recovering at a normal pace.

[justscore]

Everyone heals different.............
Remember that they poked, pulled and removed things from your insides and they are probably still in shock!  Take it easy and rest.  Seems a little strange that your 1st post-op appt. is over a month after your surgery.  If you are really uncomfortable, it may be a good idea to check in w/your Dr or maybe talk to a nurse.  Hope you feel better!

Heidi

[donna_07]

thank u both for your time and comments, it helps a lot and calms my mind of the unknown and how things are healing wise.  got my first post-op march 16 and the doctor said im fine and recovering well, although they tried to do thyroid test this time as they found carcinoid cells on my dermoid cyst! so i just need to hope and pray and wait :)

donna

[MarieMichele]

I'm glad the doctor said you are healing well and I will hope and pray with you that followup tests are normal.  It may be that they removed everything just in time and that you are now in good health....I don't understand how testing the thyroid will verify that, but my medical knowledge is limited to my own experiences as a patient.  Hopefully the doctor will bring you some good news soon.

[KellyK725]

I'm at Week 7 after removal of my left ovary and large cyst and the area is still sore to the touch.

While I can go running and lift weights (only 10 lbs), I'm not back to the physical condition I was in before and from what I'm told, it's going to take a while until that happens.

I also still have a bit of bloat on my left side...which looks pretty funny b/c my right side went down on swelling quickly. That little side effect better not be permanent...hehe.

It's hard to remember that even though the scar healed extremely quickly, your insides are still healing...and they'll take longer than the scar.