pain after laparotomy

[jenjenwan]

hi, i had a laparotomy last wednesday to remove a large mass and the left ovary.  the pain after was quite bearable and after a few days and i stopped taking the painkillers.  however, a week later (last night)...i began getting severe pains just above my abdomen, they're abit like periods pains.  but all my life i've never experienced stomach pains like this before.  normally i take some painkillers and it's fine but last night  i took the painkillers as prescribed by the doctors but to no avail...it's still hurting.  why is that?  should i be worried?  do i need to go back to the doctor?

[old_before_my_time]

Welcome to the community. Has your doctor done any imaging such as an ultrasound to try to determine the cause of your pain? It is odd that the pain started back up shortly after surgery.

Could you possibly have endometriosis? If so, that cannot be seen on imaging and has to be diagnosed via surgery. Regular gynecologists may not be able to even identify endo by surgery. Endometriosis specialists are the best doctors for diagnosing and managing this disease IF you think you have it.

It's possible too that something went awry during surgery. If that is the case, your surgeon may be avoiding "getting to the bottom of it" to protect him/herself.

[laxirose]

hi my name is rosemary,i have had a cyst removed and my right ovary and that is last year august and at 1st the pain wasn't that bad but since September last year the pain has gotten to the point where I cnt even walk been back to the docter  but all he gives are pain killers and antibiotics and the pain meds don't seem to be helping me.Please help I cant take the pain anymore

[joanie2112]

I had a laparotomy for an ectopic pregnancy at age 29 and was hospitalized for four days.  I don't recall needing painkillers after my release from the hospital.  It got easier after the second week when my staples were removed.  The stitches dissolved on their own and weren't removed.  It was about 8 weeks until I felt completely healed.  

Walk a little on level ground to promote circulation and drink plenty of water.  A multivitamin with e will promote healing.  Limit all other physical activity.  

I had a portion of my left ovary removed at that time.  This is the one with the cyst now that needs to be removed.  Today I had an Ova 1 test.  The initial procedure will be a  laprascopy if the results are favorable.  My surgery will be performed by my OB-Gyn and a Gyn-Oc.   There is heightened concern because I had a cousin who passed away from ovarian cancer.  Due to the size of the multiloculated cyst, 5.5 cm, I would not be surprised if the doctors end up performing another laparotomy.  

[JessRae]

I'm glad I came across this site too, it helped me so much to prep for surgery, and even more post op.

I'm glad to hear it just sounds like your pain is normal and likely from doing too much, which doesnt take much from this surgery to do too much! Hopefully keeping on the pain meds helps. You can also do some ice pack on your stomach too and see if that helps. When i was in the hospital i basically lived with an ice pack on my stomach it helped a fair bit too

[jenjenwan]

thanks so much for all your help!  you've no idea how great it is to hear from people like you guys who have gone through the same thing!  i wish i had come across this site earlier!

anyway, i went to the nurse earlier today to get my stitches removed and she reassured me that my pain is normal and basically what you guys are saying, to keep on the painkillers!

joanie, don't worry about the surgery!  it'll be fine!  it'll be over before you know it!  good luck with everything!  i'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!  x

[JessRae]

Laughing is a wonderful thing.... til youre post op from abdominal surgery. I know its a pain to do, but hold your stomach either with just your hands, or hold a pillow to it, itll support the muscles a little more and keep some discomfort down.

Sounds like just in simple day to day task, you over did it. It is very easy to over do it that early post op, everything you do is too much some days.

Joanie- Is your doctor going to try to remove ovary and mass via laparoscopy first? Good luck with the upcoming surgery! I remember being stressed out and in limbo and just wanted things over too, it'll get better honest!

[Katyfw]

Hi
One thing I will say is carry on with ur meds for the first fortnight even if u feel ok because once u stop meds it's harder for the pain relief to kick in again when starting a fresh!
Oh dear laughing is normally good but be careful, I laughed so much one day that I split my stitches & my belly button got infected :-(
As long as u don't hav a fever or feel sick then ur symptoms are pretty normal for recovery, but if at anytime u get a fever or feel sick u should get straight to ur doctor as these are signs of infection
Wishing u a speedy recovery
From
K

[joanie2112]

I'm scheduled for the same surgery coming up on June 29.  I also have a mass on my left ovary and my test results thus far have been encouraging that it may be benign.  I'm hoping that my doctor can do a minimally invasive procedure.  The ovary is kaput and needs to come out.  As far as the fast forward button, I can completely relate.  Ever since hearing about the ultrasound report on May 24, I've been stressed out in limbo land and just want it to be over.    

[jenjenwan]

thanks for you help jessrae.  it does put my mind at ease as i do think maybe i've been moving around too much, treking up and downstairs of my house doesn't help i suppose, and my friends have been doing everything to make me laugh.  i've been taking painkillers every 4 hours or so now and the pain is better.  i just wish there was a fastforward button that i can press and it'll all be over.

thanks again!  x

[JessRae]

Have you been doing a lot to cause the pains like waking, moving around, coughing/laughing, etc? Do you have a fever?

I was still taking pain meds, regularly for 2 weeks after coming home from hospital. I had really bad pains one day, and my stomach swelled worse than ever before, and that's because I over did it. And if you don't stay on top of pain meds, even if you feel like you don't need them at first, it is hard to get pain until control.

For the first week home, I was taking the meds( dr just had me on extra strength tylenol and ibuprofen) every 4 hours, I gradually got to every 6 hours, then every 8 hours, to just as needed.

Hopefully this helps. I'm sorry to hear you're having pains hope it eases. Have you tried using an ice pack too? Thatll help ease internal swelling etc