My poor sore tummy warning (pic attached)

[MissyB1]

Had a hysterectomy earlier this week. So sore and the belly button wound is the worst. I can see behind the dressing it’s very bruised. My tummy is also swollen, it’s like a little barrel! I’m taking painkillers every 4 hours still. I’m so fed up now. No point to this post really I’m just moaning!

I will get the histology in a couple of weeks, it’s a potential cancer - 40% chance apparently. Will cross that bridge when I come to it.

Oh you poor thing that looks horribly sore, sending positive vibes your way

I had a tubes/ovaries removed earlier this week too.
I honestly didn't think it was would be sore as it is.
My belly button is the worst incision and the bloating and gas.
I'm finding evenings are worst for the pain and bloating.

@Justwingingit2005

I had a tubes/ovaries removed earlier this week too. I honestly didn't think it was would be sore as it is. My belly button is the worst incision and the bloating and gas. I'm finding evenings are worst for the pain and bloating.

@Justwingingit2005

Yes evenings are definitely worse. And my belly button is a disaster zone I fear! I can see the bruising spreading out from it. Hope you are taking it easy. I made a mistake yesterday and didn’t rest enough, paid the price all night!

I over did it yesterday too. Had to just lay in sofa with a hot water bottle and painkillers.
Today I'm sitting on the sofa.
I didn't think it would be sore or I would be so bloated.

A friend had a hysterectomy as part of response to ovarian cancer and kindly(!) WhatsApped us daily pictures of her stomach...
The first few looked as if shehad been attacked with a blunt tin opener - a jagged, puckered scar right up her abdomen and doing a swerve round her belly button.
The scar itself stopped hurting within a week, and within three weeks it is such a neat line.
Give it time.

I must admit I had underestimated the pain and bloating too. I should stay away from google because I keep reading the bloating can last for weeks 😱

@Scarby9 oh bless her! Yes patience is probably what’s needed here. That’s part of my problem I’m a million miles an hour type person, always “getting things done”. Now I just need to slow down and wait.

I’m day 11 post op. Hysterectomy with tubes and cervix (basically all except ovaries) The bloating is unreal. I look very pregnant and I previously had such a flat stomach. The pain from the gas was the worst part, although I’m also struggling with some discomfort from a mild urine infection. Need to keep an eye on that!
I’ve got 6 incisions from the surgery visible and internal stitching. The worst thing is when I sneeze: OMG 😳

@GoodMorningSunshine Hi welcome to the bloated tum society

Yes I’m also looking like I’m expecting a bundle of joy - which would be tricky being 5 years into the menopause and having no ovaries or uterus!!

I’m slightly worried about a urine infection. I’m weeing ok, but it takes a while to happen, and doesn’t feel particularly comfortable. I’m keeping an eye on that.

I had a relatively minor gynae op and found that sitting was no good - had to lie flat several times a day.

I had a little routine going of pottering and lying flat.

Oh god yes, the bloating ...

@Melroses

I had a relatively minor gynae op and found that sitting was no good - had to lie flat several times a day.

I had a little routine going of pottering and lying flat.

Yes I’ve worked out that sitting doesn’t seem to help, it must be a position thing. Yesterday I was sitting in the garden too long, I didn’t go for a lie down- big mistake! I have spent a lot of time on my bed today.

My consultant recommended peppermint tea for the bloating but I hate mint. Ive decided to buscopan and see if that helps.
I was told before surgery that UTIs are common as you have a catheter in theatre so was given an antibiotic injection.

Yes I have a vague post anaesthetic memory of being given an IV antibiotic.

My catheter was bloody painful, I kept asking if it was in the right place as it was just so awful.

I had the keyhole hysterectomy, get some peppermint oil capsules & also take arnica tablets for the internal & external bruising which will be part of the swelling. It took me about a month to get back in my jeans afterwards, drink lots of peppermint tea as well.

Yes I had the catheter 25 hours total. I’ve had a few in my time and I will NEVER get over the sensation of them being taken out 😣

No one said I had any antibiotics.... I’m
going to keep trying to flush through, by drinking lots of water. If I’m still uncomfortable I’ll call my doctor.

Yes to Arnica tablets.
Will get myself some of those! Thank you

I got a bad infection in my belly button incision after ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. I was not sure whether to panic or not so I just fretted. For too long. I had to go to emergency and was admitted for five days intravenous antibiotics, and another 14 oral.

I am telling you this so you don't make the same mistake. It's hard to tell because of the dressing, but if that incision is red and sore, I would definitely call the surgeon's office and send a picture. My surgeon said she took one look at it and knew I had to be in hospital.

Instead I kept showing DH who is no medical wizard!

I hope you feel better soon, and that it is not cancer. I had a rare tumour that they decided after two months fuss was not cancer and had been completely removed.

Get well soon!

GoodMorningSunshine They usually give you antibiotics while you are in theatre & a couple more iv doses over the next 24 hours, I got sent home with 5 days supply to finish the course.

I just started my own thread on this very topic! Excellent advice, thank you all

Arnica! Of course that’s what I need! Will order some today, thank you.

@Nat6999 I didn’t have anything after the operation except painkillers and one injection into my stomach to help prevent DVT!

I had my operation robotically, not that should make a difference? I’m drinking lots (which I should do really anyway) but feel more comfortable today!

I decided to have a peak under my belly button dressing and it looks red (and was abit sweaty). Will give it an airing and see how it is tomorrow.

I do wonder why one side I can't feel yet belly button and the other side are very sore and tender. Its not the outside skin it feels like I've been punched repeatedly inside.

So I’m 7 days post op today. I’m inclined to take the dressings off all the wounds and let the air get to them. Bit nervous though!

GoodMorningSunshine They might still have given them during the operation.

I'm sat here airing myself..... think I've over done it the last 2 days and had to take some painkillers earlier.

@Justwingingit2005 yes it’s easily done isn’t it? I find I’m having to consciously stop myself from doing much, which for me is very tricky.
I’m still taking painkillers 3 times a day.