Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Cindy - Thanks so much for the reply. I have been so anxious about having surgery and when I was told yesterday that I may need a vertical incision (something I didn't expect to hear), it was upsetting to me. I thought, oh great, more pain and I hate pain meds. I did read your earlier post re: toradol and actually wrote that down on my list of things to tell the doctor. She seemed to think the combo of a general and an epidural would be good for me since I am so concerned about post op nausea. I am assuming you had an epidural with your c-section? Did you go directly to pills after you were off of the epidural? By the way, how big were your fibroids? I'm curious as to why you had a vertical incision. Maybe they were just going over your old c-section incision and didn't want to give you another scar? How's it looking now? Are bikini days forever gone? I am looking forward to a flat stomach after this and wouldn't mind digging out my bikini, but I don't want to look like frankenstein in the belly area in it! Well, hopefully when the time comes she won't have to do a vertical cut after all. She said she may be able to manipulate my uterus while I'm under to get a bikini cut. ouch. I sure am hoping that the anticipation is the worst part. It sure has me freaked out. Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 wow ! thanks for the post about your surgery. i'm feeling better about it already. it sounds as if you had a lot going on inside of you! my main reason for this surgery is to be able to wear what i want again and not hide my pregnant looking belly. my largest fibroid is on the left side of my body and as large as my whole hand. it sits left of my belly button. your uterus sounds as if it truly was taking over your body! wow. how old are you and do you have kids? thanks for the encouraging words. with all the other things to worry about, i'm trying to tell myself this isn't that big of a deal. amy p.s. who would want to be britney spears anyway? please. put some clothes on girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 wow ! thanks for the post about your surgery. i'm feeling better about it already. it sounds as if you had a lot going on inside of you! my main reason for this surgery is to be able to wear what i want again and not hide my pregnant looking belly. my largest fibroid is on the left side of my body and as large as my whole hand. it sits left of my belly button. your uterus sounds as if it truly was taking over your body! wow. how old are you and do you have kids? thanks for the encouraging words. with all the other things to worry about, i'm trying to tell myself this isn't that big of a deal. amy p.s. who would want to be britney spears anyway? please. put some clothes on girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 wow ! thanks for the post about your surgery. i'm feeling better about it already. it sounds as if you had a lot going on inside of you! my main reason for this surgery is to be able to wear what i want again and not hide my pregnant looking belly. my largest fibroid is on the left side of my body and as large as my whole hand. it sits left of my belly button. your uterus sounds as if it truly was taking over your body! wow. how old are you and do you have kids? thanks for the encouraging words. with all the other things to worry about, i'm trying to tell myself this isn't that big of a deal. amy p.s. who would want to be britney spears anyway? please. put some clothes on girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 cindy - i now remember reading about your bowel obstruction when you were pregnant. my lord, you went through so much. i remember how gruesome your story was. you must be so glad to be rid of the damn thing. it's encouraging to hear that there are options for me. my doctor is going to prepare me in advance with nausea control (not even going to wait for it to appear), plus is going to give me an anti-inflammatory type drug to take for several days before surgery to build up a reserve so less pain relief is needed. it seems as if we are going about this in a precautionary way and i appreciate her efforts to make this as comfortable as possible. she mentioned that the epidural will slow my bowel recovery a little, but still feels that it's a good option for me. she doesn't think it will be significant enough to cause a problem post op. i like the idea of waking up feeling numb rather than in pain and needing narcotics. did you have problems with post op gas? i hear that's the worse part. amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 cindy - i now remember reading about your bowel obstruction when you were pregnant. my lord, you went through so much. i remember how gruesome your story was. you must be so glad to be rid of the damn thing. it's encouraging to hear that there are options for me. my doctor is going to prepare me in advance with nausea control (not even going to wait for it to appear), plus is going to give me an anti-inflammatory type drug to take for several days before surgery to build up a reserve so less pain relief is needed. it seems as if we are going about this in a precautionary way and i appreciate her efforts to make this as comfortable as possible. she mentioned that the epidural will slow my bowel recovery a little, but still feels that it's a good option for me. she doesn't think it will be significant enough to cause a problem post op. i like the idea of waking up feeling numb rather than in pain and needing narcotics. did you have problems with post op gas? i hear that's the worse part. amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 cindy - i now remember reading about your bowel obstruction when you were pregnant. my lord, you went through so much. i remember how gruesome your story was. you must be so glad to be rid of the damn thing. it's encouraging to hear that there are options for me. my doctor is going to prepare me in advance with nausea control (not even going to wait for it to appear), plus is going to give me an anti-inflammatory type drug to take for several days before surgery to build up a reserve so less pain relief is needed. it seems as if we are going about this in a precautionary way and i appreciate her efforts to make this as comfortable as possible. she mentioned that the epidural will slow my bowel recovery a little, but still feels that it's a good option for me. she doesn't think it will be significant enough to cause a problem post op. i like the idea of waking up feeling numb rather than in pain and needing narcotics. did you have problems with post op gas? i hear that's the worse part. amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Hi Amy, I just had an abdominal myo last Thursday (2/19) and had a vertical incision (it goes from about an inch below by navel to the top of my pubic bone) - I also had a vertical incision last year with my c/section as it was an emergency one. I never had a bikini cut so I can't compare them for you, but my experience is that a vertical incision is not that bad. I have not had any pain from my incision for the last few days and the only think I am taking is an occasional Motrin, mostly for back pain but an occasional ache in the belly area. I came home 2 days after my surgery with prescriptions for Motrin 600 mg. and Tylenol with Codeine - those 2 can be taken together and the first 2 nights I did take them together just before I went to bed - I slept great!! I do not like narcotics either (especially morphine, percoset, etc.), and would like to suggest a drug called Toradol - I was given that from right after surgery until the next morning and it worked great for me (available to go in your IV or as a shot). It's works like a really heavy duty Motrin - for me took the pain away & left my head intact! ) You may wish to discuss this option with your Dr. if Motrin generally works well for you. It can only be used for a short time but is extremely effective. Good luck to you - I truly believe that the anticipation of this surgery is much worse than the actual surgery!!! Take Care, Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Chie - Of course I could count on you to make me feel better. I didn't realize you had a vertical incision as well. You are my hope to get through this just fine! Thank you! You have no idea how much you have helped me. My husband had major surgery to have his colon removed when we were first married. His incision goes all the way around his belly button and up a few inches. You can barely see it now. Besides, who am I fooling? If I where a bikini, it will be with grandma type bottoms, not the low slung thongs you see today on the teens. I'll just be so happy not to have this stomach, like you said. My body is out of proportion these days! Thanks once again. I will let you know the definite date of my surgery once I know. Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 To Cindy: Thanks for posting about your experience. I'm scheduled for an ab myo in May & will probably have a vertical incision as well so it was good to hear about yours. You are the second person that has recommended Toradol - I am not a drug person at all & am worried about the morphine. I will ask my Dr. about Toradol - I live in Vancouver Canada so that drug may or may not be available here. I'll definitley ask. I do agree with you that it's the anticipation of the surgery that's stressing me out - I just want it over with. I have 2 7cm intramural fibroids as well as some smaller ones. I have had 1 out of 3 shots of Lupron in preparation for surgery. How many fibroids did you have & what kind were they - did you have Lupron as well. Your feedback would be much appreciated - my e-mail address is cherinvan19@... Best regards Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 I had a myomectomy on 2/9, knowing I would be receiving a vertical incision. I was diagonosed with numerous fibroids, when indicated on my body, beginning 2 inches below my breasts down to my pubic hair line. I was told that 90% of my uterus was covered by fibroids. I asked for and viewed pictures afterwards as I wanted to see what I had been living with. The images show my uterus covered with fibroids. The largest fibroid was almost center of my abdomen, watermelon sized and twisted. I had 18 fibroids in all. The last image shows a small fist-sized uterus, red and healthy. Miracuously I lost little blood. Due to the location of the large fibroid I knew that a bikini cut was impossible. The incision actually is shaped like a question mark: a backwards " c " around my belly button with a straight line down. The left side of my belly button is still a little puffy and I get a minor pull behind by belly button occassionally. I am very pleased with the way it is healing thus far and am hopeful the scar will be minimal. While I most likely will not be able to compete with Britney Spears anytime soon on the perfect belly, I did lose 10 pounds, my stomach is almost flat and I look so much better in all of my clothes. I too was at a 24 week size. I did read that vertical incisions are done far less than horizontal, however, the location, number and size of my fibroids warranted this outcome. Good Luck Amy!! > I met with my doctor yesterday to discuss scheduling my surgery to get rid of > these fibroids. They are currently at about 20 weeks size. She surprised > me by stating that the size and location of the fibroids and also the small > size of my pelvis would most likely cause her to need to do a vertical incision > rather than a bikini incision. When I told her I to explain further, she > actually showed me where a typical bikini incision would go (on my body) and > pointed out how small the area is. She said that she wasn't 100% sure, but it > seemed as if she would need to do a vertical incision. This has me upset as I > know that these incisions are supposed to be more painful. However, she did > agree to let me have an epidural along with a general, because I am trying to > avoid as much narcotics as possible. She said that I could leave the > epidural in over night the first night following surgery and then start on pills the > next morning for pain relief. I think that this sounds pretty good. I > asked her about getting up on my feet hopefully the first night and she said they > could turn the epidural down enough so that I regain feeling in my legs so I > could stand. What do you think? Should I be concerned over this inicision > thing? A while back someone posted about having a vertical incision (by > surprise) and I don't remember how her recovery went compared to others. > > Amy > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 I had a myomectomy on 2/9, knowing I would be receiving a vertical incision. I was diagonosed with numerous fibroids, when indicated on my body, beginning 2 inches below my breasts down to my pubic hair line. I was told that 90% of my uterus was covered by fibroids. I asked for and viewed pictures afterwards as I wanted to see what I had been living with. The images show my uterus covered with fibroids. The largest fibroid was almost center of my abdomen, watermelon sized and twisted. I had 18 fibroids in all. The last image shows a small fist-sized uterus, red and healthy. Miracuously I lost little blood. Due to the location of the large fibroid I knew that a bikini cut was impossible. The incision actually is shaped like a question mark: a backwards " c " around my belly button with a straight line down. The left side of my belly button is still a little puffy and I get a minor pull behind by belly button occassionally. I am very pleased with the way it is healing thus far and am hopeful the scar will be minimal. While I most likely will not be able to compete with Britney Spears anytime soon on the perfect belly, I did lose 10 pounds, my stomach is almost flat and I look so much better in all of my clothes. I too was at a 24 week size. I did read that vertical incisions are done far less than horizontal, however, the location, number and size of my fibroids warranted this outcome. Good Luck Amy!! > I met with my doctor yesterday to discuss scheduling my surgery to get rid of > these fibroids. They are currently at about 20 weeks size. She surprised > me by stating that the size and location of the fibroids and also the small > size of my pelvis would most likely cause her to need to do a vertical incision > rather than a bikini incision. When I told her I to explain further, she > actually showed me where a typical bikini incision would go (on my body) and > pointed out how small the area is. She said that she wasn't 100% sure, but it > seemed as if she would need to do a vertical incision. This has me upset as I > know that these incisions are supposed to be more painful. However, she did > agree to let me have an epidural along with a general, because I am trying to > avoid as much narcotics as possible. She said that I could leave the > epidural in over night the first night following surgery and then start on pills the > next morning for pain relief. I think that this sounds pretty good. I > asked her about getting up on my feet hopefully the first night and she said they > could turn the epidural down enough so that I regain feeling in my legs so I > could stand. What do you think? Should I be concerned over this inicision > thing? A while back someone posted about having a vertical incision (by > surprise) and I don't remember how her recovery went compared to others. > > Amy > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 - thanks for the words of encouragement. with all of the things to worry about re: surgery, i think that i will wipe worry from my list. so glad to hear you felt good by four weeks. i am traveling to hawaii in april and am counting on feeling great for the vacation. thanks! Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Hi Amy, My c/section was an emergency one done under general anesthesia so I did not have an epidural (I posted previously about my whole ordeal...). I was on IV narcotics after the c/s that I did NOT do well with (actually I'm not sure if it was the narcotics or post partum stuff, but anyway...). Fortunately, my brother is a pharmacist & came to see me & told them to take me off the narcotics & give me Toradol - I love him for that - it was awesome! I was on Toradol for maybe 1 or 2 days, then went to 600 mg. of Motrin. My pain issues were similar last time, too - I was off all pain meds except for Motrin in less than a week. Plus, I was nursing so I didn't want to take anything I didn't have to. I had nausea this time because of the post op morphine, and was given a drug called Reaglan(sp?) via IV which helped. If you feel at all nauseated, tell them & they will give you something. Throwing up is something you will definitely not want to do for at least a couple weeks after your myo! I had one big fibroid (grapefruit size) on the outside back of my uterus along with 3 very small ones, also on the outside. The big one was the one they were most concerned about as it created a bowel obstruction when I was 8 months pregnant which is why I had the emergency c/section. My Dr. did go over the old scar so that I wouldn't be a total mess of scars on my belly...she actually cut away the old scar tissue & cleaned it up a bit for me! It doesn't look bad now but is obviously still healing. I had the staples out on Wed. and now have a few strips of surgical tape over it. Unfortunately for me, my bikini wearing days ended long ago! ) The new bikini styles, though, will make it so that you'll certainly be able to wear one again!! And, scars fade over time so probably by next summer it won't even be an issue. Good luck to you! Cindy > Cindy - Thanks so much for the reply. I have been so anxious about having > surgery and when I was told yesterday that I may need a vertical incision > (something I didn't expect to hear), it was upsetting to me. I thought, oh > great, more pain and I hate pain meds. I did read your earlier post re: toradol > and actually wrote that down on my list of things to tell the doctor. She > seemed to think the combo of a general and an epidural would be good for me since > I am so concerned about post op nausea. I am assuming you had an epidural > with your c-section? Did you go directly to pills after you were off of the > epidural? > > By the way, how big were your fibroids? I'm curious as to why you had a > vertical incision. Maybe they were just going over your old c- section incision > and didn't want to give you another scar? How's it looking now? Are bikini > days forever gone? I am looking forward to a flat stomach after this and > wouldn't mind digging out my bikini, but I don't want to look like frankenstein in > the belly area in it! Well, hopefully when the time comes she won't have > to do a vertical cut after all. She said she may be able to manipulate my > uterus while I'm under to get a bikini cut. ouch. > > I sure am hoping that the anticipation is the worst part. It sure has me > freaked out. > > Amy > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Hi Amy, My c/section was an emergency one done under general anesthesia so I did not have an epidural (I posted previously about my whole ordeal...). I was on IV narcotics after the c/s that I did NOT do well with (actually I'm not sure if it was the narcotics or post partum stuff, but anyway...). Fortunately, my brother is a pharmacist & came to see me & told them to take me off the narcotics & give me Toradol - I love him for that - it was awesome! I was on Toradol for maybe 1 or 2 days, then went to 600 mg. of Motrin. My pain issues were similar last time, too - I was off all pain meds except for Motrin in less than a week. Plus, I was nursing so I didn't want to take anything I didn't have to. I had nausea this time because of the post op morphine, and was given a drug called Reaglan(sp?) via IV which helped. If you feel at all nauseated, tell them & they will give you something. Throwing up is something you will definitely not want to do for at least a couple weeks after your myo! I had one big fibroid (grapefruit size) on the outside back of my uterus along with 3 very small ones, also on the outside. The big one was the one they were most concerned about as it created a bowel obstruction when I was 8 months pregnant which is why I had the emergency c/section. My Dr. did go over the old scar so that I wouldn't be a total mess of scars on my belly...she actually cut away the old scar tissue & cleaned it up a bit for me! It doesn't look bad now but is obviously still healing. I had the staples out on Wed. and now have a few strips of surgical tape over it. Unfortunately for me, my bikini wearing days ended long ago! ) The new bikini styles, though, will make it so that you'll certainly be able to wear one again!! And, scars fade over time so probably by next summer it won't even be an issue. Good luck to you! Cindy > Cindy - Thanks so much for the reply. I have been so anxious about having > surgery and when I was told yesterday that I may need a vertical incision > (something I didn't expect to hear), it was upsetting to me. I thought, oh > great, more pain and I hate pain meds. I did read your earlier post re: toradol > and actually wrote that down on my list of things to tell the doctor. She > seemed to think the combo of a general and an epidural would be good for me since > I am so concerned about post op nausea. I am assuming you had an epidural > with your c-section? Did you go directly to pills after you were off of the > epidural? > > By the way, how big were your fibroids? I'm curious as to why you had a > vertical incision. Maybe they were just going over your old c- section incision > and didn't want to give you another scar? How's it looking now? Are bikini > days forever gone? I am looking forward to a flat stomach after this and > wouldn't mind digging out my bikini, but I don't want to look like frankenstein in > the belly area in it! Well, hopefully when the time comes she won't have > to do a vertical cut after all. She said she may be able to manipulate my > uterus while I'm under to get a bikini cut. ouch. > > I sure am hoping that the anticipation is the worst part. It sure has me > freaked out. > > Amy > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Hi Amy, My c/section was an emergency one done under general anesthesia so I did not have an epidural (I posted previously about my whole ordeal...). I was on IV narcotics after the c/s that I did NOT do well with (actually I'm not sure if it was the narcotics or post partum stuff, but anyway...). Fortunately, my brother is a pharmacist & came to see me & told them to take me off the narcotics & give me Toradol - I love him for that - it was awesome! I was on Toradol for maybe 1 or 2 days, then went to 600 mg. of Motrin. My pain issues were similar last time, too - I was off all pain meds except for Motrin in less than a week. Plus, I was nursing so I didn't want to take anything I didn't have to. I had nausea this time because of the post op morphine, and was given a drug called Reaglan(sp?) via IV which helped. If you feel at all nauseated, tell them & they will give you something. Throwing up is something you will definitely not want to do for at least a couple weeks after your myo! I had one big fibroid (grapefruit size) on the outside back of my uterus along with 3 very small ones, also on the outside. The big one was the one they were most concerned about as it created a bowel obstruction when I was 8 months pregnant which is why I had the emergency c/section. My Dr. did go over the old scar so that I wouldn't be a total mess of scars on my belly...she actually cut away the old scar tissue & cleaned it up a bit for me! It doesn't look bad now but is obviously still healing. I had the staples out on Wed. and now have a few strips of surgical tape over it. Unfortunately for me, my bikini wearing days ended long ago! ) The new bikini styles, though, will make it so that you'll certainly be able to wear one again!! And, scars fade over time so probably by next summer it won't even be an issue. Good luck to you! Cindy > Cindy - Thanks so much for the reply. I have been so anxious about having > surgery and when I was told yesterday that I may need a vertical incision > (something I didn't expect to hear), it was upsetting to me. I thought, oh > great, more pain and I hate pain meds. I did read your earlier post re: toradol > and actually wrote that down on my list of things to tell the doctor. She > seemed to think the combo of a general and an epidural would be good for me since > I am so concerned about post op nausea. I am assuming you had an epidural > with your c-section? Did you go directly to pills after you were off of the > epidural? > > By the way, how big were your fibroids? I'm curious as to why you had a > vertical incision. Maybe they were just going over your old c- section incision > and didn't want to give you another scar? How's it looking now? Are bikini > days forever gone? I am looking forward to a flat stomach after this and > wouldn't mind digging out my bikini, but I don't want to look like frankenstein in > the belly area in it! Well, hopefully when the time comes she won't have > to do a vertical cut after all. She said she may be able to manipulate my > uterus while I'm under to get a bikini cut. ouch. > > I sure am hoping that the anticipation is the worst part. It sure has me > freaked out. > > Amy > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Yes, I am very glad to be rid of Freddy the fibroid! ) I asked my Dr. if I could see it and she put it in a jar & had it in the recovery room with me! I remember vaguely looking at it but was still pretty out of it when I saw it. She also took 3 polaroid photos which she shared with my husband & parents. They are in my file so I hope to see them next time I go in. Apparently she had to use both hands to hold it. The gas pains were pretty bad, but walking around helps a lot so I would suggest taking whatever pain meds work & walking as much & as often as possible in the hospital & when you get home. For me, they subsided about the second or third day after surgery. They will also give you anti-gas medicine which helps too & you can continue to take it at home. I had to do a Fleet Phospho Soda bowel prep before my surgery (in the event there was bowel involved again - I don't think most people have to do this) and that was awful!!! My bowels didn't start working again until about 4 days after surgery - I wasn't uncomfortable, though, and tried to drink a lot of water, so it wasn't bad when they started working again. Your Dr. sounds wise to try to prevent these things before they start...I'm sure you will be fine & very happy when it's all over!! All the best, Cindy > cindy - > > i now remember reading about your bowel obstruction when you were pregnant. > my lord, you went through so much. i remember how gruesome your story was. > you must be so glad to be rid of the damn thing. it's encouraging to hear > that there are options for me. my doctor is going to prepare me in advance > with nausea control (not even going to wait for it to appear), plus is going to > give me an anti-inflammatory type drug to take for several days before > surgery to build up a reserve so less pain relief is needed. it seems as if we are > going about this in a precautionary way and i appreciate her efforts to make > this as comfortable as possible. she mentioned that the epidural will slow my > bowel recovery a little, but still feels that it's a good option for me. > she doesn't think it will be significant enough to cause a problem post op. i > like the idea of waking up feeling numb rather than in pain and needing > narcotics. did you have problems with post op gas? i hear that's the worse part. > > > amy > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Yes, I am very glad to be rid of Freddy the fibroid! ) I asked my Dr. if I could see it and she put it in a jar & had it in the recovery room with me! I remember vaguely looking at it but was still pretty out of it when I saw it. She also took 3 polaroid photos which she shared with my husband & parents. They are in my file so I hope to see them next time I go in. Apparently she had to use both hands to hold it. The gas pains were pretty bad, but walking around helps a lot so I would suggest taking whatever pain meds work & walking as much & as often as possible in the hospital & when you get home. For me, they subsided about the second or third day after surgery. They will also give you anti-gas medicine which helps too & you can continue to take it at home. I had to do a Fleet Phospho Soda bowel prep before my surgery (in the event there was bowel involved again - I don't think most people have to do this) and that was awful!!! My bowels didn't start working again until about 4 days after surgery - I wasn't uncomfortable, though, and tried to drink a lot of water, so it wasn't bad when they started working again. Your Dr. sounds wise to try to prevent these things before they start...I'm sure you will be fine & very happy when it's all over!! All the best, Cindy > cindy - > > i now remember reading about your bowel obstruction when you were pregnant. > my lord, you went through so much. i remember how gruesome your story was. > you must be so glad to be rid of the damn thing. it's encouraging to hear > that there are options for me. my doctor is going to prepare me in advance > with nausea control (not even going to wait for it to appear), plus is going to > give me an anti-inflammatory type drug to take for several days before > surgery to build up a reserve so less pain relief is needed. it seems as if we are > going about this in a precautionary way and i appreciate her efforts to make > this as comfortable as possible. she mentioned that the epidural will slow my > bowel recovery a little, but still feels that it's a good option for me. > she doesn't think it will be significant enough to cause a problem post op. i > like the idea of waking up feeling numb rather than in pain and needing > narcotics. did you have problems with post op gas? i hear that's the worse part. > > > amy > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Hi Amy, Hey, don't worry about the direction of the incision. I was worried and upset about it myself, as I already have a bikini line scar from an operation for ovarian cyst from over 10 years ago, so I didn't want a new scar, etc. When I had a pre-op. appointment, my gyn. promised me (although reluctantly) he'd " try his best " [to do a horizontal one], but on the day, literally 30 sec. before I was put under (which I thought was a bit cheeky!), already in the ante-room (or whatever that narrow room is called where the anaesthesist puts you to sleep) my Dr. came in and said, " I'll check again before we start, but I think I may have to do a vertical incision [because of size and location -- mine was the size of a 5-month pregnancy, so just under your size)],but I'll try to make it as cosmetic as possible. " were his infamous " last words " . I didn't even get a chance to protest (though I thought, " You xxxxrd! You promised you would do horizontal! " but I was on the operating table already, what could I do? He did stick to his promise though -- the scar is quite " beautiful " (as beautiful as scars can get.. that is..), a very thin line (all stiches under the skin, so nothiing bumpy on the surface) from my belly button all the way down to UNDER my bikini line scar (it's quite long, but then the fibroids (4 of them) were huge). I was also worried about the pain, etc., but I felt less pain afterwards than when I had my bikini line cut, and cosmetically, it's healing so nicely, it's hard to believe I had such a big operation! It it still quite red and visible, but the dr. (and I) are hoping it will fade out into a thin grey line in time.I too feel a minor pull of the muscles around the belly button area sometimes, but nothing that requires pain medication.In fact, I was only on pain medication for the first 5 days of hospital (standard in UK), and afterwards ZERO medication, as didn't need it. Some women seem to experience more discomfort and pain than others (everyone recovers at a different pace), so your body may react differently. I agree with the other lady who said no competition with Britney Spears, but if you don't mind not being able to bear your midriff to the " public " , at least there's the consolation that mine, for example, is the flattest it's ever been, and I lost quite a bit of weight too. A friend I hadn't seen for ages I met tonight noticed the weight loss too. So, Amy, don't worry. I worried, and in vain. Should have spent the energy doing sth else. Horizontal/vertical, it's all the same, and if your surgeon is skilled and experienced, you shouldn't have any extra problems just because your incision is vertical.I nearly asked my Dr. in jest if he couldn't cut my belly in a heart shape, at least that looks sexy even as a scar, doesn't it? He's the " very serious " type, I don't think he'd have understood the humour, so I kept that joke just for myself... ;-) Hope this makes you smile! Hang in there Amy and good luck! Chie PS: Forgot to say when I woke up from the op. I was soooo relieved and happy to be fibroid-free, that the LAST thing I cared about was the direction of my incision. I felt ridiculous to have fretted over such a minor thing, but at the time it felt like a major issue... I'm sure you'll feel the same! She said that she wasn't 100% sure, but it Should I be concerned over this incision thing? A while back someone posted about having a vertical incision (by surprise) and I don't remember how her recovery went compared to others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Hey Amy, I had a vertical incision too. My fibroids went up to my rib cage on the left side. My incision was from my pubic bone and up and around my belly button and continued about 4 inches above my belly button. Kind of like a question mark. I had surgery on Dec 4th and the scar is looking better and better every day. It is just a red line now. I too was concerned about the recovery time. I had heard it was longer with a vertical.....I have never had a horizontal to compare it too...but the vertical was not bad for me. The first night my Dr. had me up and sitting in a chair and I was up and walking the next day. Once I was home from the hospital, I only needed the pain pills for one day...after that, I took Motrin for a few days....but nothing after that. I too was given Toradol post-op (it is an anti- inflamatory similar to Motrin) and I think that really helped. By week 4 I felt back to normal. I hope all goes well for you! Feel free to e-mail or post me if you have any other questions. Should I be concerned over this incision thing? A while back someone posted about having a vertical incision (by surprise) and I don't remember how her recovery went compared to others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Hi, I had a vertical incision when I had an emergency c-section. This was my first surgery ever. I really do have to agree with the other girls on their post that recovery really wasn't that bad. I had my daughter at 3:12am and by 4pm that day I was up on my feet and walking to the bathroom. I had been on a few days of bedrest prior to my emergency c-section so I would have done anything to get out of bed. My only problems with the surgery was I needed some help the first few days to get out of bed. I could get in and out of a chair fine but pulling yourself up and out of bed was hard. They cut straight through all your muscles. Even once I got home (I to only took motrin for about 2 days) I would have to wake hubby up in the middle of the night to give me a little boost out of bed. It just took some getting used to and learning how to bend correctly. However, all in all it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I am going to meet with my doctor this week to discuss taking my fibroid out ASAP and he already told me after the birth of my daughter he would cut through the same scar as the c-section. Someone once told me the more they do it the easier it is. I'm hoping they are right because the first time wasnt' that bad so this should be even better. One can hope! Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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