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Twinges and pains after laparoscopy
Had laparoscopy about 2.5 weeks ago to remove a 7 cm cyst on my right ovary. The ovary was twisted and "necrotic" but no malignancy, so the surgeon removed cyst, ovary and a piece of Fallopian tube. 3 tiny incisions - left, navel and right - all healed with scabs.
Very few problems: no pain from gas, no need for pain meds after 24 hours. Digestion working fine. I could bend over with no pain. The only thing is I keep getting twinges around my midsection, around the incisions and sometimes in the middle. It's a *much* milder version of the pain I had before surgery, when I could barely walk. Starting yesterday I get an occasional burning twinge right near the incision where they took out the ovary. When I called the NursePractitioner, she said, "If there's no fever, no problem. You might be overdoing a little. It won't do any harm: you'll just feel more pain. And don't go back to yoga or Pilates if you're getting a strong pain."
Does this sound typical? How long before I'm back to zero pain? I was very active - walking and working out - and the enforced rest is challenging, to say the least.
Does anyone know why we're not supposed to lift? The stitches are dissolved (the nurse said) and apparently I can't cause damage. I was told max 10-15 pounds for 4 weeks. I've been trying but I do buy my own groceries and take out my own garbage. I have a very fat cat but can avoid lifting her.
I have seen very little on the Internet about recovering from cyst surgery. Seems to be wide variance. Thanks in advance for any help.
Very few problems: no pain from gas, no need for pain meds after 24 hours. Digestion working fine. I could bend over with no pain. The only thing is I keep getting twinges around my midsection, around the incisions and sometimes in the middle. It's a *much* milder version of the pain I had before surgery, when I could barely walk. Starting yesterday I get an occasional burning twinge right near the incision where they took out the ovary. When I called the NursePractitioner, she said, "If there's no fever, no problem. You might be overdoing a little. It won't do any harm: you'll just feel more pain. And don't go back to yoga or Pilates if you're getting a strong pain."
Does this sound typical? How long before I'm back to zero pain? I was very active - walking and working out - and the enforced rest is challenging, to say the least.
Does anyone know why we're not supposed to lift? The stitches are dissolved (the nurse said) and apparently I can't cause damage. I was told max 10-15 pounds for 4 weeks. I've been trying but I do buy my own groceries and take out my own garbage. I have a very fat cat but can avoid lifting her.
I have seen very little on the Internet about recovering from cyst surgery. Seems to be wide variance. Thanks in advance for any help.
Correction to my last message: Look a few posts down for Hannah889's post-op update. She is only 18 and just had a very, very large cyst removed.
There have been several young women in recent months that had huge cysts. Their ages were 20-23. The cyst sizes were 30 cm, watermelon size, basketball size, etc. Unfortunately, they came to the forum for pre-op reassurances from us, but did not report back after surgery to tell us how they are recovering.
These problems can occur at any age, and no matter what age you are, it is frightening. There are plenty of success stories of women that survived this surgeries, of all ages, but mostly the older ones participate more actively with their stories.
My laparotomy story is in my profile in the "about me" section. I am older than you, but the surgical procedures would be about the same if you end up needing the bigger surgery.
Being young has its advantages. You should heal faster. Certainly you will feel much better once those large cysts are gone. Best wishes to you! I hope you will check back with us after the surgery to let us know how you are doing.
These problems can occur at any age, and no matter what age you are, it is frightening. There are plenty of success stories of women that survived this surgeries, of all ages, but mostly the older ones participate more actively with their stories.
My laparotomy story is in my profile in the "about me" section. I am older than you, but the surgical procedures would be about the same if you end up needing the bigger surgery.
Being young has its advantages. You should heal faster. Certainly you will feel much better once those large cysts are gone. Best wishes to you! I hope you will check back with us after the surgery to let us know how you are doing.
Hi,
My name is Jennifer. I am about to have a laproscopy and possible laporatomy performed on Tuesday. I have two very large cysts one on each of my ovaries and they are both at least 15 cm in size. I am very nervous because I am so young. I am 21. I was wondering if any of you know of any young women with such a case or if anyone here is around my age ? Thank you!
My name is Jennifer. I am about to have a laproscopy and possible laporatomy performed on Tuesday. I have two very large cysts one on each of my ovaries and they are both at least 15 cm in size. I am very nervous because I am so young. I am 21. I was wondering if any of you know of any young women with such a case or if anyone here is around my age ? Thank you!
You are right as usual! I am now at 4.5 weeks and mostly feel great. Just went to the gym for the first time since before surgery. (I had to stop about a week before surgery because the ovary was twisted.) It felt great. I'm going slow but working with machines and elliptical for even 6 minutes felt wonderful.
The only problem was carrying my bag with all the gym stuff and it was heavy! So now I'm getting twinges and small pains again. Nothing serious - more like indigestion. It always goes away after a good night's sleep. Hope I'm not moving things around. They told me not to worry unless there's fever or really bad pain.
My neighbor who's a nurse said you can get a hernia but it's very very rare with laparoscopy. I guess I'd know if I had one.
The only problem was carrying my bag with all the gym stuff and it was heavy! So now I'm getting twinges and small pains again. Nothing serious - more like indigestion. It always goes away after a good night's sleep. Hope I'm not moving things around. They told me not to worry unless there's fever or really bad pain.
My neighbor who's a nurse said you can get a hernia but it's very very rare with laparoscopy. I guess I'd know if I had one.
Wow...that sounds awful! You are right: my incisions are all healed and they are completely sealed up. Whew!!! Thanks for clarifying. Best of luck with this. I hope you get to your surgeon soon.
I can see the stitches. They stick right out, which is horrible as they catch on my clothes. Going to have them taken out tonight.
It does sound like yours have dissolved.
It does sound like yours have dissolved.
Sounds like you had the same kinds of twinges. I am trying not to do anything but I do have to walk the dog and do *some* grocery shopping. I notice when I take naps or sleep more I feel better. I work from home with a laptop on my lap and my feet up!
If my incisions have all healed up and scabbed over, does that mean stitches dissolved and no infection? I sure hope so!
If my incisions have all healed up and scabbed over, does that mean stitches dissolved and no infection? I sure hope so!
I had laparscopic surgery in April for removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes due to a 7cm cyst/tumor and I was very, very lucky....I had a very short recovery. No gas, no real pain but I also got twinges and some odd pains here and there. In fact, every now and then I still get a few but my doctor was not concerned at all. I did have an infection in my "belly button" from the stitches but that cleared up with antibiotics. Sandy said it very well.....they moved things around in there and internal healing may take a bit longer. Hang in there, don't lift (or vacuum...trust me on that one!) and before you know it, you'll be fine. Just give your body the time it needs to heal. I feel better overall than I have in months and you will too. Take care of yourself!
Thank heavens you posted this, as I was about to ask pretty much the same thing! It'll be 3 weeks tomorrow since my surgery and I'm still very sore and swollen, so you're not on your own with this. I thought I'd be up and dancing by now. I'm back at work but I definitely think I've been overdoing it.
My stitches are supposed to be dissolvable but are still there and are very tender. I'm actually going to phone my doctor today to see if I can have them removed.
Hope you feel better soon.
Sally
My stitches are supposed to be dissolvable but are still there and are very tender. I'm actually going to phone my doctor today to see if I can have them removed.
Hope you feel better soon.
Sally
Well, one thing for sure.. we're all different in the recovery process. There are some gals that have taken awhile to feel up to par and the laparotomy , of course, takes longer to heal. But the majority are back to normal 2-3 weeks. Your body will be your guide. And, don't forget; it's not just the stitches... you've had things removed and pushed around...
Wish I hadn't had the stitches (it was only last year) ... but guess it's a Dr. choice kind of thing . They weren't that troublesome though.
You'll be back to normal shortly..you'll know if you're pushing too hard...
Take care,
Sandy
Wish I hadn't had the stitches (it was only last year) ... but guess it's a Dr. choice kind of thing . They weren't that troublesome though.
You'll be back to normal shortly..you'll know if you're pushing too hard...
Take care,
Sandy
Thanks again! No follow-up appointment. Stitches don't have to be removed. They dissolve. I guess that's the new thing.
I did feel less pain when I slowed down and I always feel better after a long nap or sleeping all night. The pains aren't disabling - more annoying, especially since I have no idea what causes them. Phantom limb, as you said? Scar tissue forming?
Just called last week. The nurse said, "You're probably moving around more and that's shaking things up. Stitches would be dissolved by now. No fever? No problem." So I guess a follow-up appointment is not in my future.
Hopefully the final week will be better. Another post on this forum said 5-6 weeks recovery is not unusual. Thanks again!
I did feel less pain when I slowed down and I always feel better after a long nap or sleeping all night. The pains aren't disabling - more annoying, especially since I have no idea what causes them. Phantom limb, as you said? Scar tissue forming?
Just called last week. The nurse said, "You're probably moving around more and that's shaking things up. Stitches would be dissolved by now. No fever? No problem." So I guess a follow-up appointment is not in my future.
Hopefully the final week will be better. Another post on this forum said 5-6 weeks recovery is not unusual. Thanks again!
Yeah, I think that's pretty typical advice.. However, if the pain continues, even if you've slowed down a little, I think it would be worth a call . Do you have another follow up appt? I had one in one week to remove the stitches and another in 2 or 3 weeks (can't remember) .. It would be a good time to bring it up.. I think you'll notice a big difference in the next week for sure . I know it's frustrating to not be as active as you were before. I'm not into any exercising besides walking, but it drove me nuts not to be able to lift anything or vacuum or clean the tub, etc.
I also think some of those twinges are like "Phantom pain" that folks get when a limb is removed and they still have pain. I was told it was the little nerve endings and it takes awhile for the sensations to go away../
Keep us posted and I know you'll feel much better soon..
I also think some of those twinges are like "Phantom pain" that folks get when a limb is removed and they still have pain. I was told it was the little nerve endings and it takes awhile for the sensations to go away../
Keep us posted and I know you'll feel much better soon..
Thanks you! Yes, I did see the 10 Things and it was great. I just figured after 2-3 weeks the pain would be all gone. I may be overdoing things a little, as you say. Is the nurse's advice ("Don't worry if you don't have a fever") pretty typical? I actually got a thermometer and no fever. Could also be stress from the recovery process.
I'll go back to the threads. This is good stuff.
I'll go back to the threads. This is good stuff.
Hi,
Yes, it sounds very typical... and yes , you may be overdoing a little bit. It takes awhile longer to heal internally, even if everything looks great on the outside~~~~even if we feel wonderful. If you go further back on this forum, there's a lot about cyst recovery.. There's a great post "10 Things I learned from my Laparoscopy" or something along those lines that was just bumped to the top a few days ago.. I'll try to bump it up again. And you may try to put "recovery" in the "search this forum"
I've always heard with any abdominal surgery to avoid lifting..It just puts unnecessary strain on everything. Don't forget; it's not just the stitches-- things were cut away and jostled around in there.. Actually, I was told after removal of a small polyp (colonoscopy) not to lift anything. It's just precautionary to prevent any internal bleeding.
Just take it slow for awhile..And check out that thread..it's a informative and humorous post...
Yes, it sounds very typical... and yes , you may be overdoing a little bit. It takes awhile longer to heal internally, even if everything looks great on the outside~~~~even if we feel wonderful. If you go further back on this forum, there's a lot about cyst recovery.. There's a great post "10 Things I learned from my Laparoscopy" or something along those lines that was just bumped to the top a few days ago.. I'll try to bump it up again. And you may try to put "recovery" in the "search this forum"
I've always heard with any abdominal surgery to avoid lifting..It just puts unnecessary strain on everything. Don't forget; it's not just the stitches-- things were cut away and jostled around in there.. Actually, I was told after removal of a small polyp (colonoscopy) not to lift anything. It's just precautionary to prevent any internal bleeding.
Just take it slow for awhile..And check out that thread..it's a informative and humorous post...
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