After surgery

Hi Deborino, I know everyone is different in this respect but i did use panty liners for a bit after my hysterectomy as I did get the odd little bit of bleeding, some had a bleed the odd time after surgery from where the internal stitches are, and obviously any major bleeding is something they ask you to keep an eye on. When is your surgery being done? as there is a thread i am not sure if you have seen https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/womb-cancer-forum/f/womb-cancer-forum/217904/what-to-take-in-my-overnight-bag there is also a few helpful tips on what to take with you on the day of surgery, items get added all the time when people who have gone through it add anything they took it all helps. I am pretty sure the helpful ladies will add their experiences too, one thing i can say is it wasn’t as bad as I expected mine was part keyhole part abdominal as i had all my hysterectomy tissue took out in a little baggy as my consultant put it. Because i had a bulky womb partly because of the tumour but also the fibroids i had too. I had an incision down from my belly button and a couple of small cuts either side lower down where the instruments went in and i am happy to say my scar looks great it was a good clean cut and healed well, the internal healing did take a number of months to fully heal and you will feel bloated after surgery and the wind pain can be tricky i used movicol to get things started and peppermint teas are gentle on the bowel and refreshing too it all helps, I know some drank prune juice as well to help in that respect. I know the first time I stood up after surgery which was the next morning for me I felt drunk everything was spinning but that soon eased but i warn you as some were sick because of this, and have a pillow or cushion to put between you and the seat belt when your taken home as this protects your abdomen from the seat belt and carrying that does help. Some also carried a small towel to hold against the abdomen when they coughed again it just helps protect everything. Some of the best advice i was given was try not to bend, lift or stretch too soon after surgery and it’s easier said then done, I did forget myself and throw an internal stitch and it sounded like a rubber bend snapping and pretty uncomfortable too. You do get fatigued and you will need to rest up so it’s great if someone to look after you too. If your alone batch cooking and freezing meals help so that all you need to do is pop it in the microwave and it helps deal with the fatigue afterward. If there is anything else just ask as I know the helpful ladies will help as best they can.

sending you a gentle bear hug  

Hi Deborino,

At least you know the difference between them all!!! When I last had to buy sanitary pads there wasn't such choice, and I just grabbed the first packet I saw. They were very thick and totally unsuitable. I could hardly walk in them!! I only bled slightly for about a week, and got some thinner pads, which were more than panty liners. I had keyhole surgery which was marvellous. 2 tiny marks where the ovaries were, and one just above my groin. They also went in through the belly button which was covered in iodine. 4 years later I can barely see the three marks.

I had trouble with my bladder afterwards. It refused to empty (they scan you to check this), and I was kept in 2 days because of this. I had no feeling at all so had no idea when I needed the loo. I went by time!! A kind nurse told me to lift up one leg with my arms then the other and that helped. Most ladies on here didn't seem to have a problem, and maybe it was my age (72 at the time).It all settled with time.

You need to get your bowels moving, so I took Movical on Day 2. My husband was told never to go more than 3 days without a movement, so I was forewarned! Movical softens the stools, so made it easier. I only took the one sachet, then was OK.The hospital gave me Senekot, but that gives me horrendous pains, so I never took it!! 

Good luck xxx

Morning Deborino, I had keyhole surgery and didn’t bleed at all afterwards! So we are all different and it may depend on how skilful the surgeon is, and what exactly he has to do. I will say however, that about two or so weeks after surgery, can’t remember exactly now, I did have a gush of blood when I went to the loo. A panicked call to my CNS and was reassured when she said it was the internal stitches dissolving, it only happened the once, no further problems.

Have they told you if they will put a catheter in during the op? That was the thing I was scared about, but actually I didn’t realise it was in until the surgeon came to see me the next morning and said it could come out! And it didn’t hurt at all when they slid it out. I was up and sitting in a chair and walking to the loo unaided the morning after my op but had to stay 2 nights to ensure my bowels were working. As Nannyanny said, don’t let yourself get constipated. I took Sennacott on and off for a few weeks afterwards. Also, take it very easy for the first few weeks, if you try to rush your recovery it may well take longer! Good luck! 

Hi Deborino. Like NannyAnny in my day there wasn't a lot of choice!! I also hadn't used ST's for years! I bought a pack (Which also made me waddle) and just used panty liners when I got home. I hardly bled at all. Some ladies had a little gush of blood , which can be frightening, but it proved to be stitches dissolving so it's important to take things really easy to start with.

I was advised to start using Dulcoease for a couple of days before the op and was given Movicol after. I still suffered with trapped wind and constipation for a couple of days, a normal side effect of General Anaesthetics.

Big hugs, Barb xx 

Hi Deborino I had both keyhole and abdominal surgery and had a fair amount of bleeding in the first few days which gradually tailed off after two or three weeks to more of a discharge before it finally stopped.  I would get a couple of different types of pads just to be on the safe side, you might be lucky like lots of ladies seem to be who don't get much or any bleeding! 

Hope all goes well for you.

Hugs, Lesley x