Wellness

[Mayflowers]

I'm five days post-op and feeling pretty well. I ended up doing so well in the hospital, they released me the same day. I did have nausea and vomiting the following day, which hurt my stomach so much. Thank goodness I was able to get that under control fast.  My only complaint is if I cough, sneeze or get up a certain way, it feels like I am being stabbed one one side. The pain does not linger, but I was not prepared for how much those things could hurt.  I'm wondering if that is normal and how soon that goes away.  I am already tired of sitting still.  I cannot wait to get back to my old life. 

[Kachina624]

@Mayflowers    I've had abdominal surgery a couple of times and long ago concluded that every muscle in your body crosses your abdomen.  Any movement hurts like heck after surgery. 

Best of luck for a continued successful recovery. 

[RedTop]

@Mayflowers 

All certainly sounds normal.  Keep walking, and in another 4-5 days you will feel even better than you do now!   Best wishes!

[LizzieInSRQ]

@Mayflowers I'm so glad you got through your surgery without complucations.. I hope you feel better exponentially every day forth! 

[D Kay]

Just about every movement we make involves also using our stomach muscles.  Sitting still for prolonged periods of time isn't going to help your recovery.   Try to move around on a regular basis and it will become easier.

[MarieIG]

Yes, the pain when coughing is (unfortunately) oh so normal.  Feeling a sneeze coming on was no fun, and I would try to brace myself and grab my abdomen.  

It will decrease, but it took a while with me.  It probably took me about six - eight weeks to feel pretty decent (but I had a lot of adhesions from prior surgeries; and my surgery took more than twice the expected time). 

You WILL feel better.

[viva923]

I had a abdominal hysterectomy in 1983 it hurt like heck to move, sneeze,cough. i was given a hard pillow to hold my stomach area for 7 days. it helped.

they have come a long way since 1983. hope you heal and the pain subsides soon.

[LillyandHobo]

Hi I've had abdominal surgery 4 times and I found holding a pillow tight across my stomach helped the feeling during coughinh, sneezing, laughing, etc. My doctor recommended it. Obviously I am not privy to your condition but you can always check with your dr and see if this would be helpful for you. (you kinda cuddle a pillow over your tummy while sitting or standing and put pressure on the pillow) good luck with your healing! Blessings

[Mayflowers]

I finally got smart and ordered an abdominal binder. It helps to hold everything in. I had read that would be helpful but I didn't realize the extent to how much it would hurt to make certain movements.  

[Terrywu]

Glad everything went well with your surgery.  After two surgeries that caused vomiting and nausea afterward,  I have told the anesthesiologist before hand that I would rather have the pain from the surgery than severe nausea.  Any surgery after that I was fine,they applied a patch similar to what relieves seasickness .