Post-op drama

[AnnahM]

Congrats and yikes, that's scary stuff to have to deal with! I hope things get better soon.

[Padma]

Still mending, very slowly, but may have another infection (or it might just be another wave of post-op exhaustion).

[KayCeeDee]

How long did it take for the extra hole to heal? I've ripped out some stitches too so I have a nice jelly donut going on

[Padma]

It's just got to the point where it's not deep enough to need packing, so it'll now heal on its own. Meanwhile, another little hole has appeared, but not a deep one. I'm assured that this is totally normal for pelvic surgery, because the area is moving all the time. I'm a lot less sore and more mobile now, but sitting down is still a dodgy business.

[KayCeeDee]

Yikes. Sounds like it's going to take weeks and weeks for this to heal over then   I had one tiny spot that looks like it's healed up, and I'm having to keep the larger one taped over to try to keep it as closed as possible, but that doesn't really work too well.  I'm hoping my doctor will bring a suture kit next time he comes to town on vacation.

[Vicky]

Another friend of mine had the same problem of separation on the suture line, and as the result had to let the wound "heal from the bottom up".  It can cause a little more scarring in the short run, and does make it harder to keep comfortable.  I am thankful I did not have that problem after my surgery, but I have had it happen with other sutured wounds over the years.  It adds time and attention to the wound that you sure as heck do not enjoy, but you will be having the ouchies for some time to come as it is. What else were you going to do with your time anyway?? 

[KayCeeDee]

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I feel bad about tearing up the beautiful job he did, but I really think too much swelling is to blame. It doesn't cause much in the way of discomfort, just a little more blood on the pads. I'll just end up with the "battle damage" model

[mrs izzy]

A tip for anyone is to have some steri strips on hand.

I had 2 pop next to each other, Put a strip on and when it fell off everything was together.

Just a idea.

Isabell

[KayCeeDee]

Thanks, I will pick some up and see if it does a better job.  Part of the problem is the swelling is still so great that it's hard to get the two areas close together. I think it's just going to have to be done a little at a time.

[Padma]

Depends how deep the wound is. If it's deep, not a good idea to let it heal at the top while leaving a gap underneath, because the gap can migrate, and you can end up with what they call "sinuses" running under the flesh, which can become infected. Mine was almost 2cm deep, so it took 3 weeks of packing it to get it to heal up safely.

[Padma]

TMI warning:
Meanwhile... though my extra hole has healed up, I've got a bizarre protuberance which I'm assured is a fat pad, not a prolapse. As I mentioned, for some mysterious reason, while I was in hospital the packing came out, so they had to repack it. But I still ended up with this bulge, which they're going to have to sort out later. Bit of a drag, as it chafes when I walk. Otherwise, everything's healing well.

[KayCeeDee]

Padma, I'm glad to hear you've healed up well.  Mine isn't that deep and I think it looks worse than it is because I use a magnifying makeup mirror to do my cleanup but it sure feels like I have this (unwanted) bonus vagina.  I am a little concerned about the depth of the wound though as i close it up so I'll keep that in mind and keep an eye on it.  I found the wound closure strips are doing a fantastic job keeping it all together and wish I knew about those when it all started coming apart.  The smaller of the holes has healed up nicely using it and I can see progress on the larger one.

[Padma]

Yup, now confirmed I'll need further surgery (3 nights in hospital) to correct my fat pad extrusion. What a drag, I was hoping to be fit and well by the end of the summer. Oh well, at least it's not invasive surgery, compared to the main one - but it'll need packing for a few days, hence the hospital stay. And I'll be so much more comfortable once it's fixed.

[Cindy]

Hugs Hon

[Padma]

Thanks - I've been putting a brave face on this, but with my PTSS it's actually really freaking me out that I'll have to go into hospital again (I'm still recovering from the last visit over a month later) and even the 6 hour journey is daunting. It'll be totally worth it, but I'm not as robust as I'd like to be, and this kind of stuff takes a big hit on me. I've been struggling/working on a daily basis with the fact that dilating is an abuse flashback trigger. Basically, I feel pretty vulnerable at the moment, and can't wait to be more fit and well and able to get out and see friends.

[Padma]

Oh, great. The thing they've been telling me for 2 months was a fat pad is actually a prolapse. I'm back in hospital, due for another op this afternoon to correct this - followed by another fairly long recovery. Still, I'll be way more comfortable after I've recovered from this op, and I'll apparently have more depth too (not that I care about that).

[Nicolette]

Sht! I hope you recover quickly after all of this protracted drama.

[Padma]

Thanks. I'd just like to be able to walk normally again .

[Jenna Marie]

Yikes!! This really is a drama. I hope it's all over soon; you must be sick of the ongoing issues by now. Good thoughts for you...

[suzifrommd]

Sending good thoughts your way, Padma. You don't deserve this. Hang in there.