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Hi, so I'm 16 days post-op and I can barely stand for more than 10minutes or walk for more than 20minutes without screaming in pain inside.

Is this normal? How long will it take before I can walk/stand normally... its a bit unnerving for me.

I'm 14 days postop and I know what you mean. It's not fun.
I do think it's normal, though. No idea how long it lasts.

I think it's really variable as per individual. 13 days post op I could walk with almost no pain. The only pain would be when the inner labia rubbing with my underwear.

Each of us is a bit different, and this will vary a lot between patients.  My major pain issues lasted about 5 weeks, but the problems shifted around a bit.  For a while, it was the area where I had been shaved around the labia.  That turned out to be a yeast infection that my gynecologist found when my surgeon had asked her to check for granulation.  No granulation to speak of, but the yeast thing was pretty awful until it had been treated.  If this is skin related, and not muscle, you might want to continue ice packs while you are laying down for a few more days since it will involve some swelling.  My biggest relief came when the last of the sutures fell out at around 4 weeks, although 1 suture near my labia minora waited until week 7.  (I kept hitting it with my dilator on the way in.).  If this is a burning type of pain, I would call and have it looked at by a doctor in case it is an infection which the best of us get.  A gynecologist would be the best bet, and give the gyno a release to talk to your surgeon, and vice versa.

I am starting to think I am crazy for still looking forward to it next year after all of these replies. They will think I am nuts for smiling while in agony!  ;D I do thank you all for the heads up and I am learning a LOT from you. Thanks for sharing your experiences.  :)

Remember you have also been spread legged in stirrups for hours and there is often some (reversible) nerve damage from that.

I was very swollen and sore walking was not good at 2wks and standing for a period of time not good either but it does get better slowly x

I think my pain is more of a tightness around my pelvic to butt area... it just makes me feel so disabled :(

Me was more sitting over walking.

But yes things are pulled tight in that area and do take time to heal and settle down.

As said everyone is different in how there bodies respond. I was using ice up to 2 months off and on more for soreness.

Hate to say this but its just going to take time and you have to understand your limits as you progress.

I wish you well. Hugs

Isabell

One tip, for the first few months ware panties that are 1 size larger then normal.

Izzy

Quote from: mind is quiet now on June 26, 2014, 07:24:12 AM
One tip, for the first few months ware panties that are 1 size larger then normal.

Izzy

or none providing your not leaking and have to use a towel.


xxx

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on June 26, 2014, 02:43:20 AM
I am starting to think I am crazy for still looking forward to it next year after all of these replies. They will think I am nuts for smiling while in agony!  ;D I do thank you all for the heads up and I am learning a LOT from you. Thanks for sharing your experiences.  :)

I'm starting to think I'm crazy to be still looking forward to it in less than 2 months. Seriously, apart from EB who seems to be recovering really quickly, I don't think I have seen anyone here report on a problem free recovery, no matter who the surgeon.
I'm nowhere near calling it off but I must admit to being more and more apprehensive as I need to get back working (from home at first) very quickly.
No matter, like Jessica, I really appreciate all the inputs which help me prepare this major step under no illusions about what I'm getting myself into and thank all of you who take the time to share your experience.
Best regards.
Donna

I'm just beginning my journey and this scares the crap out of me, but I can't stand my equipment. Its going to have to go at some point.

Quote from: Donna E on June 26, 2014, 01:11:38 PM
I'm starting to think I'm crazy to be still looking forward to it in less than 2 months. Seriously, apart from EB who seems to be recovering really quickly, I don't think I have seen anyone here report on a problem free recovery, no matter who the surgeon.
I'm no where near calling it off but I must admit to being more and more apprehensive as I need to get back working (from home at first) very quickly.
No matter, like Jessica, I really appreciate all the inputs which help me prepare this major step under no illusions about what I'm getting myself into and thank all of you who take the time to share your experience.
Best regards.
Donna

Those more in pain scream the loudest. I could have screamed I feel grrrrreeeeaaaaat! In my head I did.

What problems did I have? I had an allergic reaction on my back, something to do with a sheet I laid on. I had a small infection along an incision, two weeks post-op, which cleared within a few days of antibiotics. I don't know what a post-op uti is like or what a granulation is. However, sitting was difficult in the first two weeks. Walking was also tiring.

Anyway, I was sightseeing on day 10 with my mum. On day 12 I was back on the plane, for a 7 hour trip, and didn't need any more cushioning than what the bare seat provided. We all heal and react differently. Make sure you're in optimal health. Eat healthy and do lots of cardio to get your stamina up in the months leading up to the op. That, with a bit of luck sprinkled on top, worked for me.

Quote from: Nicolette on June 26, 2014, 01:36:32 PM
I had an allergic reaction on my back, something to do with a sheet I laid on.

omg I thought I was the only one who got that. It had something to do with that thing they put on your back day 1 post op so you cannot feel any pain but when that effect omg better get prepared the 2nd and 3rd day was the worst for me but got better the 4th and downwards. Yeah with that thing I got rashes on the back.

I was scratching like there was no tomorrow. The scratching was pleasure comparable to an orgasm.  :laugh: I wanted to rip off my back. I've no idea what they put on my back, but I did have a spinal injection. I don't know if it was that. Hydrocortisone cream finally calmed the rash. They took me off antibiotics just in case, hence the subsequent infection.

Quote from: Nicolette on June 26, 2014, 07:08:07 PM
I was scratching like there was no tomorrow. The scratching was pleasure comparable to an orgasm.  :laugh: I wanted to rip off my back. I've no idea what they put on my back, but I did have a spinal injection. I don't know if it was that. Hydrocortisone cream finally calmed the rash. They took me off antibiotics just in case, hence the subsequent infection.

I dunno if what's they call the epidermal block. Yeah mine scratch as hell too and my skin on that part has become rough was an elephant, you too?

To be honest,  I only had pain a couple of times that was an issue.  1st time was second time  awoke from surgery as the first was more of a haze of a memory.  EB you were fortunate you had the epidural block as they didn't want do it on me because of multiple health issues, but they were prepared however I wasn't when I awoke Omg was that something.  But Sri was very quick with the demoral concoction that the anesthesiologist he prepared for me, now of course I had other pains to as I had been of my regular meds for 14 hour, so that was kinda a special situation.  The next couple times was the beginning of dilation.  But otherwise I was OK, of course it did help I brought more powerful drugs than Dr Chettawut supplied lol,   kinda believe it's a ymmv sorta thing, and solely depends on your pain thresholds.

Quote from: Donna E on June 26, 2014, 01:11:38 PM
I'm starting to think I'm crazy to be still looking forward to it in less than 2 months. Seriously, apart from EB who seems to be recovering really quickly, I don't think I have seen anyone here report on a problem free recovery, no matter who the surgeon.
I'm nowhere near calling it off but I must admit to being more and more apprehensive as I need to get back working (from home at first) very quickly.
No matter, like Jessica, I really appreciate all the inputs which help me prepare this major step under no illusions about what I'm getting myself into and thank all of you who take the time to share your experience.
Best regards.
Donna

Don't rush back to work if you can help it. It's hard to tell how you will handle it - after a month you start to feel generally ok (in my experience anyway) but you have very little energy reserve and it's very easy to overdo things and then you start hurting more and probably delay healing.

I had to start working after 5 weeks (I was out of money) and while I felt confident that I was ok going into it the first few weeks caused a lot more pain  from the extra exertion and I wish I'd waited a bit longer.

Quote from: divineintervention on June 26, 2014, 06:48:45 AM
I think my pain is more of a tightness around my pelvic to butt area... it just makes me feel so disabled :(

When the sutures have dissolved and fallen off this will clear up!!  The ones I had in that area were monsters!!

Quote from: mind is quiet now on June 26, 2014, 07:24:12 AM
One tip, for the first few months ware panties that are 1 size larger then normal.

Izzy

ABSOLUTELY  ---

Tomorrow I will be 6 weeks post op.
I had pain walking, standing or sitting for that matter while I was in recovery house. I tried to take care of it with ice, along with the normal dose of Tylenol and on occasional something a little stronger. By the time I left Montreal I was able to walk short distances without too much pain, more a constant discomfort.

For the first couple weeks home I took it pretty easy, not much walking at all. Lots of ice and rest. Over the last few weeks things have gotten better each week. Yesterday I mowed the yard (with a self propelled mower) for the third time; I was super tired last night but no pain.

Really I feel my recovery has been good. Constant discomfort but really not much pain. I did continue to take Tyenol at the same intervals as at the recovery house until last week though.

Things will get better each week, look forward to small changes each week, but changes for the better. I am still looking forward to when the rest of the sutures come out, and the remaining swelling goes down.

Quote from: Donna E on June 26, 2014, 01:11:38 PM
I'm starting to think I'm crazy to be still looking forward to it in less than 2 months. Seriously, apart from EB who seems to be recovering really quickly, I don't think I have seen anyone here report on a problem free recovery, no matter who the surgeon.
I'm nowhere near calling it off but I must admit to being more and more apprehensive as I need to get back working (from home at first) very quickly.
No matter, like Jessica, I really appreciate all the inputs which help me prepare this major step under no illusions about what I'm getting myself into and thank all of you who take the time to share your experience.
Best regards.
Donna

The rate of minor complications is quite high. I counted on it. I have extensive granulation. I'm getting it taken care of sooner and later.