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dgrace18
04-29-2003, 01:52 PM
For people that have had a laparotomy surgery (very different from a laparoscopy) how long did it take for the pain from your incision to go away? The numbness has been gone for a while around my incision, but I wish it was still here because now it hurts. I had the surgery in November and I thought I should be healed by now.

Anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Destiny

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j27
05-01-2003, 05:43 AM
Hey Destiny- remember me!? You first responded to my ? about laparotomies! Well, it's been a little over 2 months since mine, and I am still numb around my incision- but I do still feel the pain just inside my scar area- I can even feel a little hard knot-that's really sensitive, my dr told me that this is where they sewed me up inside- just over the muscle- on the fascia, and that it may always be a bit sensitive, (it actually feels like a pulling, or stabbing stretch feeling" something "aggravated" by the fact that I don't have a whole lotta fat, she said, so apparantly I feel it more. She said to give it several months (!!) but that there are numbing injections they can do- in office- that will alleviate any pain from hard scar tissue, little knots (where stitches were-like mine)or whatever it is if it still bothers me. So, ask your dr about these injections-but anyways, she told me it could take several months until things are totally healed and internal swelling is all gone. It's a long healing proccess, more than we realize I guess, huh? But, I hope your surgery was successful, I'm confident that mine has helped a lot. Heat helps for me, also I get really good relief from a couple drops of peppermint oil (mixed with Vitamin E oil or another "carrier") rubbed all along that area. It cools and then warms- lasts quite a while. I am also trying to do a lot of stretches and yoga (even though it hurts kinda) and ab and back strengthening excersises- which I know will help a lot with everything when I finally build back some good muscle. The dr said that this is safe, I won't tear anything or anything crazy like that! I hope this helps? You have my email still, I think, write me if you want. :) Take care! -juli

dgrace18
05-01-2003, 09:56 AM
Hi Juli!

I'm so glad to hear your surgery went well. I know it is a very long recovery time from this surgery, I guess I am just getting anxious :-)

It still hurts when I use my stomach muscles for sitting up or anything like that, but not too bad. I'm sure it will go away in time, I'm just ready for it to go away now!! lol

I've thought about starting yoga too. Especially now because my dr said I will have to have another laparoscopy to remove adhesions that have grown since my surgery, and maybe all the stretching will do some good.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear you are doing well. :-)

Destiny

j27
05-04-2003, 01:09 AM
Hey Destiny, Stretching has definitely helped me- I just sometimes have to force myself to do it! I was at the point too, where I was like, "allright, it's been 2 and a half yrs, I finally had surgery, shouldn't it be all better NOW??!!" :) I started stretching and doing yoga before bed for about half an hour, then I added light weights and a few movements and repititions. It has helped me sleep better at night and I feel so much better in the morning- that's when my pain is usually worse. I had a lot of trouble getting motivated to do them at first, but after a couple of weeks of forcing myself to I noticed such a big difference, that now I do them morning and night, even for an hour at a time, if I can, I have seen a huge improvment. Sorry you've gotta go thru another surgery- but it sounds like they're narrowing down on the problem finally- that's good! If you've got some time- start the yoga and some excercises prior to your laparoscopy- just keep at them- increasing, even if you feel some pain and bad stretchy feelings- my dr assured me I can't hurt anything- and you're even further along than I- so just try to tell yourself that recovery will be sooo much easier if you get some muscle tone and dexterity first! Even when I'm hurting, it's raining and I'm exhausted I make myself do my routine- even longer- because I know I'll feel better the next day! Try it out- I hope it helps! Oh- how long til all your numbness went away? Just curious... is it still numb at all? Sometimes I wonder if mine will ever be "normal" again- she had to cut thru my ab muscle- to remove one of the 18 tumors!! My rt thigh and incision are both still pretty numb- I can feel a little bit of pressure but not hot or cold. Anyways, good luck! I know you'll be better soon- just keep believing and know it does takes a very long time- I have the patience of a saint with everyone but myself!!- but I'm trying! Just use your willpower to push thru. Take care! -juli





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