I had the surgery 3 days ago, so obviously it'll be a while. But my surgeon says to sit on towels and apply pressure for 8 weeks as often as possible throughout the day. Is this overdoing it? She said no sexual acts at all for that long too. I had a laser procedure. I've read another doc's site that does the same procedure (laser) and he put no sex for 4-6 weeks and had nothing about sitting on towels, so this is why I'm wondering what to expect in the upcoming weeks. I know it's important to follow my instructions...I just want to hear about anyone else's experiences. There's not much else I can do but mess around on the computer lately! Thanks in advance for sharing!

I had the surgery done 5 days ago and I held ice packs on it for 3 days and am still cleaning with bentadine and water mixed every time I use the bathroom and put neosporin and arnica cream on it and most of my swelling is gone and I am back to my normal activites. I am still being really carefull and definately no sex for a while but I am healing a lot faster than I expected. My doctor never said anything about sitting on towels though.

It sounds like you're healing just fine without the towels. I'm also supposed to be wearing 2, yes 2 girdles at the same time, with 2 pads one on top of another in them. For 8 weeks. I'm not doing that, but I did wear the pads until a few days ago and I'm sitting on the rolled towels to apply pressure at home. I was also instructed to take a gauze and press directly on the area with my hand which can actually be pretty effective. Especially on areas that seem kindof tough like maybe it's scar tissue developing. Could you share what your timeline is as far as bathing, sex, swimming... I had to just bathe with a rag(no shower or bath) for 10 days, then no toilet paper--just sterile gauze for 12 days. Now I'm waiting to be able to take a bath!! (Can't wait) I can do that and swim at 6 wks. And no sex for 8 wks. I ask b/c most other docs. say that you can have sex at 6 wks. I'm sure you can't tell yet how long it'll be before your stitches dissolve, but I still have at least two spots where there are stitches. I think they are b/c every now and then I'll feel a stick in those spots. It's been a while.....anyone know about dissolveable stitches I'd like to hear from you. Is it normal for them still to be there after 4 1/2 wks.? Good luck with the rest of your healing happy. You might find you'll swell periodically, but if it's possible you might try the rolled towels. Just fold one in half (long ways) and roll it up until it's like a small round throw pillow. Then stick it vertically on your chair(preferably a harder one) and sit on it. It may hurt at first, but it really does work. Take care

I have been wiping with toilet paper since day 1, rinsing and applying meds that I mentioned earlier and wearing a very thin pantyliner. I have taken a warm shower every day. I was told to wait 3 weeks before swimming and that warm baths were good after two days and no sex for 8 weeks. I am happy to say that it is now six days after my surgery, almost all my swelling is gone, i am at work right now and wearing jeans and the only thing I am taking is ibuprofen for pain. I dont know if this is common but I am healing really fast! The main thing I have made sure to do is rinse and apply meds EVERY time I use the bathroom without fail.... and its working for me!! I cant believe your doc told you not to shower.. that seems a little too precautious for me!!

wow! Your instructions were so different. Did you have the laser procedure? I am just days away from my period and was thinking I'd just wait til that passed and bathe(in the tub) after. My periods only last 3-4 days, so I'll be about 5--5 1/2 wks. post-surgery. I think my doc was considering germs from my body getting into the wound while in the tub....who knows. I'm really missing my baths and I made it through!! Just 1 more week! The pads were annoying, but actually helped by keeping something against the skin. When it rubbed or pulled away from the skin it was really uncomfy! I'm doing a pantyliner now, though. Thanks for chatting about this. I like being able to compare stories with someone who's actually going through it too. The ONLY other person who knows about my surgery is my husband! So I really appreciate it.

Yes, our instructions are VERY different, mine are way easier!! LOL. I did have complications the first day about two hours after my surgery and ended up in the hospital over night, but I have not had any problems since. No I didn't have the laser surgery. Mine was done with a scalpel, and then the veins were cauterized, but I'm pretty sure the results are the same once it is finished. They are just two different forms of cutting. The laser reduces the amount of bleeding during the procedure. Are your incisions still spotting? I would think that after 5 weeks, your incisions would be healed. As long as you don’t have any open wounds then you shouldn’t have to worry about infection anymore. If I were you I would go ahead and take a bath because you should be healed externally by now. The reason the doctors tell you to wait 8 weeks before sex is because you are still healing internally. I am dreading my period because I have always worn tampons and my doc told me not to wear them for 8 weeks because he doesn't want any friction in that area. I don’t know anyone else that has had the surgery either and only a few people know that I got it done so it is nice to talk to you about it also.

I just wanted to write in case I made it sound like I'm still bathing with a rag....not the case! I can shower! But you're right. It should be fine by now to take a bath. I was actually spotting from the incisions a few days ago. It just happened out of the blue and only lasted about 3-4 days. So I've been ok with waiting a little longer. I don't know if you've prepared for the itching, but a tube of itch reliever was a life saver for a few nights! If you don't have some you may want to get some to have on-hand.

No, I knew that you wern't still bathing with a rag! LOL I just cant believe that you had to do that for ten days!! I'm glad my doc didnt tell me to do that!! That is up to you on the bath thing... I would do it, but if you are still spotting I would not try to swim in a pool or lake or anything because of clorine and bacteria.

oh gosh!!!! I am not looking forward to the itching at all.... I asked my doc about it and he told me to just put neosporin on it and it will help with the itching, but I'm not so sure about that! I already have slight itching but I cant scratch at all because its still very sensitive to the touch. I imagine the itching will only get worse... What did you use to stop it?

I just used a generic hydrocortisone cream. I only needed it 3 nights. During the day the pressure my doc instructed me to apply helped. But I'm sure the cream would be just as effective in the daytime, I just don't like the feeling all the time. The itching was really only unbearable for me at night though.

I didn't do any of that...just neosporin for a few weeks and no tub bathing. Showers were OK. That and loose clothing. It may depend upon what operation you had though. I had a modified excision..at least that is what Dr D calls it...a wedge cut of sorts. No scar is visible and no loss of feeling. Very little pain. I swelled for a week or so though.
-Jenny

It's 6 wks. since my surgery. I think I'm completely healed now. The first 2 weeks were the hardest. After that I just monitored things and healed faster than some I believe. I was able to cut short most of the instructions the doc gave me. I actually had sex last night--I'd been having oral sex with my husband for 3 weeks--everything's fine. I'm not swelling. It was tender at first, but we just used some lubrication and I adjusted to him. I didn't have the wedge method. I had the laser procedure where she just trimmed off the excess skin and the skin is fine. I don't see any scars, no rough edges, am able to orgasm(still plenty of feeling). I'm so happy with my decision. I am actually happy naked and not self-conscious or uncomfortable!!

wow! Your instructions were so different. Did you have the laser procedure? I am just days away from my period and was thinking I'd just wait til that passed and bathe(in the tub) after. My periods only last 3-4 days, so I'll be about 5--5 1/2 wks. post-surgery. I think my doc was considering germs from my body getting into the wound while in the tub....who knows. I'm really missing my baths and I made it through!! Just 1 more week! The pads were annoying, but actually helped by keeping something against the skin. When it rubbed or pulled away from the skin it was really uncomfy! I'm doing a pantyliner now, though. Thanks for chatting about this. I like being able to compare stories with someone who's actually going through it too. The ONLY other person who knows about my surgery is my husband! So I really appreciate it.

I'm currently 4 weeks post surgery and hate my outcome. May I ask who your
Surgeon was????

Sure, I used Dr. Pamela Loftus in Boca Raton, FL. Sorry about your results.....are you sure you're done healing?

I had this surgery done over 2 years ago and I love how it has turned out, although it was very painful the first week. I had some complications the day of the surgery also and ended up back in, but all is well now. Try ARNICA for the swelling, it worked wonders! You can buy the little pills (they taste like candy) and there is a gel. It was amazing how well it worked.