Who Wants to See Photos?

Yes, I have been taking photos of my incision since day four.

They're not as gory as I thought they would be. And for those of you checking out this diary as you prepare for this sort of surgery or perhaps something similar, you might be comforted to see it. I was afraid of a row of staples with a big swollen area or something. It's really not like that. Just a little dark red line - rather like a happy face at the bottom of my belly.

So, here they are (I'm not posting them directly here in case anyone is squeamish, so you'll have to do some clicking - I made them big enough, I think so that you can see some detail.)

Day Four - august09a.jpg - there's a black bruise right above the center of the incision, which I imagine is where they had a clamp or retractor. And there are bruises up the to my hips, which I also guess are from retractors or something. The little lines on my legs are from where the tape on the dressing irritated my legs.

Day Five - august10a.jpg - this photo isn't as good as the rest, I didn't quite get the light right. But you can see the bruises developing ahd black thing above the incision is still pretty visible. My belly was really big that day, probably causing lighting problems!

Day Six - august11a.jpg - there's a huge bruise developing on my hip that shows up well here. But the incision is not as tender as before, simply numb for the most part. A tender spot has also developed halfway between my bellybutton and the incision about two or three inches across. It's like a bruise but there's nothing there.

Day Seven - august12b.jpg - the black bruise at the top of the incision is fading now but the surgitape is also kind getting dog-eared and coming up at the edges.

Day Eight - august13a.jpg - the bruises are almost all gone on my right side and the big one on my left hip isn't nearly as tender anymore. I think my waist is getting smaller and the swelling in my belly during the day isn't nearly as bad as week one.

Day Nine - august14a.jpg - bruising is going away & my hair is growing back. The incision itself is a little lumpy to the touch, a half in ridge at the top of the incision along its entire length, but the bottom doesn't feel like that at all.

Day Ten - august15a.jpg - the itching is bothersome but nothing seems red or swollen so I figure it's all part of the process

Day Eleven - august16a.jpg - the black bruise at the top is almost completely disappeared and the itching is starting to subside.

Posted by Elizabeth M. on August 17, 2004 9:18 PM

Hi ElizabethI have been reading your blog with great interest. I have a single large 10cm fibroid and absolutely no symptoms except the ever present urge to pee. I do not want a hysterectomy and am opting for a myomectomy. My husband I are pretty certain we do not want children, but at 38 I still want to leave the option open. My surgical options are to take Lupron to shrink the fiborid with the hope of having a laparascopic procedure, or skip Lupron and have a traditional abodominal myomectomy. Reading all the posts on other websites has made me very nervous about Lupron, although the fast recovery time from a laparascopic procedure is appealing. I am extremely healthy, athletic, and have a pretty intense career. From what I gather you too are very healthy, so I have been especially interested to hear how fast you recover from your hysterectomy. It sounds like things are going pretty well for you and that is very encouraging. I have never been hospitalized (I haven't even had a cold in three years, no kidding.); I think the thought of anasthesia, needles, catheters, etc is more scary than the actual fibroid removal. I really appreciated your detailed notes about pre-op and the hospital stay and even your incision photos; afterall it is mostly the unknow that we all fear most. I hope your recovery continues to zip along and I'll look forward to more of those "exciting day" posts!Another Elizabeth

1. Posted by Anonymous on August 18, 2004

Thanks for your note Elizabeth.I'm glad someone's reading. I'm trying to document the stuff that I'd wanna know.I think being fit has made a huge difference in my recovery rate. I've been taking it easy because that's what the doctor said, but I know after tomorrow's appointment she's going to be pleased and allow me to do more stuff. (I'm planning on race-walking the LA Marathon next March.)I'm so glad myomectomy is a more available option now. I think it's definitely the way to go to preserve fertility and for those women with fibroids that are easier to remove. The pain really isn't as bad as I thought. At the moment it's the itching that's driving me nuts. I have a friend who went the lupron/laproscopic route and it worked fine for her. She did it at age 40 and though she never had kids, she's going through a perfectly natural menopause now at 52. I know that my hormones have been so messed up since I was a teen that I didn't want to mess around with them any more than I had to. I have another friend who had small fibroids (the ones on stalks) and had those done laproscopically withouth any lupron and she hasn't been trouble by any additional ones since.The biggest advice I would give to women is to pay attention to these things from day one. If I'd just gone to the doctor regularly I probably would have had a laproscopic myomectomy five years ago and never would have been put in the position of sacraficing my uterus for my general abdominal health. Sometimes I have to learn these things the hard way.
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TITLE: Who Wants to See Photos?
AUTHOR: Elizabeth M.
DATE: 8/16/2004 05:21:30 PM

2. Posted by Elizabeth M. on August 18, 2004

I was so glad to see another's surgery scar. I guess we women all basically look the same and go through the same types of surgery. I have just had a hysterectomy. I was supposed to initially have a myomectomy, but during surgery, I started to hemmorage and the doctor had to remove my uterus. I was at first pregnant, at age 45, had a miscarriage after six weeks, and the very large fibroid tumors were located and I was told they had to come out. It was hard to come to the realization that at age 45, I was too old for childbirth. The doctor told me I would never be able to bear a child. I have never given birth, by the way. But, I requested a myomectomy at first, but kind of knew that the doctor would end up performing a hysterectomy. He had no choice, when I started to hemmorage. Anyway, I was so glad to see your scar with the tape on it, just like mine. I feel better now.

3. Posted by connie on February 24, 2006

Just wanted to say thanks for your site. I just had a TAH on June 27. I know its been a few years since you had yours but I was googling and came across this. It feels great to know what's normal!!

4. Posted by Karen on July 4, 2007

Thanks for posting your pics. I'm curious if anyone else is having the "swelly belly"? I'm going on my 4th week post-op and am still swolen. At least 2 in. bigger and have seen no improvement. Just curious how long this will last! Your pics don't look like you are swolen. I look 3 mths pregnant - at least! Thanks in advance for your feedback!

5. Posted by Amber on July 14, 2007

Thank you for sharing with those of us who are about to enter into the club. I had a dermoid cyst removed along with my right ovary and tube in June and have now found out that I need to have the TAH. I am concerned this surgery will be worse and where they will make the incision this time. The last one looked like yours. I hope all do well. It always seems worse waiting for the surgery than the actual surgery and recovery. Thanks to all who share the stories and well wishes.

6. Posted by Patti on October 18, 2007

I just myomectomy one week ago. I look like I am pregnant now. My scar looks just like the pic and everyone comments. I am unhappy about the swollen belly. Other than that, I am fine and ready to see my first period.

Resting and relaxing is driving me up the wall lol.

7. Posted by Donna on March 6, 2008

Hi, I am so glad you posted those photos. You are putting ease to my crazy mind. Im 26, i have a massive fiberoid oustide my uterus. Its 11.4 by 9.5 by 9.5. HUGE! I have a flat stomach but my lower abdomen is sticking out so badly that it looks like im a three months prego lately. Situps make it worse! It is noticable especially when i lay down. I am fit (i work out daily and dance/compete). I have tried everything....for about a year now in hopes to avoid surgery. We have been trying to get pregnant and doctors say this is not going to affect or interfere but we've been unsuccessful for about 1.5 years now. I dont believe that this isnt the cause. I am otherwise healthy and so is the hubby. Ive tried the natropath, the acupuncture, the chinese medicine, the neprinol, life coaches....you name it! Ive spent so much money and time...i can't do it anymore...im giving in! I just dont want to ruin my body...so scared about being dependant on someone for a few days.....and in the hospital...never been?!?!?!? And to not be able to excersice? What the heck am I supposed to do with my time, that is my lively hood! What is the exact recovery time for a fit person? I can't imagine not being able to pee on my own. It kind of disgusts me....im not old nor am i a baby! Ive been crying all day trying to come to grips with this. Its tough! If anyone has any sucess stories or ways to get rid of the scarring...please please pass on this information. I would very much appreciate it. Thanks!

8. Posted by Selena Chiavatti on July 7, 2008

HI,IM GLAD I CAME ACCROSS YOUR WEB PAGE!I AM GOING IN FOR MY SURGERY THIS THURSDAY AUG 21ST AND HAVE SO MANY UNKNOWNS..I FOUND A GREAT WEBISTE TO HELP BUT WAS GLAD TO SEE YOUR PHOTOS,I ONLY HOPE MINE LOOKS HALF AS GOOD! BEST OF LUCK TO YOU AND THANKS FOR SHARING WHAT SOME THINK IS TO PERSONAL..CROSS YOUR FINGERS FOR ME AND AGAIN THANK YOU!

9. Posted by kim on August 18, 2008

Hello, I had the surgery on Mon., Aug 11th and I still am very swollen and there is a large bruise in the center of my incision and it is rock hard. I have lots of scabs from tape being removed and huge scabs on either side of my incision. I did not have the paper tape; some other type of tape that was very sticky and PULLED my skin off. Is this normal??

10. Posted by Cathy on August 19, 2008

Hi-I am a 36 turning 37 year old on sept. 16th and just had a tah due to large fibroid and nasty symptoms lots of peeing and heavy bleeding during periods--I also had Luron injections to reduce size prior to surgery for 6 months. Finally decided to have surgery on Sept. 5th 2008 yes, 3 days post op and I feel nasty. I am up and down frequently to push walking but am very stiff and sore naturally---My abdomen is large and feels like it is distended with gas. I have been eating light foods/chix soup watered down apple juice and water but I have not had a bowel movement since friday prior to surgery/ I am an every dayer so this is probably contributing to my abdominal discomfort. I look like I am about 5 months preg. I do have 2 children and planned no more-It is a major surgery and right now in lots of discomfort--incision is a good size and swollen I cant wait till swelling reduces and abdomenis less bloated its really uncomfortable--will update in a couple of days.

11. Posted by Christa on September 8, 2008

Health Diaries publishes diaries and blogs on health and fitness topics. This diary is listed under:

Name: Elizabeth M.
Location:
Southern California

About Me: I'm in my late thirties and suffered with large fibroids until August '04 when I had a supracervical hysterectomy. Keep reading as I'll cover topics on long-term recovery from hysterectomy.

Links
PelvicFloor.com
All About Myomectomy
Fibroids
HysterSisters

Who Wants to See Photos?

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