Two weeks postop, still feel awful

Hi Fervle...

I had a lap to remove several moderate endo implants and remove my RT ovary/fallopian tube. I remember feeling terrible for a few weeks following, even making a follow up appt with the clinic 3 weeks later to make sure it was normal to still be so "abnormal". It was. I can honestly say I wasn't back to 100% "normal" for 6-8 weeks following surgery. I'm early 40s, so my age was a factor too. 

The constipation caused by pain meds can cause horrible pain - keep taking the stool softener and let your provider know you're still taking it (he may suggest otherwise). So....you're doing everything right. Some suggestions:

1. Don't push yourself too much too soon. Your body will recover in it's own time. I know it's frustrating and I know it's lame -- but give yourself time to heal. Heating pad, lots of rest, taking things one step at a time. 

2. Take small steps towards normal activity. I didn't drive for like 2 weeks after surgery -- it may have been 3 weeks. Do small chores like empty the dishwasher, do a load of laundry and see how you feel. If you feel good, try another load or cook a meal. Put off any chores that require lifting or pushing (no vacuum for a while, no lawn mower!).

3. Get lots of fluids (Water!), eat appropriately (your body needs nutrients to heal), shower every day, even when you feel yuck (it will make you feel better to be clean and dressed!). But again, don't push yourself! If all you can do tomorrow is shower, dress and maybe make lunch, then that's a great start.

4. Don't torture yourself. If you feel like your pain is bad enough that you need something stronger than OTC meds, tell your doctor. I stopped taking mine within a week after surgery too, and I pushed myself too hard. Listen to your body.

5. It never hurts to have a follow up -- I'm glad to hear you have one scheduled. I called the Nurse Advice line more than once with questions in the weeks after my surgery- don't hesitate to do this, they can reassure you and give you excellent advice or even triage you and set you up with a sooner appt if they think it's warranted. 

So...in closing, I'd say that what you're feeling, based on my own experience, is normal recovery. But every body is different -- trust yours and never be afraid to ask questions or call the clinic if you're worried. It's their job to continue your care!

I can tell you that when I started to finally feel like myself again, things moved along quickly as far as getting back to "normal". In the mean time, take it easy, rent some good chick flicks, get some awesome food and treat yourself. 

Good luck, sister. :D

Hi, I had surgery two weeks ago yesterday and i have to admit i was one of those people saying i was fine after a week, it was more the fact that i could move around a lot quicker than i thought i would be rather than being 100% recovered, perhaps other people saying that they are recovered are more suprised they dont feel quite as awful as expected, i think its more peoples initial expectations that determine how quickly they feel they recover, you read things of people saying they were recovered quickly so perhaps you thought you would be 100% by now. I read people saying 4-6 weeks recovery, no lifting anything, no driving etc so when i could walk around by end of week 1 fairly comfortably i thought id recovered quickly.

I am still not 100%, i can move around and my wounds have nearly healed but my bowels still seem off with bouts of constipation/loose stools and gas, i have a hard lump which is still quite sore under one of the incisions, i am bleeding on and off constantly and its been quite painful and heavy, i started getting quite dizzy and lightheaded and that happened about 10 post op, im guessing from blood loss. My insides definitely dont feel 100% or comfortable and ive only just had in the last 3 days the feeling of pulling, twisting and heaviness decrease where the lump is, i panicked thinking i now had a hernia from the surgery.

You will recover but as K51551 said it is an individual situation of how quickly your body heals. I do office work so i only need to lift a pen which means i went back to work quickly but your job is active so it would be impossible fo you to do that, if i just said i was back to work after 7 days it gives a perception that your not healing as quick as me but the truth is i sit all day so it is not a true picture.

Good luck.