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Increase in Bleeding 14 days Post Op

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murraysam10
murraysam10

Hello, my name is Samantha and I'm new to this board. I'm 25 and a single mom to three children, 5 and under. I was released by my urogynecologist to return to work 14 days post op which seems really early compared to most. Maybe it's because I'm in the US? I'm also in nursing school and have been attending classes since 7 days post op. My doc said he sees no reason why I can't resume normal activity. I've even been driving myself for the past 5 days. Anyways, I was having very little light brown discharge until this morning when I started to have a lot of dark blood. It just drips and drips when I sit on the toilet. I have an appointment in an hour. I'm so worried. Like I said, im a single mom and a student so I'm taking it as easy as I can. 😔

1 like, 20 replies

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  • Jan999
    Jan999 murraysam10

    Posted

    In the UK there is absolutely no way a Urogynaecologist would advise a woman to return to work so soon. Speaking from professional and personal experience it's far too early however you haven't actually said what surgery you have had.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 murraysam10

      Posted

      Well it's a rectocele repair that is the one in particular where it's important to rest. If you look at the Pinned Post on the Genitourinary home page there's lots of information about aftercare. The first link is if I remember rightly tells you about resting, exercise and going back to work. Your bleeding could be because you haven't given your sutures time to heal.
  • murraysam10
    murraysam10

    Posted

    It seems to be pretty common here to be told to return to normal duties MUCH sooner than in the UK. Here, they don't even keep you overnight after surgery either. You go home a few hours later with very little info on how to keep pressure off your perineum or how to keep your bm's soft. I had to look all that up on my own online. My take home instructions just said to start walking as soon as possible and to return to driving and normal activity after two weeks. No sex for 6 weeks though.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 murraysam10

      Posted

      Some ladies in the UK are discharged home the same day. 
  • phyl_40063
    phyl_40063 murraysam10

    Posted

    Hi murrysam,

    I hope you get things sorted out, it must be very difficult with 3 young children, I feel empathy for you. I had a hysterectomy and front repair 3 years ago and took 6 months out. During my recovery my daughter was on maternity leave and was with me constantly. I ended up prolapsing again due to lifting heavy toddler, didn't mean to but very difficult not to when they put themselves in danger. I know I was also in too big a hurry to recover and like yourself was up and about far too quickly doing all sort far too soon. So please be very careful.

    You are probably younger than me and will heal much faster and most probably will have much better longterm outcome, but you still have to give the wounds around the stitches time to heal and that means resting as much as you can and avoid any heavy chores for a while. The deep tissues can take months to heal and recover.

    Please be careful and look after yourself first so that you will be able to look after the little ones.

    Phyl x☺☺☺

    • Kattime
      Kattime phyl_40063

      Posted

      I hope this makes sense. I wanted to comment to both Samantha and Phyllis in one post.

      Hi PHYLLIS, I always enjoy your posts no matter to whom they are written. I can't believe you had to go through this twice. God bless you! I am so sorry that you had to go through all the anguish and pain for 2 separate operations. This week I am now at 8 weeks now and am momentarily lying down and feel NO guilt after you shared that. smile smile

      I have been having back pain most recently, especially after 1 hour of household shopping at Walmart on Monday. I felt I overdid it picking up items, though loading one at a time; it was still too much for me. I learn a lot from you and all you other wonderful ladies when I come here. So after reading your reply, I guess the deep tissue in my back is still on the mend, for it lets me know with a good deal of pain. I fear ever having a 2nd time around like you had. I don't know what I would do or if I would go through this again. Your speaking from experience gives me more willpower to keep taking it easy! I hope you are doing great all week!

      Also, I LOVED the advice you gave me about walking in my older discussion. I haven't started walking yet as a standard exercise plan, but I do intend to do so maybe next week when my back is better.

      Hugs & Blessings to you!

      &&&&

      SAMANTHA,

      I am in the states, too, and although I am not working right now, I believe you are right in saying that doctors don't emphasize resting enough and the amount of time we should take to do so. You are a good bit younger than I am and will probably bounce back quicker, but like what Phyllis said, I would think if you are feeling ANY pain, then our bodies are telling us something isn't healed. So as everyone here tells me, take it easy so you don't have to endure this again. Also, my doctor told me in no way whatsoever to drive before 2 weeks, though I had a hysterectomy and bladder prolapse repair...it may be different with your surgery. I'm not sure. But I got a taste literally of one reason not to drive for myself. I had to go to my mom's completely unexpected funeral. That was at the 10 day point I believe. Well, I was so tired and sore and beaten down that day that I started throwing up all in my friend's car when we were 3/4 of the way home! I continued to vomit for 3.5 hours after I got home and almost called an ambulance to go to ER because it wouldn't stop. That really scared me and I was so glad I hadn't driven that day! I don't know what I would have done. With the pain I was in then, I thought of how miserable it would be to have a car wreck. I would definitely limit my driving if you have no choice and must drive though, especially the first few weeks just to protect yourself because it would be an awful time to be involved in an accident. Lastly, my doctor told me that I would have some bloody discharge for up to 6 weeks, which I did have. I don't know if this helps but I wanted to share my thoughts with you.

      I am wishing you best of luck with healing! You take it easy, too.

      Joy &Hugs!

    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063 Kattime

      Posted

      Hi kattime,

      So sorry to hear you are in pain, it does sound like you have overdone things. In Early weeks I only walked around supermarket with hubby while he did the shopping and after 20/30 mins I would go sit down.

      Around 9 or 10 weeks post op before I started to take some things through checkout myself mainly lighter items as still avoiding the heavy things.

      Now at 14 weeks post op and still can't lift a bag that's heavy; I can manage a bag with maybe toilet roll, teabags, wipes, pads, cold meat anything similar in weight but if bag got like 2 litre milk, bottles juice, potatoes then it's too heavy.

      Can lift 2 litres but I support weight with other hand and could not carry for any distance. It is very frustrating but not worth taking the chance.

      Anyhow good to hear from you and pleased to hear you are getting out and about. Lots of rest it's early days yet and take care.

      Phyl x☺☺☺

  • murraysam10
    murraysam10

    Posted

    Thanks all. I went to the doctor yesterday and after an excruciatingly painful exam with a speculum and my doctor packing my vagina to absorb the blood, he concluded that it was a hematoma from the time of surgery that finally liquidized. So it's all old blood. He says that I'm healing well and that all muscles are intact. I decided to take an extra few days off of work until my lover gets back from work out of town and can help me some with the children.
    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063 murraysam10

      Posted

      That's great news murrysam, so pleased for you. It's worth the discomfort of the internal exam, and you have your mind put at rest now and can get on with your recovery now!

      Phyl x💖

    • Jan999
      Jan999 murraysam10

      Posted

      It does happen occasionally murraysam and I know I've mentioned on this forum before about haematomas. I still think that you have returned to work too soon though and I've looked back at other posts from ladies in the USA and they have been given the same information as ladies in the UK about complete rest for 2 weeks. Basically the information as the link on the Pinned Post.
  • murraysam10
    murraysam10

    Posted

    I've ask my doctor for a not allowing me another week off of work. I also have family watching my be year old so I haven't been doing any heavy lifting.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 murraysam10

      Posted

      Good. Take things easy, feet up even rest in bed. You can always study as well. Take care.
  • murraysam10
    murraysam10

    Posted

    So I ended up going back to work yesterday because I could not get a note from my doctor. I'm still "bleeding" most of which is dark red or brown with some occasional pink bits. I'm not sure why I'd still be bleeding this far out. It doesn't make any sense. And why would the blood be dark brown/black or dark red? Other than the idea of the hematoma, my doctor doesn't know what it could be. I can't go through another pelvic exam. This would be my fourth with a speculum since my surgery on the 23rd.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 murraysam10

      Posted

      If it's dark red or brown that's usually old blood. Why wouldn't you doctor give you another sicknote?
    • chris70751
      chris70751 murraysam10

      Posted

      Hello Murraysam10

      I am in awe of you and some of the other ladies on here, having read some of their journeys and I also feel embarrassed about worrying about my small blood loss again at 6 weeks, it is nothing compared to your worry's.Can you see a different doctor?, as it seems inhuman not to get a sick note at this very early stage in your recovery.

      Huge hugs Christine x

       

    • Kattime
      Kattime murraysam10

      Posted

      Mine was really dark looking for the most part, too, Murray, and came in probably 4th week or later through the 6th week. Mine was very light though but it scared me a little.

      I can't believe the doctor didn't give you a note. Wow. This surgery brings many challenges afterwards I have found.

      I am glad you are healing well and that you made it through your exam.

      Try to get some rest this weekend. 💜💜 I know I will be trying to do the same. smile

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