Post-Operative Pain

[Guest crissy_oakley]

Hello All,

I am now three weeks and one day, post-op. I am still have a good deal of pain, in the area of my clitoris. I am doing my best to stay in best, since any standing or walking is very comfortable.

Looking for some input, as to how long this pain is going to last.

I would like to add, that my surgery lasted, far longer than the average GRS. I was in surgery for over 8 hours...

Thanks,

Beth

[VickySGV]

I was needing some pain meds, Advil type for up to about week 8. Major decreases in pain coincided with sutures falling out, and in my case also the conquest of a yeast infection I had developed at about week 2 and a half. I actually started feeling better though when I began more normal exercise in the form of walking around my neighborhood. Also, as part of getting rid of my infection, I got to have what are called Sitz Baths, which are just sitting in warm water deep enough to cover your new vulva area for about 20 minutes.

What the heck happened that yours went out to 8 hours?? (None of my real business.) I would think that some of the pain could be due to being restrained on the table for the longer time as much as anything else. I still have over half of my prescription pain stuff left so that should be a hint, I used a goodly amount of OTC pain stuff, but the really serious pain as I said lasted until the sutures substantially fell out. Do not hesitate to get in touch with an Ob/Gyn if you feel worsening pain though.

[Guest]

Hi Beth,

Congratulations on having the surgery!

We all heal at different rates, and I'm sure that different surgeons cause different challenges to healing afterwards. So, it's hard to say whether your pain is normal or not. Do stay in close contact with your surgeon or a gynecologist back home.

Me? My recovery see-sawed from tolerable to bad for the first 2 months. But a couple of things caused setbacks that were unique to me.

Hang in there - check with that doctor - and do let us know how you're doing?

Love, Megan

[KathrynJulia]

A lot of discomfort for me is swelling that comes and goes. You and I had surgery at about the same week. Like Vicky mentioned, stitches can really irritate as does hair growing back. It stiff and irritating. Sometimes I'm really sore from dilating. That's hit and miss. Pelvic Exams with a speculum followed by a good dilation will make me sore. Anytime their is major surgery, were just going to hurt for awhile. The younger the patient is the quicker the nurses respond. Kathy

[VickySGV]

Kathy -- absolutely the pubic hair regrowing!! I am cringing now just thinking about it.!! OHHHHH!!

[KathrynJulia]

It's really driving me up a wall right now. It took some searching here in Bangkok, but I found Vaseline to rub on the hairs which is helping with softening the hairs and easing the irritation.

Beth, I'm also coating my clitoris with the Vaseline as well. Mine is really sensitive to and the Vaseline has helped to lessened the irritation caused by the rubbing of a pad. I also stocked up on American brand pads, I bought this Thai brand of pads and it felt like getting too close to a belt sander. Hydrocortisone cream was a life savior. Let's face it, we're pretty sensitive for a while. And I'm not used to wearing a pad 24\7. In time the hair will lengthen and soften, and provide us a great deal of protection in that very sensitive area. Also, there is a lot of moisture there then we are used to which allows for micro organisms to grow We will in time grow the correct 2 to 3 strains of bacteria that reside in the vagina which help to keep yeast, fungus and overgrowth of other bacteria in check.

You should be finished taking antibiotics by now which really louses up the vaginal environment. If I remember my microbiology correctly, it takes about 2 weeks for the correct balance to reoccur in the vaginal environment. I'm in the same boat with you Beth. I have 3 more days till I get home. The hotel is doing a pretty good job with my laundry, but I have Downey Fabric softener that I like in my wash and especially to soften the fabric of my panties. Another month will make a big difference. This is a surgery that needs 6 to 8 weeks to recuperate. The area of the surgery is very vasculariced and richly enervated region.

Suffering right alongside with you Beth. Hugs Kathy

[Guest crissy_oakley]

Thanks for the input, everybody.... It is really appreciated....

Kathy - Great idea about the hydrocortisone cream. I will ask my Doctor about it.