# Wow. Um...surgery hurts. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 28, 2004, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652 "2004-02-28T19:32:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/1 "2004-02-28T19:32:58Z")
Just got home this morning, after three days in the hospital. Had a hysterectomy & bladder suspension. I’m kinda surprised at how sore I am. I think it’s because I’ve given birth three times, unmedicated, and bounced back pretty quickly. This time, I can’t even tie my own shoes. That’s weird for me. Really weird. I suppose it’s because I’ve never had actual _surgery_ before. Ah well. I’ve got meds, and stuff to do for the 6 to 8 weeks I’ll be off work. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/2 "2004-02-28T20:02:15Z")
Glad to hear you’re up and about. If I may offer some unsolicited advice, as I’ve had abdominal surgery twice, as well as the gallbladder removal - DO NOT TRY TO DO TOO MUCH TOO SOON!! I got to feeling pretty good after my hysterectomy and within a few weeks, I decided I felt good enough to upholster my sofa. Really, I was just making the cushion cover and handstitching it, but it still involved a certain amount of bending, lifting, and a few other moves that were not conducive to healing of the lower belly. My incision began to open and bleed a bit. But I had to be SuperMom. So don’t reupholster your sofa. Don’t be a lump either, but keep reminding yourself that you’ve just had major surgery and no matter how great you may feel, it still takes time to heal. Before you know it, you’ll be back to your normal self! Take care. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/3 "2004-02-28T20:21:15Z")
The standard advice after having a hysterectomy is “Don’t lift anything heavier than a wet washcloth for 6 weeks”. Having had one myself, I think that’s excellent advice. I think that the worst pain I had was the second night after the operation. I still hurt quite a bit after that, but that night was horrid to live through. Everyone I’ve talked to who has gone through the same thing has said that was the time of their worst pain, too. So probably you are over the worst of it, and now you just have to concentrate on healing. And I really don’t think that this is the time to upholster your sofa. MAYBE you can do a little light cross-stitch or something like that. But upholstering the sofa is right out. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/4 "2004-02-28T20:34:15Z")
Well, dang, **Lynn** , where were you in 1989 when _I_ needed that advice?!? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/5 "2004-02-28T20:51:54Z")
I haven’t had the hysterectomy (yet - I have a feeling it will have to come out someday), but I did have ovarian cysts removed with a laparoscopy. A laparoscopy is much easier on you than the full meal deal that you had, and even so, I couldn’t believe how long I had to do almost nothing. My mistake (like **FCM’s** ) was trying to do too much too soon. Really listen to your body right now - if you feel tired and sick, REST! I tried to go back to work on the fifth day after surgery, and I’ve never seen that shade of grey-green on a human being before. Actually, rest even if you don’t feel tired and sick. I thought I was fine, until I actually got to work and realized I had used up absolutely all my energy just getting there. ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/6 "2004-02-28T21:40:59Z")
I was told “nothing heavier than 10 lbs, and don’t forget, a gallon of milk weighs about eight lbs, so basically, don’t lift anything.” **Lynn:** I think you’re right about that second night. I had IV painkillers that really didn’t seem to do anything but make it tolerable enough that I didn’t scream, but that’s about it. I’ve got Vicodin for now, and that’s…well, that’s okay. It’s not giving me any kind of buzz, but it’s taking the edge off. **FCM:** I’d never try to upholster my sofa when fully healthy. I’m just not that crafty. 😉 However, my sofa does need to be redone, so if you’re feeling okay now, I’ll give you my number, and we’ll set something up. 😃 **featherlou:** Five days? Yeah, that’s too much. 😃 A friend of mine just had this surgery a few weeks ago, actually, and has told me the same thing about how quickly your energy gets used up. I’ve managed to be successful in doing nothing today, and this is where having kids old enough to follow orders is _reeeeeeally_ gonna come in handy. Dianasaur in particular. She’s seven now, and can actually help _me_ do stuff. Like this morning, she tied my shoes for me. She was very proud of herself, and I was very proud of her. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/7 "2004-02-28T22:22:28Z")
> [@Persephone](#): > > I’ve managed to be successful in doing nothing today, and this is where having kids old enough to follow orders is _reeeeeeally_ gonna come in handy. Dianasaur in particular. She’s seven now, and can actually help _me_ do stuff. Like this morning, she tied my shoes for me. She was very proud of herself, and I was very proud of her. 🙂 Kids are good for that. The daughter of a friend of mine (now 14 years old! Og, where does the time go?) has been minioning for about 3 years or so now. She’s gotten quite good at it. Her little brother (just turned 8, I think) isn’t so good, but then he’s had much less practice. Good to know you’re home. It’s been a banner week. First **Scotticher** gets back on line, and now you do. Someone’s karma is right. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/8 "2004-02-28T22:56:17Z")
My mother had a hysterectomy many years ago. She took some time to recover from it. You, as a female, are designed to give birth and to recover from so doing; you are not designed to have your innards ripped out! Take it easy. Get your husband to peel grapes for you. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/9 "2004-02-28T23:42:40Z")
Just surf the boards all day…better yet, do so after a bunch of pain pills. We need some excitement around here. So. How much weight did you lose with your inner girly parts now gone? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/10 "2004-02-29T00:22:28Z")
Abdominal surgery is hell. That was how I learned that there are some things worse than death. If I had not known that I was going to feel just a little better every day, I don’t think that I would have wanted to survive. Be a lady of leisure! Enjoy the good medicine. The worst of it will be over soon. I can remember having to “pole vault” into a sitting position for a while. > [@](#): > > **FairyChatMom** : My incision began to open and bleed a bit. But I had to be SuperMom. Sometimes speed reading just doesn’t work. I misread this as: “My incision began to open and bleed a bit. But I had to be Super Glued.” ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/11 "2004-02-29T03:36:58Z")
My best advice after gallbladder surgery? Take your pain pills on time. Even if you’re feeling just fine and you think “I could go another hour”, take your pain pill. That way, you stay caught up with the pain and don’t have any gaps in coverage. Because, believe me, once you start hurting, it takes a lot longer for the pain meds to do their proper job. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/12 "2004-02-29T04:08:06Z")
And don’t quit taking the good drugs too soon – I made that mistake several years ago after breast reduction surgery, when I decided that I HATED what Vicodin did to my head and I’d try just Tylenol. I believe this was on day three after surgery. After several hours of [Spock]PAAAAAAIN!!![/Spock] I went back on the Vicodin for a couple more days. I still hated the buzzy-headed feeling I got from it, but I preferred that to the alternative! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/13 "2004-02-29T04:13:45Z")
I’ve had a splenectomy. Yes, abdominal surgery is hell. The intestinal adhesion that may follow is no pickanick either. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/14 "2004-02-29T05:03:19Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Well, dang, **Lynn** , where were you in 1989 when _I_ needed that advice?!? 😃 I hadn’t had mine out yet. I got mine out in March of 2001. I was doing the complete fast after whatever hour it was…and my parents and sister and her kids had come down to lend me moral support. Unfortunately, moral support consisted of tossing a bag of Chips Ahoy cookies around the room. Which I, of course, could not have. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/15 "2004-02-29T05:24:11Z")
I had my right kidney out on January 8, and I second or third or fourth the advice given here. Don’t do too much too soon. I went back to work on Feb 2, and it wasn’t too bad, but I got tired much quicker than I normally would. I work on my feet, no sitting(I _am_ a baker!), and thank goodness I had people who would do the lifting for me. That said, my incision was horizontal, or nearly so, and until it really started healing, each time I stood up straight I could feel gravity pulling on it, and the rest of my innards settling down. Do you feel that? My mother the nurse says that means to keep resting, until it goes away. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/16 "2004-02-29T05:50:11Z")
> [@Lynn Bodoni](#): > > \I was doing the complete fast after whatever hour it was…and my parents and sister and her kids had come down to lend me moral support. Unfortunately, moral support consisted of tossing a bag of Chips Ahoy cookies around the room. Which I, of course, could not have. Oh, the fast - that was completely miserable for me. After I woke up from surgery, I barfed for about five hours straight, and this after I hadn’t eaten for 24 hours. I kept drinking milk and orange juice in the hopes of some of the sugar was getting into my blood and stopping the low blood sugar crap that I also had going on. Bleah. On the plus side, if you have to barf anything, orange juice is surprisingly pleasant. Nothing like citrus-fresh nostrils. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/17 "2004-02-29T14:51:26Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > On the plus side, if you have to barf anything, orange juice is surprisingly pleasant. Nothing like citrus-fresh nostrils. Actually, I’ve found the exact opposite to be true. Of course, the only time I’ve ever puked pure orange juice, I had pneumonia and had coughed so hard it made me barf. All that acid didn’t feel so bad the first time it went through my raw throat, but the second time…it was like a river of fire. ---
**Author:** ![BobbySuezQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@BobbySuezQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobbySuezQ)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/18 "2004-02-29T16:30:20Z")
enjoy your 6-8 weeks off ! Rest Rest Rest, Walk Walk Walk. Mine was a rough recovery … but now two years later, I still don’t push shopping carts. "D ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/19 "2004-02-29T16:53:49Z")
Good to see you, Cristi. 🙂 See, we all _knew_ you’d be fine. Sorry I didn’t get up there to see you, but it sounds like you have a coterie of helping hands. Can’t imagine the pain! I get one headache and render myself inert. ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652/20 "2004-02-29T18:51:39Z")
See, I have been lucky in that I did not have huge incisions. They were able to do everything–and I do mean everything–vaginally (can I say that in MPSIMS?). I have two small cuts on the right & left side of my belly, where the hammocky-thing for the suspension is mounted, and I also have some cuts in my belly button, where they had to do a laparoscope, to make sure that they could actually do everything the other way. What I’m left with, though, is some major bruising. Oh, and because I’m a redhead, I bled a lot more than most women, so they had to go back in on Friday and restaple. Gaaaah. They made me stop eating breakfast. That upset me. So now my belly is very sore, and my…um…“girly bits” are pretty sore too, from having organs pulled out through them and surgical work done through them as well. **BobbySuezQ:** Thanks for the email. I think I’ll be having HRT, but I don’t know much about it yet. I had one hormone shot in the hospital, and I have an appointment with my gyno in two weeks, but I’m going to call her tomorrow for more information. HRT was kind of a given for me, because I’m only 36 years old. I wasn’t even supposed to have a total hysterectomy–it was just supposed to be my uterus, but at the last minute, I chose to have it all taken out. It’s a long story, but I believe it’s for the best. **featherlou:** Citrus fresh nostrils? Oh, that was good! 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-um-surgery-hurts/231652.md?page=2)