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What Causes Abdominal Swelling And Inflammation After A Hysterectomy?
Question: I recently had a hysterectomy (uterus and cervix removed) 6 weeks ago. 5 weeks prior, I had an ablation which made symptoms worse and made a hysterectomy necessary. It was found that I had adenomyosis at the time of my hysterectomy. Before either procedure, I had considerable pain, constant abdominal swelling, and bled almost every day. 6 weeks after my surgery, my doctor is still unsure why I have so much swelling and inflammation. I had developed an infection about 3 weeks out at the incision and he cauterized the area with silver nitrate and put me on antibiotics. This is now gone but I still have inflammation comparable to post surgery. The doctor says I have to wait it out but it is painful. Should I seek another opinion or is waiting it out my only option?
Brief Answer:
Adequate pain management while waiting!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this pain and inflammation that you have reported after the surgery. At times, we need time for inflammation to slowly resolve entirely after surgery. If there is no other reason that suggest a complication(infection), watchful waiting would be best as aggressive measures to intervene on a recent operation scar could be damaging.
What I disagree with is you being in pain. I would like to see your doctor prescribe the necessary pain medications that are needed to control this pain. Ibuprofen alone is the very basic of pain medications and we have more potent options out there that you should try if your pain remains concerning to you. Talk to your doctor about this.
For now, stick with him but make sure that he controls the pain and enable you to lead a pain free life and only wait for the inflammation to resolve over time. If he fails to address this pain, please seek a second opinion. What I greatly discourage is any further surgical act on this operation site without clear reasons as this may only make it worse.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Adequate pain management while waiting!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this pain and inflammation that you have reported after the surgery. At times, we need time for inflammation to slowly resolve entirely after surgery. If there is no other reason that suggest a complication(infection), watchful waiting would be best as aggressive measures to intervene on a recent operation scar could be damaging.
What I disagree with is you being in pain. I would like to see your doctor prescribe the necessary pain medications that are needed to control this pain. Ibuprofen alone is the very basic of pain medications and we have more potent options out there that you should try if your pain remains concerning to you. Talk to your doctor about this.
For now, stick with him but make sure that he controls the pain and enable you to lead a pain free life and only wait for the inflammation to resolve over time. If he fails to address this pain, please seek a second opinion. What I greatly discourage is any further surgical act on this operation site without clear reasons as this may only make it worse.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. That makes me feel better. I guess I did not include that I have been on Lortab and Percaset when necessary for pain (mostly at night or after standing a while). I was just concerned that the persistent swelling was not typical.
Brief Answer:
Thanks, too!
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for this follow up and the information you have provided.
I am happy to know you are being well medicated. Keep me updated about your progress and together we would be able to see if there are any new avenues we should be exploring.
I wish you well.
Thanks, too!
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for this follow up and the information you have provided.
I am happy to know you are being well medicated. Keep me updated about your progress and together we would be able to see if there are any new avenues we should be exploring.
I wish you well.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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