Hi there. I’m new. Just had surgery on Wednesday evening to remove my left Fallopian tube due to an ectopic pregnancy. I’d bled internally (about a pint) which they managed to remove most of along with my tube. I got home yesterday afternoon but since I got home had a lot of pain when I breathe. I was told I’d have pain in my shoulders due to the carbon dioxide dispersing but it’s like a continuous pain which is aggregated if I move or take a deep breath. Is this normal? I’m so paranoid! Also I had laparoscopic surgery so have 3 wound sites covered with mepore dressings. Not had a shower yet and feel gross. Should I take them off before I shower? I’m just so scared and sore! And sad. Please help xxx
Hey Violinda, big hug to you. It’s such an ordeal, isn’t it? I wish you lots of support and a speedy recovery.
My surgery was exactly five weeks ago. I remember the feeling gross part. I washed myself with a wash cloth for two days and took a shower the third day. They said it was ok to do so but I was told to absolutely leave the mepore dressings on, and they gave me a couple of extra in case they’d peel off when showering, but they stayed on for a whole week.
I don’t remember constant pain when breathing. I was usually fine as long as I didn’t move. I had shoulder pain and a very heavy belly when I walked, but not a lot of pain when lying still.
I’d say it’s worth contacting your doctor over. I got into a panic on day 5 because I suddenly had heavy cramping and I demanded to be seen at the hospital. It turned out to be nothing but they were very understanding that I had been worried.
So if you’re feeling paranoid, call your doc or your GP! You need rest, no unnecessary stress.
Thank you Eleog. I think it might just be the gas trapped in my diaphragm but will ring the hospital if it’s still not better by tomorrow. Husband has taken our daughter out to the supermarket for now so I have some peace & quiet to rest. It seems to hurt a lot when I lie down so I’m better sitting I bed sort of propped up on pillows for now xxx
Dear Violinda85,
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss.
Unfortunately I am not medically trained so can only provide you with general advice.
Regarding showering and wound care, normally you can shower 24 hours after an operation on your abdomen (tummy) and take a bath after 48 hours. It is a good idea to make sure someone is around when you get into the bath, in case you find it uncomfortable or tricky to get out. If for some reason it is not advisable to take a bath, you will usually be told this as part of your discharge information. If you are in any doubt, ring the ward from which you were discharged and ask them.
Whilst you have an open wound or stitches, you should avoid using bath oils or other strongly scented bath treats. Until the wound is healed and the stitches are gone, warm water and very gentle soap are all you should be using for your bathing needs. Other than a daily shower or bath, there should be no need to clean your wound with anything else. You should not use any antiseptic or cream type preparations on a new scar unless it has been prescribed by a doctor.
Don’t rub or wash the scars; gentle washing in warm water with a mild soap or body wash gel, avoiding the actual scars, is all that is needed. Dissolvable stitches often rely on the patient taking regular baths to help the stitches dissolve.
If you have not been informed when to remove your plasters, remove them prior to your shower and it is better to leave the wound site uncovered. However, if the stitches pull or rub on your clothing then covering them with some low adherent dressing (that does not stick to the skin), which is available from most pharmacies and supermarkets, is recommended. You should not use any antiseptic or cream type preparations on a new scar unless it has been prescribed by a doctor.
Regarding your pain, some pain after surgery is to be expected and after an operation, people often get aches and pains in places they did not expect to, such as the back, neck, hips and legs can all be very sore. The staff in the operating theatre take great care of you when you are asleep and try to move you into the positions they need you to be in very gently. However, because your muscles are very relaxed as a result of the anaesthetic, sometimes muscles can ache for several days after your surgery. Take it easy, take the pain relief you were given in hospital and your aches should resolve over a few days.
With the limited information about your procedure however, if the pain when breathing persists or worsens I would strongly advise seeking medical advice. Although I do not wish to alarm you, if you experience any breathing difficulties, so you are struggling to breathe or cannot talk a full sentence without having to stop for a breath and this is not normal for you, or if you are experiencing any pain and/swelling in your calf muscles, please also seek urgent medical advice.
If you find you experience offensive smelling discharge or an increased temperature of more than 37°C or just want to be checked out to be on the safe side, it would be worth asking your doctors to run tests to check for infection.
Experiencing an ectopic pregnancy is a huge ordeal and you are in the early stages of recovery. Your body needs time to heal from your surgery which is in itself a gruelling task. You have also had to process the loss of your baby and been through an immense rollercoaster of emotions - all of this will take time to come to terms with.
You should take it very easily for about six weeks after surgery. Your body will be using its energies to heal internally. It is normal to feel physically and emotionally exhausted during this time and please do be kind to yourself. Recovery can take time and some days will be better than others, one day you maybe ok and the next you maybe in discomfort or more emotional. This is perfectly usual and the healing process will go back and forth in this way for however long you need. It is important to listen to your body’s signals and pain and feeling tired are your body’s signs to tell you to rest. We suggest keeping a healthy balanced diet, drinking lots of water and resting. Once your wounds have healed, very gentle exercise such as a short walk can help, but please do take this slowly.
Sending much love,
Karen x
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Many thanks for your reply, Karen. I’m feeling much better now although quite emontional but I think that’s just me coming to terms with what’s happened. I’ve had a successful couple of showers and am now letting my wounds heal openly. I seem to still have some sutures and am not sure how they will come out/be removed so shall ring my GP tomorrow and make an appointment to see the practice nurse regarding this. Thankfully the pain when breathing has eased off and diaphragm has stopped spasming now - it must have been the gas dispersing. Thank you so much for your advice and best wishes xxx