What to expect after surgery?

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1

Hi,

I am currently 5 days post keyhole surgery for an ectopic pregnancy, during which I lost my right fallopian tube.

This was my first pregnancy, we had tried for a few months before getting a positive test over Christmas.

I started very light spotting, a week ago, it got slightly heavier as the days went on. Last Friday I had very bad pains for maybe an hour, I passed two very large ‘clots’ which I thought was me miscarrying, after which I had no more pain but very tired. I was booked in for a scan at 8am Monday morning during which they discovered the ectopic and I had surgery later that night.

I have a little bit of pain in the wounds, I am very very tired, and I am also a bit light headed. I guess my question is what should I be expecting, should there be bleeding, how long will I feel unwell, is the dizzyness something to be worried about? Long post but I think im still just in shock and would love to hear from others in the same boat or who have went on to have healthy pregnancies.

Thanks x

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Hi Ashley,

I wanted to drop you a quick reply as I am in a very similar boat and thought it might be helpful to share what’s happened to me.

I found out I was pregnant on 4th Jan. We were delighted, but I had quite a bit of spotting over the following week, so took myself to the Early Pregnancy Unit at the hospital for a scan on 10 Jan. It was our first pregnancy and we’d been having fertility treatment (clomid) as I have polycystic ovaries.

I would have been about 5 weeks. They sadly diagnosed an ectopic pregnancy and took my bloods. They said that because my HCG levels were about 750, and I wasn’t in pain, that I should do ‘‘expectant management’ to see if it would resolve itself. I was a total mess, spent most of the day in tears. I returned again 48 hours later for more bloods which had risen to 1100. The consultant said to come back for more bloods again on the Monday, and that if they were over 1500, then I’d need to have the surgery.

So I went in for bloods before work, went to the office and got a phone call later the same day at 4pm (15th jan) saying I needed to come in immediately as they were over 1600 and I had to have the surgery.

I was admitted to A&E and eventually had the surgery Tuesday morning and left hospital Weds eve as it took a day or so to get my bladder functioning properly after the surgery. My left tube was removed.

So I’m at home now and today is the first day when the physical symptoms have felt a bit better. I left the house for the first time and went for lunch, and walked to the shops round the corner (albeit a very slow walk!) I am still taking painkillers but not as regularly as before and I’m really bloated, feel like I look about 14 weeks pregnant.

But my emotions are ALL over the place. I feel low most of the time, a bit like this is all horribly unfair, and mostly just really sad. Sobbed loads yesterday on my mother in law. Oh and I’ve started bleeding a fair bit today (the hospital said this would happen as womb lining is shed as hormone levels drop off).

The other thing I’m worrying about is what to say when I go back to work. I left in such a hurry and only my boss knows. I think they’ve told my team I needed an operation, but obviously they’ve not said what.

Anyway, sorry for long reply, and really, really hope you start to feel better soon. Big hugs.

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Hi,

I’m really sorry that you’ve had to go through that.

I had an ectopic last October and it sounds very similar to yours. I had been ttc for a few months and got a positive test, started bleeding and assumed I was miscarrying. Lost my right tube as well.

I started to feel stronger about 6 days after surgery but recovery times are probably different for everyone. I went back to work 8 days post op - which I wouldn’t recommend but I felt like I needed to carry on as normal. In terms of bleeding, I didn’t have much after surgery, just a tiny bit about a week after which I was told not to count as a period.

It was only when I started to feel better physically that what had been hit me psychologically. I’m having counselling now and the last month has been much easier and I’ve started to feel normal again.

If you have any questions about my experience feel free to ask.

I hope you begin to feel better soon. It’s a horrible experience for anyone to go through!

Lots of love

Bethan

Xxxxxx

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Thanks Bethan. Was the counselling offered by the hospital? And do you attend alone or with your partner?

I have been offered some (but through my reproductive fertility unit rather than because of the ectopic). Based on what I’ve read on here I decided it would be worthwhile so I’ve followed up, and hopefully will get an appointment in 4-6 weeks xxx

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Hi Emma,

The waiting list for NHS was really long so I’ve managed to get it privately and I attend on my own. I find it useful just to talk about what happened with someone who is not involved.

Xxxx

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Dear Ashley 87,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss,

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.

It is normal to experience some pain as you recover over the next few weeks and pain and bruising is part of the healing process. The discomfort and bruising should reduce over the next few weeks and I would suggest taking the pain relief that has been prescribed for you as directed by your doctors.

If you find that you have an increased body temperature of more than 37°C or offensive smelling discharge or the wound site starts oozing or feels hot to touch, please do get medical attention as soon as possible as these can be signs of infection.

If you continue to feel dizzy, I would advise speaking to your GP. We do not have access to your medical notes and sadly I am not medically trained so whilst this can be a common side effect of the surgery, sometimes it maybe a sign that your blood count is low. Also ensure you are drinking enough fluids and eating regular balanced meals, as not doing so can also make us feel dizzy and unwell.

Generally after surgery, we advise that you should take it very easily for about six weeks. 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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Further information is available at www.ectopic.org.uk

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Hi Ashley,

I’m so sorry to hear what you are currently going through.

This will be a little bit of a long message but I think it might help to share my story too.

I found out I was pregnant on the 11th of September(2017) I had been unwell for about 5 days prior, something about me just felt wrong. I was lightly bleeding and my back was in so much pain I couldn’t sit down or stand up without it hurting.

I went to the early pregnancy unit at the hospital and after what felt like 4 hours of an internal exam I was diagnosed ectopic and I was rushed into surgery 30 minutes later. They found that my right rube had ruptured so much that I had a coke can full of internal bleeding - I’m lucky to be alive.

After the surgery, I healed pretty quick physically. You need to makesure you do as little as possible, I went for a walk 5 days after surgery and my stomach swelled like a balloon so it really is a matter of bed rest.

Please don’t be worried or concerned if you are still bleeding, that’s normal as the lining of your womb needs to come away. You may also find that you still have pregnancy symptoms for a few days as your hormone level needs to catch up and realise you’re not pregnant anymore. I still had a craving for pickled onion’s for about a week after my operation. Try and get as much sleep and rest as you can and remember that nothing is a silly question, I still have questions 4 months on.

Every twinge or slight pain in either my back or my stomach and I convince myself that I’m having another ectopic. I’ve called the doctor twice a month for the past 4 months because I am still petrified to this day. Everyone will recover differently and in their own time and it’s important that you give yourself enough time to recover and heal in your own time and on your own terms.

Your bloated stomach will eventually go down, that’s just where they had to put air into you during the operation.

I hope this brings you some clarification and I wish you a speedy recovery sweetheart.

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Hi Ashley,

Me again!

I forgot to mention that if you have been given antibiotics or any medication by the doctor, please makesure to eat before you take these tablets, even if you don’t feel like it. Have a bit of toast just to settle your stomach before you take them.

I didn’t eat one time and took my tablets and it made me so dizzy and unwell and was sick as a result and as I was 3 days out of surgery, the strain on my stomach tore my stitches a little and made me bleed, so it’s important that you eat.

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Thanks everyone, it really helped me to read all of your responses.

I’m now 11 days most surgery, so just wanted to post an update.

I’m not in pain anymore so stopped taking the painkillers as they made me soooooo constipated. However still taking buscopan and peppermint oil as I am still very bloated, I look more pregnant than I did when I was actually pregnant. At night I get twinges where my tube was removed, not painful just uncomfortable. The light headedness has passed thankfully. I’m trying to go for a walk each day to build up strength as even going for a walk round the shops tires me out. The wounds aren’t sore but stitches are still there, should they have dissolved already?? I’m technically still ‘pregnant’ though the line on the tests is getting lighter which is good. The only strange thing is that today have started bleeding a little bit, I had nothing after surgery, is this normal?

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Hi Ashley, glad to hear you are feeling better.

The bloating and the bleeding is completely normal. I remember feeling more pregnant after my surgery too.

The bleeding is unfortunately the lining of your womb coming away. It is completely normal and I wouldn’t work yourself up about it too much.

My stitches took atleast 6 weeks to dissolve properly and I still have red scars 4 months on.

You’re on the right road kiddo, keep strong x