How long did your stitches in bellybutton... - Endometriosis UK

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How long did your stitches in bellybutton stay sore

princessk09 profile image
11 Replies

Morning ladies,

I know I’m only 2 days post op but when did your stitches stop being so sore.

My lower stomach is tender to touch still and my bellybutton really hurts. I clean it 3 times a day.

The gas pains are a bitch haha, I can feel it in my shoulders and under my rib cage.

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princessk09
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11 Replies

I’m sorry to hear you are in pain.

You will feel tender as I’m sure there is bruising there for a few days mine took 5 days to not feel tender ( I always have bruises) but if it so painful you can’t bear to put any clothing in & is red then you need to see a nurse practitioner or doctor as it maybe infected and need a course of antibiotics. I had a infection on a wound on my 2nd lap & it was agony.

If you have any doubts do see a nurse they won’t mind they’d rather see you sooner before it gets really bad.and is harder to tackle.

Has the hospital given you any painkillers to take home? Otherwise your GP can prescribe stronger painkillers. It’s not good to be in pain for the recovery. I was sent home with morphine for my 3rd lap & I was so grateful for it. I don’t know how much endo he removed but boy I was in more pain than the other two.

Keep resting and sleep whenever you need to it’s very early days in terms of recovery.

I found anti inflammatory diet is easing my symptoms and this period I’ve had post op has been so much easier. I know you say you are fussy eater but there is lots you can have it still and supermarkets cater for so many dietary needs. Also I’m taking bee propolis it’s very healing and I swear that is helping my endo ; I’ve had no pain in my lower left side since taking it which is a miracle. (Even after my laps it was still happening. )

I hope you feel better soon. xoxo

princessk09 profile image
princessk09 in reply to

It’s not red or anything, just really tender around it and inside where the cut is probably still healing.

The hospital didn’t give me any painkillers as they wanted me to just buy like neurofen (I’ve probably spelt that wrong)

My throat has gotten more painful though xx

in reply to princessk09

Oh no. I’m sorry to hear that.

Have you tried tried ice cubes or ice lollies to ease your throat ?

Are the painkillers easing the pain? If you are still in lots pain after those I’d speak to your GP ( even if it’s just a telephone consultation) now you have a proper diagnosis they’ll be able to know more what they are dealing with and can issue you with better painkillers. A word of warning if you do take stronger painkillers do take a stool softener with it as it’s easy to get constipated with strong pain killers.

It’s good it’s not red 🙂I’m sure it’s just tender due to healing. It took me 5 days to not feel tender; getting up was a nightmare!

As others have said just because it’s only keyhole doesn’t mean they didn’t do a lot of work inside you; they would have moved organs about and you will feel a bit sore. It will pass lovely and hopefully you’ll get some relief from all the horrible symptoms you were suffering & will be worth it. xoxo

Clairey007 profile image
Clairey007

Don't keep cleaning it. You could pull the stitches which will stretch the skin and mean the wound takes longer to heal because the skin won't 'knit' together properly. I was told not to shower for a couple of days post op, so mine didn't get cleaned for two days. I think that's the advice because it means the healing process isn't interrupted too much. My belly button incision, and the one in my pubic region healed fine within a week or so, the one on my left abdomen took a bit longer and did weep a little, but that was due to being disturbed by clothing etc.

Your abdomen will probably be tender for a while. Even though it's keyhole surgery so there's minimal external scarring, internally is anoyher matter. They've been moving an foreign body (I.e. Endoscopic camera on a flexible cord/wire thing) around in your organs and through muscle, so it's natural that you'll be a bit sore and tender in your abdominal region. Just take it easy, try not to do too much, in this case, resting and laying down are your best friends right now.

Hope the gassy feelings go soon.

Xxxxx

princessk09 profile image
princessk09 in reply to Clairey007

The nurses told me to shower and clean it everyday but I haven’t got the energy to shower atm.

The one above my pubic bone just looks like a tiny razor cut so that one doesn’t hurt and it’s fine xx

Hazel173 profile image
Hazel173 in reply to princessk09

Hey Katie, im glad you have finally got answers to why you were in so much pain. I am a nursing student the now, will be qualified in 3 week to work as a registered nurse though. I have done placements with lots of wound care and spoken to wound care specialists through my training. Wounds generally do not need cleaned that often. Unless there is exudate (discharge) leaking through the dressing a dressing can stay in place anywhere between 3-7 days but does depend on the dressing manufacturers instructions. By removing the dressing and washing it the wound bed actually drops a few degrees centigrade. A drop in temperature hinders wound healing. After a laparoscopy you should also avoid a bath or shower for at least 2 days. When you do need to wash your wound just use plain tap water. No need to boil it or add anything, in the community district nurses use plain tap water to clean all wounds (and some are horrific!). By removing the dressing unnecessary and cleaning too ofter you will only interrupt the healing process therefore making your recovery time much longer. I have found that surgical nurses are great at dealing with the immediate post theater wound and care but they dont have a clue about the longer term recovery as they never deal with post care after a few hours in a day surgery unit. But basically wounds need a warm moist environment for optimal healing. Alot of the general public think a dry environment is best but with a dry environment the wound can scab over then the scab can fall off making an even bigger wound. So best advise would be not to wash it so often, make sure its not leaking too much if it feels hotter than the rest of your skin, smells bad, you get a fever or change in pain get straight to your practice nurse. Sorry for the really long message. Take care and rest! Hazel x

princessk09 profile image
princessk09 in reply to Hazel173

Thank you, it’s looking at lot better today and isn’t showing signs of infections which is what I’m most worried about getting.

Just below my bellybutton is tender to touch from the lap. Do you know how long this could last? I’m struggling to get out of bed and walk far too cc

Hazel173 profile image
Hazel173 in reply to princessk09

It is normal to be tender after surgery, remember it only looks like a small cut but alot of work will of been done inside your body. It really depends person to person how long you will be tender from but I would expect it to start gently easing up over the next few days. The stiches themselves might get a bit of a tight pulling sensation, its just them getting tight from the healing but a nurse will be able to take them out. They say its dissolving stiches but they can takes months to fully dissapear so best to have them removed sometimes. You really need to allow your body time to properly rest, youve been through alot (not just the surgery, the last few months of pain and worrying). Just make sure you get up to walk a bit every so often to reduce the risk of dvt's (clots in your legs). But just walking, no cooking or housework, take this time to let your body heal and allow others to help you. Message me any time you want if you have a question x

Sarahxnxhannah16 profile image
Sarahxnxhannah16

stitches pain will ease after about 7 days but they start to become tight and itchy but that's just them healing, keep moving n doing little things itl help the gas go away n ul be bk to normal in no time x

princessk09 profile image
princessk09 in reply to Sarahxnxhannah16

Yeah I can feel it go tight every now and then. It’s worse when I’ve been asleep as I haven’t moved it a while x

Snowy13 profile image
Snowy13

Mine healed well but was slower, it felt uncomfortable for 4 weeks and still got twinges of pain for 6 weeks. As long as it's not hot, overly red/inflamed or smelly then it's doing it job :) get well soon x

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