Omentum removal

[49877894]

I'm having my omentum, as well as other female organs removed next week. Any tips or things I need to know in order to have the best healing experience?

[Hidden]

Hi

I had a total hysterectomy with the Omentum removed to, just try not to do too much to soon, rest, you do need gentle exercise but just do what you feel you can do. Lots of loose clothing so waist bands don't put pressure on your middle.

Try and eat and drink sensibly and all the good things to give you energy and for your body to heal. Wishing you all the best for next week.

Karen xx

[Susan3]

Good advice there, I got a size up Pajamas and underwear and was v glad I did . A vest style bra was v helpful as my incision started just below my bra line .stock up the freezer and take any help that's offered ..and Netflix or a box set a must ..lots of duvet days initially . I didn't have any pain but the surgically induced menopause was v difficult to deal with . It's like some one switches a light switch if u have ovaries out and have not been tru menopause . Typically not offered hrt either . I don't know if mine was so bad as i was so young (36) but wish they had counselled me more beforehand . It affected my sleep ,mood and hotflyshes were something else. Best of luck with surgery

[Lyndy]

To be honest I didn't know I had an omentum until it was no more and I can't say I've missed it 😁. You have some great advice here already xxx

[indego]

Have a rolled up towel ready to push into your belly when you're ready to be up and about.

It helps SO much. I also found the gentle pressure on the incision to be very comforting. Plus, pressure on the lower belly helps ease the discomfort of the first post op poop.

And granny undies! I had these horrific white things that were at least a size to big and nearly came up to my boobs, lol.

They looked shocking, but it stopped them rubbing on the incision.

Also, ask your doctor about hydrocolloid dressings.

I had an open on in 2013, and they used internal stitches and a normal dressing. They then took the dressing off on day 3 and left it off... It got infected, and it was just horrible.

The open op I had late last year, they used internal stitches and a hydrocolloid dressing. They changed it on day 3, with the instructions to take it off after day 8.

Given my previous expiriance, I really didn't want to take the dressing off, so I ended up having another hydrocolloid dressing on until day 14.

But the time that came off, the incision was healed over and not oozing anymore.

SO much better than having to deal with fresh incisions.

Best of luck

[Cre27]

Great advice above. All I could add is stick to having showers rather than a bath when you get home. More gentle on the wound and no getting in and out of the bath. I,too,had never heard of the omentum but haven't missed it. Doesn't seem to stop me doing things! Good luck xx

[Heathere]

Make sure for your journey home by car that you have a pillow to put over you tummy under your seatbelt. Also I used bio oil on the scar daily one it was dry and it certainly helped the healing and the long term look. Good luck.

[Gleedy]

I'm having this op on 9th may so haven't had any surgeon consultation yet but I have been wondering what sort of scar I'll have. Will it be normal bikini line or worse because of the omentum and obviously it's a cancer op not normal hysterectomy?

[GBIRVMIC]

Hi Gleedy my scar is just below my breast bone right down to my pelvis bone and cut around my tummy button.. I guess 12" long. It's a huge scar and surgery does take it out of you and it does hurt trying to sit up, walk, cough and sneeze. I'm 12 wks after surgery and my scar remains very red and stings but I'm told surgery does take 12 months to heal. I wish you all the very best big hugs Michelle x

[Gleedy in reply to GBIRVMIC]

Thank you Michelle. I suspected as much. I hope you are feeling reasonably well with your recovery . Tracey x

[antheamary]

I didn't know what the omentum was but having all the lining removed sounds painful to me. As well as everything else. I still take pain relief 2 years on.

[Maus123]

I'm now more than 5 months past laparatomy surgery where omentum, peritoneum, gallbladder (stones not cancer but good riddance), appendix, ovaries, tubes, cervix, womb etc were removed and the biggest improvement happened within the first 8 days I'd say. After that it's just a gradually feeling less tired and experiencing all the little niggles going away one by one e.g. after 6 weeks I could sleep on my side again with no issues; after 12 weeks coughing stopped smarting; after 4 months my core muscles felt like they might actually be able to take some strain again.

Definitely not missing any of the removed parts per se.

Look after your bowels; make sure you walk/move a bit every day as soon as you get clearance for that from your doc.

The look of the scar depends a bit on how you tend to heal. I have keloid (?) scars by default so mine's up to a centimeter thick in some places but it doesn't hurt ; has never hurt to be honest so I just leave it be.

All the best for the op.

[Choski]

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy, (TAH BSO), removal of cervix, Fallopian tubes, both ovaries, plus removal of appendix on 8th March thus month. My scar is vertical from just below my belly button and 7.5 inches long. It was glued and taped. Doesn't look pretty at first plus swollen BUT it gives down and two weeks on its OK now. 

Good tip is to surround yourself with pillows when you sleep, sleep will probably be difficult at first - when I was in hospital I was checked every 30 mins at first , then every hour, so couldn't sleep when I got home.  I bought a V shaped pillow which still helps, plus use a small rectangular cushion to wedge down my side and support my abdomen, I'm a side sleeper but couldn't do that for about a week and the small cushion helped me sleep slightly off centre which was very helpful. I didn't get out of pyjamas for at least a week, hubby kept washing them so they were fresh which was great. Now I wear soft yoga pants, t-shirts and cardigans, didn't wear any knickers until my incision was at least a week old as they rubbed and made my scar bleed. Hope all goes well

[Choski]

Oh forgot to say Omentum was also taken out too! 

[Julie60]

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy with removal of ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, omentum and appendix 11 days ago. I am still in some pain but I feel I am getting better each day. Yes, big Granny knickers help and wearing trousers with comfy loose waistbands. Get plenty of rest- afternoon naps are highly recommended - and just gently potter at home. I've done a lot of sitting with my feet up, flashing my oh so sexy elasticated stockings... I felt very queasy around food and cooking smells and things tasted different- effect of the general anaesthetic I think. However,  my appetite is just starting to come back. Gentle walking is really useful- build up gradually round your local streets. The fresh air gives you a boost and the movement really helps with circulation and trapped wind (and yes, there is plenty of that!)

Good luck with your op. I've just had the fantastic news that my cancer was all contained in my ovary and hadn't spread, so I need no further treatment - though will be monitored for 2 years.