i need some advice and reassurance as i'm freaking out and making mysekf ill with anxiety.
I've had swelling in my pubic area, groin and inner thigh area more on the left side since 1 day post op. Ive been terrified of developing lymphodaema since I was told of the risk when I first saw my consultant about my surgery.
I've been told by my consultant its normal and is only a problem if its still there 6 weeks post op. I'm now 10 days post op and am getting increasingly worried about it as my swelling on my stomach has gone down a lot.
It almost disappears overnight as I sleep with my groin elevated on a pillow but then by evening it's swollen and sore again. It feels just like water under my skin, theres no pitting or firmness.
Did anyone have these symptoms initially and then they went away? If so how many weeks did it take?
I've booked myself in for a private lymph drainage massage next week just so I can feel im doing something about it. Also might buy some control pants to see if they help to move the fluid.
I would really appreaciate your responses because i'm going out of my mind with worry about what the future holds.
I didn't have surgery however I had many lymph nodes zapped! It sounds like its draining every night which is a good sign. If your doctor said it's not a concern at this time I would check in before going for the massage or buying any sort of compression garments. If they aren't fitted right it can actually make things worse.
I am not familiar with recovery time which is why I suggest checking in first. Make sure the massage won't interfere with recovery!
Is it a cancer specialist doing the massage? I have lymphoedema and deep tissue massage is forbidden as it can increase chances of spreading the cancer. It is far too early to be worrying anyway. It takes ages for post surgery swelling to dissipate. Give it time!
Thank you so much for replying. I’m so down and feel like I’m out of control with the anxiety and worry. I keep getting different advice from different people so its confusing me. I guess I should leave it alone but I’m worried if the swelling gets worse it will get out of hand.
I had surgery last year and was very swollen, black and blue in that area - it did go down with time. It felt horrible at the time but after a few weeks it was remarkable how quickly things started to improve every day. xxx
Give it a chance! I take it the surgery you have just had is a hysterectomy? Have you the faintest idea how massive an operation that really is? Of course your body is going to take a while to get over an assault like that. I think we are all advised to give it between six and eight weeks before we can begin to start feeling normal. Let it sort itself out before paying someone to beat it up.
Thank you for your responses lovely ladies. Im going to leave the swelling alone as I have my check up and histology results on Monday so I can see what the consultant says then. I am only 2 weeks and 3 days post hysterectomy and lymph node disection so it's early days still for the healing process. My groin/pubic swelling goes up and down and almost disappears over night. I'm hopeful it will sort itself out over the next few weeks.
Mine freaked me out. I've been terrified of getting lymphedema in my legs but I didn't even know you could get it in the groin. Luckily though, it went away somewhere between week 2 & 3. I'm now in week 5 post-op and it hasn't come back. I hope yours goes away too, if it hasn't already.
Im 14 weeks post op from a Radical Hysterectomy which was performed key hole, following cervical cancer 1b1. To put it bluntly I have a bladder and a bowel left and not much else! I have had the excess fluid in the groin area and thighs which started when I returned home from hospital. The more I seem to move about the more fluid appeared. I went back to the hospital and they said its normal following this surgery. However, being bloated is horrible and uncomfortable and so I searched and searched the internet for advice and have found the following works for me.
Massage the back of your knees about twenty times each. Then lift up your arms and rub your arm pits the same. Then lightly brush your groin area upwards towards your heart and lastly brush your thighs downwards towards your knees.
I do this everytime I go in the shower now.
As I had my lymph nodes removed during surgery the fluid needs to be encouraged to move differently now. The massages stimulates the lymph nodes at the back of your knees and armpits to help move the fluid. It worked for me. I lost seven pounds of fluid in two weeks.
