I had a laparascopy last Tuesday, with only a small stitch in my belly button and one at the very bottom of my stomach.

Three days after the surgery my daughter decided to climb Mt Mommy while I was holding her, and before I could stop her put her tiny little 1 year old toes in my navel. I can't see the stitch but I bled for quite a while, so I assume it was torn.

The next day I tore the other one vacuuming. Just a tiny spot of blood.

I tried to call the doctor today but even after three calls and two messages, they didnt' get back to me. I think the phone is down because I kept getting a strange message, and well that is an Army hospital so the phone will probably be down all week

My question is simply if there is anything I need to do for the torn stitch in my navel. It hurts really bad today, but is not hot, no discharge, no redness, and no fever. Actually, it hurts below my navel, and the pain is in the...I don't know what it's called. Meat? Not in my abdominal cavity, but the skin and below.

Thanks.

The stitches dissolve by themselves from the heat of the body, and the pain you are feeling is more likely from the trauma of the procedure. Refrain from taking any tub baths for a few more days.

I agree.. do not soak in any water. Also, carefully cleanse the site with soapy water and rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Do not lift any heavy weight above 15 pounds or so (or as well as you can avoid that) so that your body can have a little vacation to heal. If you get a fever or start having any icky drainage or odor from the site, or redness and warmth at the site, see your doctor as soon as possible.

You should cover your belly button with some gauze and hold it with white surgical tape. Keep the gauze on for a few days until that stitch heals. You don't want to keep reopening it by having something hit it. Keeping it clean and covered also will prevent the open stitch from getting infected.

After a week you still shouldn't feel that much discomfort. I did have a tubal ligation last year so I know exactly the pain you are describing. You aren't giving yourself a chance to heal. In your post you said you were holding your daughter and she was climbing on you. If you must have your daughter lay on you, make sure you have a pillow between her head and your tummy. You shouldn't be vacuuming either. If in the next few days the pain is still there, you need to see your doctor. He/She should have scheduled you for a followup anyway. You shouldn't be doing any strenuous activity at all. (Your doctor should have told you that and you should have listened. )

Post Op Care and Questions

Oh they told me that, and I did not go bowling (sigh...) but I have no choice in caring for the children or cleaning. My husband's shop gave him two weeks off before the surgery but less than one after (don't ask...they're idiots sometimes).

It barely hurts at all today, so whatever it was yesterday has healed or passed. Now all that hurts is inside, only a little. Oh, and the bottom stitch ITCHES LIKE CRAZY!! I've never had stitches before, my husband said it's normal for them to itch, but it's driving me nuts lol!

I'm supposed to see the doctor 3-4 weeks after the surgery (yesterday was 1 week) but their phone is STILL down. I can't make an appointment if I can't get through! By the time they fix their darn phone I'll have to wait a month to get in. Urg that's annoying!

Thanks guys for your answers, I'm going to try and do less but really, it needs to be done What is it they say about women's work, it's never done? Darn right.

Mx2

How you feeling now? Any better?