Post Surgery Question
I was not prepared for how much I would bleed after surgery. I was told it would be a few days of spotting but it's been pretty heavy flow all 6 days. My doctor's office said as long as it wasn't a faucet, I was fine. Now I have cramps and I'm passing clots, like a normal period. I was supposed to start my period this weekend but I'm wondering, could I have started early? Most of what I'm reading says I shouldn't have a period for 4 to 6 weeks, but is it possible this is my cycle and not post surgery bleeding? There is not enough literature out there to put my mind at ease! And I'm over the blood already! Whew, there will be a major celebration when this is over!!!
Endo12345 Isn't it frustrating how we can be bleeding so much and doctors say we're probably fine? I was bleeding quite a bit after my last surgery and talked to my doctor and then went to the ER for 13 hours...and they sent me home saying they couldn't find anything wrong after a CT and ultrasound and exam. I did stop bleeding a few days later. I suppose you could be having a period earlier than expected...anything is possible. I would say keep following up with your doctor and if the flow gets even heavier or concerning in some way to you, call your doctor again and/or go to the ER (and I don't recommend that lightly). I hope you're through the worst of it soon! ~Katrina, Endometriosis.net Advocate
the worst and so angering like Katrina said, that doctors don't take heavy bleeding seriously. I would absolutely keep following up with your doctor or go to the ER like Katrina suggested. I will say this though,
I definitely bled a bunch after mine and my actual period was supposed to start a few days later. Typically the first period after surgery is the worst. And that is exactly what I had experienced. From what I have read,
I have never seen anything about not getting your period during its normal time frame after surgery. So I think it could very well be your period and just intense because of your surgery you just had. But
obviously I am not a doctor so I definitely suggest you keep following up with someone, especially if you start to feel any other symptoms that make you just not feel right. I do hope this passes quickly for you.
Please keep us posted. Sending gentle hugs and good thoughts. -Kimberli (advocate)I understand your frustration, I bled for 3 weeks after my excision surgery but the pain was all gone
I am so glad to hear your pain was gone after surgery! Though, the bleeding part sounds like it probably wasn’t the greatest. How are you feeling these days? - Keri (endometriosis.net team member)
I want to thank you all for replying. While some parts of this recovery have been easier than I thought, other parts have been much more difficult than I had anticipated. The mental toll it's taken has been a surprise and when I posted this last night, I was just exhausted by the whole thing. But then I saw a response and I felt less alone and then I got more and I realized there are people who do understand and who do care. I was trying to get through this in my own little silo and it wasn't working. Thank you for showing me what this community is about and helping me to get out of my own head! And also for the advice. It means more than you can know.
We are so happy that you are a part of the community. And it warms my heart to know that our words have helped you feel a little better. You are definitely not alone in feeling overwhelmed with recovery or what to expect post surgery. And I know how scary any unexpected and longer-term bleeding can be, which is why I always ask my fellow endo warriors AND my doctor about it, so I can get some peace of mind from different places. We are here anytime you need us! - Keri (team member)
