Living Donors Online Message Board
Living Donation Discussion and News => Living Donation Forum => Topic started by: twinkie on August 06, 2011, 04:18:45 PM
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I was just curious if you think that your recovery time is based upon where your main incision was done? My incision is located right above my navel, approx. 3 to 4 inches. I am not in my 8th week and I am still very limited on some of my activities, because I am listening to my body. I have a constant burning sensation behind the incision, which I am sure is just the nerves healing. I am aching to run and counting down to get out there without any pains behind the stomach muscle wall... This might be a silly question but I was just curious...
Love this journey that I am on!!!!! Update on Daddy Chuck, my kidney is working Fabulous for him and he is doing AWESOME!! Now that puts a smile on my face.....
Hugs to you all and God bless!! Lisa/Twinkie..
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Hey Lisa - so happy to hear you and Chuck are doing so well. It was several weeks before I was able to really get back into my work outs but I, as you, listened to what my body would allow me to do. Consistency is more important than intensity. Slowly work your way back into it. My mantra was my telling myself I would work through the pain, it would eventually diminish and each benchmark I made, I wanted to see if I could set and achieve a new one. Finally, I was well past my pre-op level of fitness and endurance. About 12 weeks ago (9 months post-op) I began running - couldn't finish a mile without stopping to walk at first. Now I run 3-6 miles per day and working to be at about 8-10 once/week by end of fall. You'll get there, just be smart about it. My incision is the same location and size. I started doing sit-ups and then incline sit-ups daily, before I know it, my incision pain was diminishing as my ab muscles healed and strengthened. You'll get there my friend.
Best of luck and keep us up on your progress - and the journey is incredible. Scott 8)
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Thank you Scott for your encouraging words. I am still thinking about the post I just read of yours and now my question isn't so important. Please know that you and your recipient are on my heart and mind!! Lisa/ Twinkie
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Thanks Lisa. Health questions are always important. Hope you are thinking about running with us next summer - if you haven't check out our facebook site Grandma's LDO runners. Take care my friend
Scott 8)
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I have a c-section style incision. It aches from time to time, but I have started to massage it to help with loosen the scar tissue.
Scar tissue will pull and tug from moving around. It gradually will loosen up and the pain will decrease.
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Mine was about a 3 inch incision immediately to the left of my belly button. The surgeon said that would cut less muscle, and rather more into the tough fascia tissue. I had two port holes to the left side of my abdomen. I don't remember any burning sensation, Lisa, but I do remember that it took a while before I didn't feel a deep "pulling" sensation when I moved a certain way. Don't hesitate to check with your transplant team if it bothers you. Hope you are doing well!
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Mine is a C-section, 3 inches wide. Scar on the right side is flat but pink yet, 5 months, but the left side is a little raised and sensitive, including below the surface. I have been massaging lotion on it and that seems to help. Really just started this in the last month.
I have a belly button scar where the main port went in, and three other smaller scars. One far left side, one under the left rib cage, and the third, 4 inches left and down from my bellybutton.
The far left one had a spit stitch and still feels like there is something in there. It is right at the waist line. I'll have it looked at at the 6 month check up.
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About two years ago, my wife had surgery to remove a growth from the bone in her left ankle. She came out of it all with a vertical scar about five inches long and quite bumpy. Her surgeon told her to massage the incision point with vitamin E oil and that would minimize the scar. I didn't try it on my laparoscopy scars but I guess it helped hers a bit. Something worth thinking about.
Scott 8)
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It's interesting to me how many different incision "styles" there are out there for a kidney donation! Mine starts at my belly button and goes down vertically about 4-5 inches. I also have 2 spots for the lap instruments (it was hand-assisted so only 2 ports.) At just over 3 weeks post-surgery it is healing really well. Just a little tender and occasional pulling/burning but not much discomfort any longer. Still a little bloated right on my belly...looking forward to that going down!
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Wow - this is an interesting question. I did not know there were so many different places for the main incision. Mine is horizontal about an inch above the pubic bone. It is a bit over 3 inches long. It looks very similar to my sister-in-laws C-Section scar.
Linda
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Mine is a C-section type of incision too. I also have 4 small spots where they put the lap instruments on my right side (they took my right kidney). My abdomen is still a little swollen and tender 8 weeks post-surgery. My weight has remained the same, but my clothes don't fit well because of the swelling. Every week i do notice that my discomfort and swelling is going down. I do daily brisk walking, but still not my usual running. We'll get there Lisa! :)
Hugs,
Angelica
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Mine is about 3 inches long and right below my bikini line.
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For an interesting article: "Scar Massage- How to Promote Healing" for donors and recipients, go to www.kidney.org and type "scar massage" in the "search" box.
Fr. Pat
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Mine is a C-section type of incision too. I also have 4 small spots where they put the lap instruments on my right side (they took my right kidney). My abdomen is still a little swollen and tender 8 weeks post-surgery.
I have the same incisions (we donated at the same hospital), except my small ones are on my left. See the info on scar massage posted below. Very helpful for comfortable healing, especially for the larger incision site.
Kara
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Actually went & measured my main incision after reading this . It is 9 1/2 inches long, starts low down in the hair & goes diagonally up & over the crest of my hip bone. It hardly bulges at all now. There are two other scars about an inch each, one beside my navel, that has the most internal scaring a huge mass & the second just below my ribs at the front that I've hardly noticed.
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As I read these posts, it made me wonder about my emergecy c-section I had 9 years ago. Do you think that will effect the doctors decison on choosing if I am a good candidate to be a donor? (probably a stupid question.. :-[)
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This is an intersting thread. I had the laproscopic procedure. The main incision is down very low and on my left side just above the crease where my left leg would bend. 2 small incisions above that. I attribute my rapid recovery to the fact that the incision is so low and left. The only time I really notice anything now (10 weeks post op) is when I am driving my excavator over rough terrain, it seems to bounce the innards up a bit! Other than that it is full steam ahead. I even had to use pick and shovel this past week on my house project.
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I am really amazed on how many different ways that the surgeons can remove your kidney. My question to those that have had it removed like myself, right above the navel approx 3 to 4 inches, how long did it take for this burning/stinging sensation go away. I am 9 weeks post op and there has not been a day that I haven't had pain behind or around the incision area. The best way I can describe it would be like bee stings, especially when I am walking and trying to do a slow jog.... If I hold my stomach in really tight as I walk/jog it helps a lot but then I have to go home everyday and put ice on that area... So do you think it is just the nerves healing and it will eventually go away? Other than that, I am doing great... Thank you for all your responses, definitely very interesting... Hugs and God Bless to you all! Lisa/Twinkie
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Lisa,
I remember my main incision hurting a bit for the first 4-6 weeks, but I don't recall that type of pain (the bee sting feeling). I do know that it was painful trying to get in and out of bed (awkward mostly I guess). I'm guessing you're spot-on about the pain being from the nerves healing. My surgeon said that abdominal incisions in individuals with more muscular core muscles, will generally take longer to heal. I'm guessing you probably fall into that category. Be patient, listen to your body and if it feels like your healing process isn't within the norm or you have more concerns, check with your coordinator and surgeons. Good luck and I hope the pain begins to pass more quickly as you get back into your routines. I hope you're able to run with us in Duluth next june in the Grandma's Half-Marathon to raise awareness for living organ donation. Prayers coming your way for God's healing power.
Scott 8)
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I am really amazed on how many different ways that the surgeons can remove your kidney. My question to those that have had it removed like myself, right above the navel approx 3 to 4 inches, how long did it take for this burning/stinging sensation go away. I am 9 weeks post op and there has not been a day that I haven't had pain behind or around the incision area. The best way I can describe it would be like bee stings, especially when I am walking and trying to do a slow jog.... If I hold my stomach in really tight as I walk/jog it helps a lot but then I have to go home everyday and put ice on that area... So do you think it is just the nerves healing and it will eventually go away? Other than that, I am doing great... Thank you for all your responses, definitely very interesting... Hugs and God Bless to you all! Lisa/Twinkie
My incision is the same as yours, approximately 3" vertical above my navel, and two port holes on the left side.
I didn't really have too much trouble with a burning sensation at the incision. All of my discomfort (aside from actually being cut) felt like seriously pulled muscles in my stomach. It took a while to get over that. And I swear I could "feel" that there was more...space?...in my torso after the kidney was removed. LOL! I've put on a few pounds to fill up the void!
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about 3 inches just above the pubic hair line....I can barely see the scar now...22 months after the surgery.
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I don't think the emergency c-section will effects your chances of being a donor. I had one emergency c-section and two planned ones and the doctors did not seem concerned. Because I am having a tummy tuck at the same time I will be wearing a band around my waist. It is supposed to provide support and help with swelling. I was given one one these after my c-sections as well. Do they have kidney donors wear them? If not, why not?
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4" straight up from top of penis to bottom of belly button
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I donated my 30% of my liver (my left lateral lobe) and have a large scar. It comes across the right side on my stomach then loops up (just above my belly button) and then straight up to about my breast bone (right on the edge of the bottom of my bra)....It's kinda like a "J" but the bottom part of the "J" goes across my belly longer. I love it!! :)
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I have two very small (about an inch) incisions on my left side, one near the bottom of my rib cage and one closer to my pelvic bone. My main incision starts about 1.5 inches from the bottom of my belly button and continues up on the right side of it and past it for about one inch or so (about 3.5 - 4 inches in length total)
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I had a C-section in 2007 so they went through my previous incision. I felt fine by day 3. It was actually less painful than when I had my C-section.
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My incision was supposed to be just below my belly button with the two small incisions on the left for the laproscopic portion. However, they cut through the stalk of my belly button and it was beyond repair. The TT cut out the previous scars and now I have a hip to hip hand stitched bikini line incision that should fade so that that you won't be able to really see it and a brand new belly button that looks pretty good. John, the recipient, has an L shaped scar or his lower right hand side of his abdomen. He is super proud of it.
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Mine is in the front, right at the belt line. It's horizontal and about 4 1/2 inches wide. I can hardly see it anymore.
Tom
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My main incision runs straight down from the navel about 3 inches. Then I have four small "puncture wounds" from the laparoscopic part, on the left side of my chest/belly. All were closed by surgical staples (which they used inside, also).
In fact, I just went back to the hospital today to have all my (outer) surgical staples removed. For those who are wondering--it's true it isn't very painful, because the staples just go straight in, and are not folded over underneath, the way they are when we staple paper together. So, they pretty much lift straight up and out, rather than tearing the skin.
On the other hand, to be frank, it did hurt a little bit having them out. I'd been told so many times that it didn't hurt, that I was slightly taken by surprise. And I don't really like that type of surprise.
Still, it only took about two minutes, and definitely was not very painful. Roughly like taking band-aids off a hairy part of the body, but not terrible.
Wishing everybody else a fully painless experience,
Snoopy
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All were closed by surgical staples (which they used inside, also).
This is another interesting point of comparison between different transplant centers, I think.
All of my incisions were closed with surgical glue, and I am a huge fan of that stuff! No stitches or staples to worry about or remove later. No steri-strips hanging on too long and getting grungy, and then having to pull them off (I had these for a previous surgery). No worrying about keeping incisions dry; showering immediately is allowed.
Kara
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My surgeon used the hand assisted laparascopic removal method.
I had a low horizontal bikini line incision. Lower than a c-section incision, in fact I had a bikini wax prior to the surgery and once it grew back at the top, the incision was hardly visible - it's about the length of my little finger now. I'm now just over 2 years post-donation and all the scar have really faded. I had 3 laparascopic ports, one of which has scarred more.
I had disolvable stitches in all the incision holes and all did disolve apart from one of the lap ports which had a longish knot on and I had to get the practice nurse at my GP surgery to remove it. Took her a fair amount of digging which is why it's more scarred but it's not a problem.
:)