Recovery After Abdominal Surgery

Women are much more likely to have to go through abdominal surgery than men. Abdominal surgery is often invasive, and it requires a lengthy recovery time that causes women to miss work and be unable to perform normal activities. The pain and lack of mobility following abdominal surgery can be debilitating for many women. Many women are not prepared before surgery for how the healing process will go, and they are caught off guard when they find themselves in bed and with severe discomfort. At Medici Spine & Pain, we offer surgical recovery assistance to help patients restore function in their bodies so that they can get back to their normal lives as quickly as possible.

Women who undergo a Cesarean birth, hysterectomy, or a hernia repair can typically benefit greatly from physical therapy. While “post-op instructions” are given to the patient, there is truly no straightforward way to prepare a woman for recovery from such an invasive surgical procedure. Abdominal surgery can often lead to weakened abdominal muscles and weakened pelvic floor muscles. This weakness can lead to pain, urinary incontinence, bloating, and digestive issues. Weakened abdominal muscles can also cause poor posture and back pain as the body continues to lean forward without strength in the core.

The pain that some women experience after a Cesarean birth is often excruciating. If the surgical procedure was done in a rush due to an emergency, the incision might be crooked, causing scar tissue to develop and cause issues with intercourse or bowel movements. Regardless of whether a Cesarean was pre-planned or performed at the last minute, this surgical procedure cuts through layers of skin and muscle. During the procedure, the intestines are lifted out of the abdominal cavity and, while still attached to the body, are placed off to the side in a medical, stainless steel bowl. The uterus is then cut into in order to birth the baby or babies inside. This is no walk in the park for a woman. Even the healthiest and fittest women can experience extreme difficulty recovering from this highly invasive procedure. It is almost impossible to pre-determine who will have difficulty with abdominal surgery recovery and who will not, but physical therapy can make a remarkable difference in recovery.

At Medici Spine & Pain, we can help patients who are experiencing post-operative pain get relief. Women recovering from a Cesarean, hysterectomy, or hernia repair have the advantage of knowing the source of their pain. Our practice will focus our attention on creating the most effective option to relieve post-surgical pain so that your recovery can speed up, and you can get back to your normal life. Contact us to schedule an appointment.