His and Her Health

I had a vestibulectomy about 2 weeks ago & had some questions to others whom have had this procedure in regards to recovery:

1. How long does it typically take for the sutures to dissolve? Did any of you experience more pain/pulling of them as you healed?

2. I decided to look at myself at the 2 week mark & all I can say is that my vagina looks quite scary! All I see are lumps & bumps with stitches! I actually cannot even see my vaginal opening yet! Please tell me this is normal even 2 weeks post-op? Basically, my vagina does not resemble a vagina! It's freaking me out a bit. I hope with time, all this tissue smoothes itself out. How long does it take for the bumps, swelling, etc. to go down?

3. How long does it take for pain to subside? I'm sure this depends on the individual & their own healing time but curious to know a rough estimate.

4. Lastly, I feel the recovery is the most fearful time for me. I just so want the surgery to have worked & it's so scary because every bit of pain I feel that doesn't feel like "suture" pain makes me think that my old VVS pain is still there? Just today I had bad pain in an area that was always painful pre-op & I'm wondering if the surgeon removed this tissue? It feels like my left Bartholin gland duct which I thought was removed during a vestibulectomy? I know the Barth glands are still there but what happens to the ducts during this procedure?

Anyway, just wanted to know if other women experienced pain post-op in areas that were painful before surgery? If so, how long did it take for this pain to resolve? Very curious about this!

Thanks in advance for your feedback. Feel free to e-mail privately if you prefer.

I think we are all different, but it sounds like everything you are feeling is normal.

I have a deeper hymen (I was told) and was not able to see anything that was done during my surgery. But a friend of mine did experience what you describe in point 2.

And yes, the stitches can be itchy and/or irritating.

Also expect to have some pain when healing -- for months after surgery I would have random shooting pains. It's normal to think that every pain means the VVS isn't gone... Just remember you have to give it time. The skin needs to heal, and scar tissue can form until about 18 months after surgery, and you can have some pelvic floor muscle tightness from years of pain and trauma.

I'm a year post-op and am just now feeling totally pain-free. For a long time I was terrified that every little pain meant I still had VVS, and I'm just now beginning to be convinced that it's gone.

Hi JES,

Thanks for replying back to me. You mentioned that you have a "deeper" hymen therefore could not see anything after surgery .....

I thought the hymen is completely removed during a vestibulectomy? Anyway, glad to hear you are doing well. Also glad to know that your friend experienced some of the same things I have (re: post-op appearance of vagina).

I just meant that the area that was excised (around the hymen) was allegedly deeper than on some women...

What you are feeling with your stitches is normal. For the first few weeks they pulled and burned when I peed. Several times a stitch would dissolve on one end yet still be attached on the other. Think of the stitch as having a tail that was over an inch long. This tail would stick to me and then every time I moved or took a step it would pull the part that was still attached. Ouch. Twice I had my husband cut off the tail while leaving the part that was still attached to me. Made a world of difference.

I am now 6 weeks post surgery and things are finally looking back to normal when I use a mirror. Haven't tried to test the new skin though, still waiting on doc approval.

Hang in there.

oh, i wish this wasn't written so long ago...my vagina looks scary too, and i am in severe pain at almost the 3 week mark...in spite of being told by two male doctors unfamiliiar with procedure today that there is no infection, i believe i had wound dehescience following lifting and exertion done too soon (unavoidable circumstance of living alonen during building renovations and xmas season)...

pretty much regretting it at this point....

Artchic, if at all possible see or speak to your surgeon or his nurse about your pain and concern. Have you had a follow-up with your surgeon yet? Don't become discouraged. You did seem to over-do when you should have been resting, but stuff happens. Good luck on your recovery and do see your surgeon.

Hi, thanks for responding..the problem is my post op appointment is scheduled for jan 19th...they don't seem to be in the office this week...there is only one person in town doing the procedure and i can't reach her...i am going to my familly doctor this morning...up all night waiting to phone at 9:30...

i had no choice about over-doing - had no help to move things...and i did feel much better at the time...they didn't really emphasize why i needed to be more stationary...it was an unfortunate situation with renovations...

I wish I could see my surgeon because she is the only person who knows what it should be looking like at this point, but I will have to get a third opinion this morning from another gp...in a lot of pain...

thanks again,
artchic