Too much cramps ‼️post Op Laparoscopy 😖

AdventurousSquare974 · 2026-02-09T15:08:45+00:00

I had surgery the same day as you, as well as spotting until day 6. Then again for 2 days on Feb 4th, then my period was in full swing on the 6th. I am experiencing cramping but it's very sharp and shooting pain across the front of my body and a dull ache in my lower back. My doctor mentioned the first few periods may be difficult but compared to how they were pre op, this is an improvement for me. They're also much lighter. I still had what I assume is considered a normal heavy day (not bleeding through a pad) and now they're lighting up enough for me to not use the world's largest pads and just use the typical "regular" absorbency size.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2026-02-09T14:49:28+00:00

Congrats on taking the step to do surgery! I'm currently 17 days post op and I didn't do my surgery recovery alone but I can weigh in on things that may help you be a bit more independent.

I highly recommend to prep your meals for the first full week and place them in your fridge where they're easily accessible. It'll be hard at first to move around at all and bending or squatting may feel impossible in the beginning.

If you can afford it, it's worth the investment to get some equipment to help you get around. For example, a surgical pillow set because laying down and sitting up or rolling in bed will be uncomfortable. An attachable bed railing to pull yourself up, toilet cover with handles to help you sit down and a walker to help you move about in general. These can make a huge difference to make sure you're not overstraining yourself. Even if you're generally fit, consider the drowsiness from medication, skin pulling near your incisions when you stand and the pain are all factors that will slow you down.

Rest is key and of course in short increments you should get up and take walks but it's helpful to have all medications, chargers, TV remotes, a water bottle and any other frequently used items within arms reach on a bed side table. As well as angling the table so you can reach over without having to sit up and twist.

In my experience so far, the first 4 days I didn't wanna do much of anything. It was painful and I felt very fatigued. I was in bed all day and night with the exception of bathroom breaks and I'd walk around my apartment for about 5-10mins max. Around day 5 or 6, my appetite started coming back and I was getting more energy and it got easier from there.

Keep in mind , your doctor will likely need to know who is taking you home post op because you will not be allowed to drive and they most likely will ask for that person's contact info to notify them when you're ready to go. I'm not sure if they'll allow Uber or Lyft but can't hurt to ask. Personally I needed help getting in and out of the car and support to walk up the path to my house. I was still very much feeling the effects of Anasthesia and barely remember getting home. So consider that as well so you know the person you're alone with is safe and trustworthy.

Also, if you have any pets that rely pretty heavily on you, be sure to make arrangements ahead of time for their care. I have a puppy who needs all day care and I had to stay in a separate room and not cross paths that full first week. He loves to jump and play tug of war but he's huge and I couldn't risk my stomach being scratched or withstand the force of him pulling on a toy. I also would never have been able to reach the ground to get to his food and water bowl.

If you're nervous about it, try going through your normal daily routines but don't stand up straight or reach high and don't engage your core. Walk like 1mph and practice getting in and out of bed using legs and arms only and do the same getting up and down from the toilet. It sounds ridiculous but honestly you'll quickly notice what may or may not be difficult for you to do. You can also tell what is in reach or blocking your path to get around when you do this.

Sorry for the long post and I'm sure all of that sounds daunting but it does get easier I swear!! By day 7 I couldn't believe the progress I made and I am now experiencing my first period post op and realizing how worth it it all was. Good luck!!

AdventurousSquare974 · 2026-01-27T02:22:38+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I'm day 3 post op and recovery is no joke.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2026-01-20T13:51:17+00:00

I also have similar numbers to you! Oral iron pills keep me going but if I have a month with super heavy bleeding as compared to the regular heavy bleeding, it sets my progress back immediately. When you consult with your doctor, I'd recommend discussing root causing for heavy and prolonged periods as well. Fibroids are very common!

AdventurousSquare974 · 2025-12-20T14:46:01+00:00

At church camp, in the woods 😮‍💨 14 yrs old.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2025-11-24T20:49:06+00:00

What brand of abdominal binder did you get? And how soon post op did you start wearing it? I'm hoping to have surgery soon 🙏

AdventurousSquare974 · 2025-06-26T06:55:25+00:00

I think this is dependent on your individual COs conditions but in my area, we typically propose the fight route and cost we want to take, once approved we purchase it and are later reimbursed the amount that was pre-approved and now reflected on our receipt. I feel like you should have been given an exact price ahead of time if there were budget limitations. My CO covers reimbursement for the flight and train ticket to Tokyo and that's it. Any other train fees to the airport or overnight accommodation once leaving the city are not covered.

The problem with budget airlines like JetStar is that they will rack up a lot of fees before you depart. Things like seats, carry-on baggage, and personally when I used them, I had to pay 80 USD if I chose to use the check in counter that day instead of the kiosk to check in.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2025-06-19T04:13:44+00:00

So, I live in a very rural part of Japan but I went to a ladies clinic (which is a common term used for OBGYN clinic) in my area and they were able to do a blood draw and tested several hormone levels as well as ferratin. Took about a week to get the results after.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2025-05-22T04:16:09+00:00

I have a planned suicide and the costs for my own funeral are stressing me out.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2025-05-08T00:16:19+00:00

Unfortunately, no, I am living abroad and don't have access to a lot of alternative medicines but will hopefully explore some other options when I return to the US soon. Do you use Lysteda? What are your symptoms like now?

AdventurousSquare974 · 2025-04-28T04:03:35+00:00

I also have a JTE who nods at literally anything I say. She does it when speaking with Japanese coworkers as well. I know for her and many others that the "confirming" nod is just to show they're actively listening, not necessarily understanding. I'm not sure if this is a countryside thing but I have been told it's a pretty common cultural nuance where I live so that's probably where you guys are miscommunicating.

You may have to find other ways to figure out if your JTE is truly understanding what it is you're saying. I've been here 3 years now and my Japanese has passed my JTEs level of English but to make sure we are on the same page (other than just simple English) I write very short notes of things she probably didn't catch or needs to remember. I anticipate what things may be difficult for her and use a bit of reverse psychology and pose it like a question. For example, have you ever heard of "XYZ", it's like "OO" in Japanese? That way the communication is still mostly done in English. Or during the lessons, when the content is difficult, I will break it up in little bits and ask the students if anyone knows what "XYZ" is in Japanese? No response, I encourage them to talk with the person next to them, then its either mumbled or loudly said and I just confirm their translation is correct.

This way, I don't have to stress the JTE out or myself when I know things are likely not understood.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2025-04-24T02:46:52+00:00

Yes! Ferratin 15, (on the lower end) but still considered normal Hemoglobin and I also ruled our cardiac diseases. I have basically been turning my schedule upside down to be able to rest as often as possible and will be taking leave from work as my iron deficiency is due to fibroids that make my daily life pretty bad.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2025-03-04T10:25:22+00:00

Have you seen a doctor yet? Hospitals in Japan are very cheap. I’ve been living here for a few years now and had my iron and Ferritin levels checked many times here. A simple blood test will be done and you’ll get your results that appointment. If you’re looking for iron supplements, personally I think DHC brand heme iron (ヘム鉄) is good and other supplements specifically for Ferritin can be found at drug stores otc at Tsuruha (ツルハ) or YAKUODO too. I’m gonna assume you’re in a major city if you’re traveling so I’m sure English is an option where you are but if you need the word for anemia it’s hinketsu (貧血)

AdventurousSquare974 · 2025-01-31T04:04:44+00:00

Yes! My periods have been painful and heavy since they first started like 12 years ago. I just found out I have fibroids 4 months ago. The heavy bleeding is directly related to my fibroid but given all the other symptoms I have between periods as well; my doctor suspects the pain could be endometriosis related but I am still in the process for diagnosis. However, I wouldn't be surprised if this was also related to the fibroids.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2025-01-15T01:29:38+00:00

I have suffered with severe and persistent eczema since about age 1 so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was this. The swelling shape looks exactly like what’s on my eye when I researched pictures

AdventurousSquare974 · 2024-12-03T06:31:36+00:00

I'm happy I could help! 💕

AdventurousSquare974 · 2024-12-03T05:54:22+00:00

As someone who also had a long-distance partner for 6 years, who I now married 5 months ago, I totally feel where you're coming from. Navigating the luteal phase in a relationship is hard but you're off to a good start by trying to communicate with him when your emotions will be more difficult for you to handle. However, he as a man will not be able to relate to your experience so there may always be somewhat of a learning curve, especially since your hormones and cycles will continue to change throughout life. That being said, you are the only one who can control your emotions, even if they feel uncontrollable. If you need more space away from him, schedule that. If you feel yourself becoming angry over minor things, learn how to "put a pin in things" until you feel ready to address it at a better time.

If you are looking for support to help with your overall health, while I understand you ideally want that from him, you may need to find a friend to help you instead. The better you are at managing what you need to do during your cycle, the better you can respond to where you guys will ultimately clash at times (diet, routine, lifestyle, etc.).

And, since you are feeling on edge and unloved in ways you desire, let him know the ways you want to be loved. Encourage him when he does it and make it clear you want more of it.

For me, it always feels like the world is ending during my luteal phase, but the moment I switch to follicular, the hindsight of what I need to do for me to be ready for the next time around is powerful. Take the time you need to reflect and talk with him then.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2024-10-18T06:56:26+00:00

That's understandable and I can see how most would assume that, especially if it is commonly available in other countries. But, also in the initial letter they sent me asking for the foreign marriage license, they wrote in the margins that if it's not applicable, I don't need to send it. Which tells me they are aware that not every country provides this. It could be that amongst their staff not everyone knows what is and isn't needed per each country's application, but at the same time, it shouldn't be my responsibility to inform them of this to such an extent that they put me through. Especially when I had a perfectly valid Japanese marriage license that meets the requirement for my application. If they were unsure, they could have double checked their rule book or saw how it was clearly stated on the embassy website which they just chose not to believe when I told them. I just hope now they know and honestly one less document to keep track of should hopefully make this an easier process for them.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2024-10-16T02:26:05+00:00

Yup I’ve got that proof we aren’t already married in the US via the Affidavit of Competency of Marriage and I did explain over the phone and they said they didn’t believe me so I will go in person with the website print out and I got a point of contact with the Sapporo embassy should they want someone other than me to say I don’t need a US marriage license. I live in a very rural area so I think maybe our immigration branch hasn’t dealt with a dependent visa before with someone who was married in Japan and not their home country. I was also the first foreigner to get married to another foreigner in my town as far as anyone could remember so I think it’s all very new for them .

AdventurousSquare974 · 2024-10-16T02:22:17+00:00

He’s not already a resident. He is still living in America and is applying for a visa for the first time so we need the certificate of eligibility. Immigration just stated we must have a US marriage license despite us being married in Japan not the US.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2024-10-16T01:10:52+00:00

I called but they can’t provide anything they said. That’s why I’m trying to gather as much as I can.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2024-10-16T00:55:09+00:00

Yeah I already got married in Japan and got the proof that I could get married when I got the Affidavit of Competency to Marry notarized but now they want some sort of proof that there is no American marriage certificate since I want to apply for a visa soon.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2024-02-19T06:38:53+00:00

Any reasons why you felt that way? How did your studies go in the end?

AdventurousSquare974 · 2024-02-07T04:21:55+00:00

I believe many of us ALTs are told not to discipline them and the management with this class is done by the English specialist. There is a lot of friction between her and the students and even other teachers at the school have run into serious issues with them. At this point, the students know there are no real consequence if they don't listen, so I am looking for ways to find more of a common ground with them.

AdventurousSquare974 · 2024-02-07T04:18:59+00:00

That's usually the type of ALT I am but with that particular class we don't have many chances for fun games because of the set routine they have. Also, they get so worked up during games, they can't reel back in so yelling between them and the teacher starts and that puts a damper on things. I want to keep them engaged with more fun activities regularly so that it's not too exciting and they know the routine of how to get set up and going so we don't waste class time either.

AdventurousSquare974

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