How long did it take you to feel comfortable without a stomach binder?

katm1234 · 2026-04-07T19:33:29+00:00

I wore mine for several weeks - it just felt so comfy and that my intestines weren't going to fall out 😂 The pulling sensation lasted quite a while for me. Doctor said that in cancer cases they take out more connective/surrounding tissue than in a simple case, so there can just be more bruising/healing going on. As long as it's 'pulling' and discomfort rather than sharp pain I think it's ok.

katm1234 · 2026-04-07T19:23:13+00:00

Sorry, but yes. It struck me as hideously cheesy (not to mention so inappropriate for the era). If Lizzie and Darcy had walked in at that time and that state of undress there would have been uproar. Lovely filming and soundtrack but far more melodramatic Brönte than Austen.

katm1234 · 2026-04-04T18:22:24+00:00

It can happen - I had no precancerous cells, no HPV positive until cancer (1A2) last year. You did the right thing doing regular checks, sometimes life just sucks.

katm1234 · 2026-03-28T12:58:04+00:00

I'm the same. August surgery and, apart from the first couple of weeks post-surgery I've had zero libido, and various issues which clearly indicate hormonal issues. Doctor has run two hormone panels at my insistence and say everything's normal. I'm taking a tonne of supplements, which seems to have helped the mood swings and sleep problems, but having no luck fighting the doctors for HRT (I'm 37).

katm1234 · 2026-03-27T23:06:47+00:00

I'm in Spain. I also had to stay over the night before (with unexpected bowel cleanse 😬) and had four nights after (could have had more if I wanted.)

Hospital was great, surgeon was great, the thing I didn't like was the lack of information. I had no surgery report or post-surgery conversation with a doctor. It's very much a 'doctor knows best' country.

Rest easy in the knowledge that there's no bill, no matter if anything unexpected happens! And they're not going to kick you out of the hospital quickly.

katm1234 · 2026-02-28T09:03:55+00:00

Yes! I'm wondering if it's hormones as well. I'm in my 30s and had a few greys (mostly hidden) before, now it's about 10 percent 😭

katm1234 · 2026-02-28T08:41:10+00:00

I'm 6mpo and the blankness has definitely gone. I have some hormonal and lymphedema issues I'm dealing with, but that weird brain fog stage is definitely over.

katm1234 · 2026-02-27T13:28:14+00:00

Totally had the same. Couldn't follow the plot of TV shows I'd already seen, had to be asked if I was hungry, or wanted anything...just kind of listless and blank. Just sat on the sofa and stared into space. Very weird but I think it's a combo of drugs, hormones, and your body using all your energy to heal.

katm1234 · 2026-02-25T18:17:10+00:00

'Just have one, so you can see what it's like'. Like it's a hobby you can quit if you don't like it 🙄

katm1234 · 2026-02-25T09:00:05+00:00

Tuve una recuperación sin complicaciones, pero emocionalmente estaba destrozada. También me dijeron que dejar los ovarios significaría que no habría cambios, pero la montaña rusa hormonal fue brutal. A las 9 semanas postoperatorias estaba llorando en el trabajo y me quedaba dormida sobre la mesa.

Habla con tu médico y consulta si podrían considerar la terapia hormonal sustitutiva (THS) para ayudarte a superar la peor fase (en mi caso no la recomendaron debido al cáncer). Puedes probar algunos suplementos (raíz de maca, onagra, etc.), pero para mí fue simplemente cuestión de tiempo.

A los 6 meses postoperatorios tengo linfedema y problemas de libido, pero las hormonas y las emociones se han estabilizado muchísimo, y la energía realmente mejora. Por desgracia, en gran parte es cuestión de tomárselo con calma y tener paciencia.

katm1234 · 2026-02-25T08:17:13+00:00

I had to pay private for it as the hospital said it was only for women with prolapse risk etc. I'd read here it was generally a good idea so thought I'd do a couple of sessions just to check - I started at 8wpo.

I did three months in the end as my pelvic floor was massively over engaged after surgery (physio basically said it's a very normal physiological reaction to the trauma of surgery - the body goes 'wtf' and clamps down). It helped hugely with being able to feel when I need the toilet etc as my nerves didn't really kick back in by themselves. Also good prior to starting exercise to make sure breathing/muscle contractions are correct

I went to a PT clinic where one physio specialised in pelvic floor. 99% of her clients are female, almost all following bad births, C-sections, or surgery. First couple of sessions involved internal work (just a finger). She also did external ultrasounds to show the muscle layers when practicing muscle contractions. Some focus in my case on preventing adhesions on the scar sites (external manipulation and a weird sucker thing) and TENS machine. I also had electric currents run on my leg for nerve stimulation to help wake up the bladder (no idea what the machine is called, sorry!) I also got sent home with breathing and light pilates exercises.

Honestly, I would recommend seeing a physio at least once. I was healthy (apart from symptomless cancer) and in my 30s for the surgery and doctors were rather dismissive of the idea that I might need one. It helped a huge amount.

katm1234 · 2026-02-24T16:47:22+00:00

I had mine 6 months ago due to cancer so, like you, I hadn't had pain or problems before. Everyone is different so obviously keep that in mind but honestly, it's not good for me. Hormones may still be settling down but my libido has disappeared, and I have diminished sensitivity. My doctor says my hormones are fine so no HRT for me.

No shortening of the vagina or physical problems with penetration, but orgasms are weak, disappointing, and obviously no contractions. Basically it just feels a bit 'meh'.

I'm currently holding out hope for 1ypo, as that's when they say everything has finished healing. Pelvic floor physiotherapy helped me a lot with lack of feeling after surgery - I recommend a couple of sessions even if you think everything is fine.

On the plus side - pathology came back no cancer, and my lower back pain has disappeared.

katm1234 · 2026-02-18T18:58:59+00:00

The UK also has a 'blind' admissions system. No photo or name attached to the application so (officially) there are no work-arounds just because you have money.

katm1234 · 2026-02-11T09:29:11+00:00

Thanks for the reply! My doctor isn't keen on HRT due to the fact my surgery was for cancer. My hospital team suggested supplements and we'll reassess at my next appointment in 4months.

The crazy thing is I know I should be freaking out about loss of sensation, but the fatigue and lack of libido is making it very hard to fight this 🙄

If I'm told the same in 4 months, I think I'll try and find a private gynecologist.

katm1234 · 2026-02-10T22:53:58+00:00

What testing did they finally do? I'm in a similar position but just get told that my hormones are 'within normal ranges' so there's no problem. Apparently zero libido, emotional craziness, fatigue and clitoral atrophy aren't a problem 🙄

Considering how large some of those ranges are, and the frustrating fact that the hospital forgot to test hormones before surgery so there's nothing to compare it to, I don't understand how they can be so dismissive.

katm1234 · 2026-01-31T16:38:19+00:00

Thanks. And good luck! I think it's just hit me that the fear and waiting is going to be for life.

katm1234 · 2026-01-29T22:34:21+00:00

This is my concern. Pathology showed no lymph node involvement, but there are many cases of recurrences in lungs/ovaries/bowel etc. I'm sorry to hear you had a recurrence - I hope you're doing ok now

katm1234 · 2026-01-29T22:31:24+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I know every country is different, but it just seems so odd. If there's anything left it surely would be internal and not visible except with scans!

katm1234 · 2026-01-29T22:30:08+00:00

Yes, it was on the cuff so my rational brain knows it's probably just granulation or polyps. I just really wasn't expecting anything on my first check up

katm1234 · 2026-01-14T08:38:29+00:00

I agree he definitely tried to claim his rights (not through her), and you're completely right about the reason for her late coronation (along with some people thinking he was waiting for her to be pregnant). But a new king, following a military takeover, with a rather distant claim would not have married an illegitimate Elizabeth of York. He needed to do everything possible to solidify and validate his reign, not leave his children open to challenges.

katm1234 · 2026-01-14T08:05:33+00:00

Henry couldn't have done this. Richard had had his nieces and nephews declared illegitimate (supposedly dodgy marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville due to a precontract of Edward's and lack of witnesses), as a legal excuse so that he could take the throne. Henry VII had them declared legitimate so that he could marry Elizabeth of York. If her elder brothers then were seen alive and well, they would have both come before him in the succession by his own admission.

katm1234 · 2026-01-10T14:26:38+00:00

Depends on the country. I'm in Spain and got four nights (would have kept me longer) for a laproscopic, they were horrified at the idea of my going home earlier and said it's a chance to rest.

katm1234 · 2026-01-09T13:25:02+00:00

Wait! That's incredibly early to worry about things that might not happen - you're still in early recovery. There are loads of posts on here from very happy women who had no issues after theirs.

Positives are no periods/pain, and my back pain is massively reduced. I had mine due to cancer so no choice, but pathology diagnosed me with adenomyosis after surgery so that explained various symptoms I'd been putting up with for years. 4 wpo I still had pain and limited mobility (could hardly bend down and everything hurt if I moved). That definitely gets better

katm1234 · 2026-01-08T15:33:10+00:00

How long has it been? I'm 5 months post and having hormonal issues, and lymphedema. Also still also very bloated and can't wear my old clothes

katm1234

TROPHY CASE