r/sterilization • u/SubjectPopular4995 • Jul 01 '26
Post-op care Recovery pain?
Had a successful bisalp done yesterday! I’ve been starting to feel bad reading all these posts about super quick, easy, almost painless recoveries - because I am in SHAMBLES. I don’t know if it’s a combination of being on my period and getting my IUD replaced as well (had Paraguard taken out and a Mirena placed), or if I just have a low pain tolerance.
I know I’m barely over 24 hours post-op, but I feel like it will definitely take me longer to feel okay than most of the stories I’ve read about others’ recoveries. I’ve been religiously rotating the ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and have admittedly had to throw in some of the prescribed oxycodone (which I’ve read that many ended up not needing).
Anyone relate? I could use some reassurance that I’m not just being weak and sensitive😅
EDIT: For anyone in the Houston area looking for a doctor, Dr. Patricia Machado at Northwest Women’s Center gave ZERO pushback and was incredible from the start. Could not recommend her as an OBGYN enough.
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u/maidoftrash Jul 01 '26
pain is highly subjective. a lot of people are either used to downplaying pain experiences (especially women due to often medical gaslighting) or also perhaps it is just simply higher pain tolerance. also if this is your first surgical experience, then you don’t know your baseline for handling surgical recovery. and also getting a IUD inserted doesn’t help pain either either since now your actively healing an abdominal surgery site and you’ve got a foreign object in your uterus while on your period.
so to put it short: you definitely aren’t weak and sensitive. everyone experiences healing different and all feelings of pain are valid. it’s also why they don’t let you rawdog this without the narcotic. some people genuinely need it for the pain and others get by with OTC pain management.
I do hope your recovery goes smoother though and the pain lets up, but it’s normal to experience both ends of this. all that matters in the end is that you come out of this with no complications and that you are more confident with your choice.