Please Help. Almost 10 weeks post vestibulectomy and still in pain

I had a vestibulectomy with vaginal advancement performed on March 24th for my provoked vestibulodynia. My surgeon told me she had only performed 15 vestibulectomy, but as a urogynecologist that performs many pelvic reconstructive surgeries a vestibulectomy was a piece of cake. Thererfore, I had her perform the surgery and now almost 10-weeks later I regret having the surgery because I feel worse than pre-surgery.

I initially had the burning and cutting feeling only when I had penetration. Now, without any penetration I am experiencing a hot/burning feeling along with a pricking feeling (like tooth picks stabbing me or little cuts) on my vestibule. I occasionally have this feeling like I have something stuck in my vagina (almost like a compact dry tampon) and I can't wear tight clothes without irritation. Also, I am able to sit, but I still have to position myself to a degree where my vagina isn't completely on my seat, as it causes soreness and a dull pain. And when I have been sexually aroused the pain is unbearable.

I am terrified by what I am experiencing and have been crying the last week because I have read that by week 8, your pain should be gone and week 8 determines if your surgery was a success. Yet, here I go on 9 1/2 weeks and it feels like I just had surgery. Because my doctor hasn't performed many vestibulectomy, I wasn't given detailed post-op instructions, so a few days ago, I tried inserting my dialtor and was in extreme pain and I don't know if I made things worse by using my dialtor. I also resumed exercising at week 7  (i.e. burpees, squats, mountain climbing)

Should I be in panic mode? Has anyone experienced pain at this point post-surgery or does it sound like I got a botch job and I should make an appointment with Dr. Goldstein to see if he can correct my problem. My doctor is nice, but because she hasn't done many vestibulectomy she hasn't given me that best post-op instructions. I even told her I was dry down there and did she cover my bratholin gland and she wasn't sure. (Yikes) At my 6 week post-surgery check up she said everything looked good, I still had stitches that needed to dissolve and follow up with her after week 10.

I don't know what to do. Any advice or input I would greatly appreciate. I feel like pulling my hair out because I feel like I am in a worse position than before. At 10-weeks can what I am experiencing be normal? Or is my panicking justified? Should I make an appointment with a more seasoned surgeon (like Dr. Goldstein) or once you have this surgery there is no way to correct a problem?


Thank you

Summer1 wrote:I had a vestibulectomy with vaginal advancement performed on March 24th for my provoked vestibulodynia. My surgeon told me she had only performed 15 vestibulectomy, but as a urogynecologist that performs many pelvic reconstructive surgeries a vestibulectomy was a piece of cake. Thererfore, I had her perform the surgery and now almost 10-weeks later I regret having the surgery because I feel worse than pre-surgery.

I initially had the burning and cutting feeling only when I had penetration. Now, without any penetration I am experiencing a hot/burning feeling along with a pricking feeling (like tooth picks stabbing me or little cuts) on my vestibule. I occasionally have this feeling like I have something stuck in my vagina (almost like a compact dry tampon) and I can't wear tight clothes without irritation. Also, I am able to sit, but I still have to position myself to a degree where my vagina isn't completely on my seat, as it causes soreness and a dull pain. And when I have been sexually aroused the pain is unbearable.

I am terrified by what I am experiencing and have been crying the last week because I have read that by week 8, your pain should be gone and week 8 determines if your surgery was a success. Yet, here I go on 9 1/2 weeks and it feels like I just had surgery. Because my doctor hasn't performed many vestibulectomy, I wasn't given detailed post-op instructions, so a few days ago, I tried inserting my dialtor and was in extreme pain and I don't know if I made things worse by using my dialtor. I also resumed exercising at week 7  (i.e. burpees, squats, mountain climbing)

Should I be in panic mode? Has anyone experienced pain at this point post-surgery or does it sound like I got a botch job and I should make an appointment with Dr. Goldstein to see if he can correct my problem. My doctor is nice, but because she hasn't done many vestibulectomy she hasn't given me that best post-op instructions. I even told her I was dry down there and did she cover my bratholin gland and she wasn't sure. (Yikes) At my 6 week post-surgery check up she said everything looked good, I still had stitches that needed to dissolve and follow up with her after week 10.

I don't know what to do. Any advice or input I would greatly appreciate. I feel like pulling my hair out because I feel like I am in a worse position than before. At 10-weeks can what I am experiencing be normal? Or is my panicking justified? Should I make an appointment with a more seasoned surgeon (like Dr. Goldstein) or once you have this surgery there is no way to correct a problem?


Thank you

Hello,

I have never had a vestibulectomy, however what you are describing is what I had a long time ago.. it's just nerves being irritated or maybe some minor nerve damage in one of the areas. I would not panic, stay calm and ask for nerve pain medication to control the symptoms. In time you will be able to wean off them and you should go back to normal. Lyrica is considered to be the best. It has been over 2 months and you shouldn't feel this pain. I doubt the surgery was poorly done, it;s just that any type of surgery can have a minor risk of nerve damage. Even labiaplasty. Nerves do grow back at a rate of 1 mm per day so in time you should be healed. I have had countless surgeries for my bartholin glands and even with my most invasive one in 8 weeks I was back to normal. Can you also apply some topical lidocaine 5% ointment ?
the feeling of tampon stuck or inflammation when there is none is nerves sending wrong signals.
Again, this can sometimes happen and is no cause for panic. the solution lies in medication, pelvic therapy and topical numbing gels.

I doubt it was a botch job. Do NOT under any circumstance have any other surgeries just yet.
ANY surgery on the face of the planet has a very small tiny risk of nerve damage. Nerves do grow back or stop sending pain signals. You can act now and do gradual desensitiziation, take medication and when ready, you can try pelvic therapy.