Episiotomy scar revision - healing timeframe?

[belfie]

I had an episiotomy with DS - failed suction & forceps birth. For the next three months afterwards I had trouble with a "raw" spot which just failed to heal and would sting/smart on occasion. Repeated trips to the doctor & my obs follow-up got me no joy - I was told variously to put nothing on it, put something soothing on it (but he didn't want to suggest what! ) or try baby wipes and then sudocream (made it smart like hell).

Finally after 3 months, I realised the raw spot was actually a longish raw flap (1.5cm?). When I went back to the GP, she said yup that's no good, go back to your obs and get it removed under a local. So I go back to the obs and he pokes & prods - while I flinch - still pretty sore. He confirms that it's actually not the raw skin making me flinch, it's the scar tissue. He wanted to remove some of the scar tissue AND the raw skin under a general anaesthetic. His concern was that just removing the raw skin - it might just grow back again. And after three months of being told it had healed well, apparently it wasn't actually that great after all! Hmmph.

So I had it done last Tues... I think he did a pretty careful stitching job, and my recovery seems to be going ok. My question (after this long-winded story lol - but figured I should include background) is... how careful should I be? I know what you're told after a birth & episiotomy in terms of being careful, healing etc... but I figure he hasn't cut muscle this time (he said it was a diamond-shaped incision) so it's more just surface skin healing. I've been minimising heaving lifting (really, what is heavy anyway?) but minimising how much I lift 7.6kg bubba boy... but wondering when I should/could start walking, not worrying about lifting, trying to get a bit fitter etc? Should I just go on what's comfortable? I guess I'm just paranoid about it not healing well again - given I was pretty careful last time (and my baby was MUCH smaller then) and it still didn't heal well!

At hossie they just told me to take it easy & not do heavy lifiting, but didn't really talk about timeframes & I forgot to ask. Oh and I'm back at my obs for follow-up 6 weeks after the op. Needless to say I hadn't been game to try DTD with this either... so that's a whole 'nother question! Luckily I'm sure DH hasn't forgotten how...

Any suggestions?

TIA,
Belfie.

[visitor1]

Im not to sure, but id say do what you feel comfortable doing. If a light walk is what you want to do,then do it, but if theres any pain then maybe your doing a bit to much?

I know after DD1, i never had an epis. but i dod have a 2nd degree tear and for the first 2 weeks it hurt like nothing else, but i found gentle walks done me good and over time stoped hurting.

DOnt blame you for not DTD yet...its always a fear after tears, cts and in your case surgery as well.

I hope some one can give you some more info *Hugs*