Recovering from 3rd degree tear with lack of control over gas and bowel movement. i'm 8 days postpartum. do i have to live like this for a lifetime or the incontinence will heal?

Recovery very likely: Complete healing can take 3 - 6 weeks, by which time original control should have returned. In mean time, try to keep stool soft with high fiber diet including plenty of fruit & vegetables. Suppliment with commercial stool softener from Pharmacy, if necessary

4th degree!: This actually sounds like a fourth-degree tear do you need to see your OB/GYN again but more likely I would actually go see a pelvic reconstructive obgyn. Thirddegree should not be causing you this trouble only a fourth-degree does.