TVH: Is there swelly belly with TVH???

Just wondering if I am having a TVH will they still use the air that everyone says is so painful? Curious if they just do that with lap procedures....THANKS!

I was a little swollen for a couple of days after my TVH and most of that was from the IV fluids. I did experience a little swelly belly around 5 weeks post-op as I became more active and the only way I could really tell was that my jeans were a little snug at the end of the day. Mine wasn't that noticable and it wasn't painful nor did it last long.

My doctor did not use any gas during my TVH.



Deb

I had a TVH and have not had any swelly belly, at least not yet. I am almost 4 weeks out now. I also retained a lot of fluid the first few days after surgery (about 9 lbs worth) but it was all over. My fingers and toes looked like sausages and I had cankles. Once I was up and moving and urinating on my own (which took a couple of days) the fluid came off, all in about a week.

I return to work on Monday and hope with the increased activity there will be no swelling but I can't say yet. My doctor did not use any gas during the surgery nor did I have any vaginal packing afterwards.

Thank You ladies for replying! As crazy as this sounds, that is what I am worried about the most, the awful gas pains women describe from their histo. I have been looking for every excuse in the book to back out of the surgery so I have decided to stay off the post-op boards for now. Its frightening to hear some women still saying they are still having problems 5-6 weeks post op. My doc has assured me that if all goes to plan, I am young and healthy and should be getting around just fine in a couple of weeks!?

I had a TVH on April 19th, I had some very bad gas pains in the first few days, but that passed. Although it hurt it was a sign that my bowels were waking up and that was good. I have had some swellybelly I guess from the fluid retention after surgery but it is 9 days after and most of the extra fluid is gone. But I can't stress enough to rest. I have felt pretty good so I do stuff and then pay for it by the end of the day. Catch up on all the movies you haven't had time to watch. Good luck!

I had a TVH and I only noticed the swelly belly around week 5, it wasn't bad and I think I noticed it more than others. I'm in week 6 now and someone told me yesterday that they could tell I had lost weight. What? I didn't think so at all... so it must just be me.

And as far as not reading the post-op board. Well everyone heals different and some don't always listen to their doctors. And some have a lot more repairs and other issues. So I think if you listen to your doctor and take it very easy the first 4 weeks you'll be fine.
It was one of the best things I've done for MY health. I suffered from iron-deficiency anemia for years. By the time I had surgery I was so weak and tired that the recovery tired is nothing compared. I had to wait 8 weeks to have my surgery because doctor had me on iron treatments (not over the counter stuff) to build my iron up for the surgery. The day of surgery I was under the norm for my iron count, but doctor felt close enough to move forward. Yay!
Good Luck!

I am with you Oceanwinds. Everyone heals differently, but this was definitely the best thing I have done for MY health. For so long I put my health stuff aside to do things for my family, but If I could go back 3 years I would have done it then. Best of luk to you. Listen to your Dr. and take everything else stride.

I had a LSH and so far have not noticed much of a swelly belly. It pretty much went down after a few days. I can still fit in the clothes I was in before surgery. Haven't tried the jeans yet, have glue in my belly button incision so I don't want to push it! Really appreciate the dr for the glue, much neater incision sites! Just 3 little lines where they went in. I've had very little gas pain but I've also been taking gas-x religiously! Hope this helps.

Thanks ladies! I have the gas x ready to go, just in case that kind of pain is a problem for me. . Surgery is 2 weeks from today and my nerves are shot! I think I did too much lookin around on the post op boards and got a little frightened by what some of the women were saying. Anything else you can think of would be great to know ahead of time so I can be prepared!!
Thanks