Day 2 Postop - Anybody else having belly swelling?

I came home before noon today with some swelling but it's gotten worse throughout the day. Not a lot of pain and don't feel that bad. I don't suppose the swelling will hurt the incision. It looks okay. Is this normal?

Welcome home LynDonya and Congratulations on a successful surgery!
What you are experiencing is pretty normal and in time it will get better. Here is an article that may help Swelly Belly

Try and rest as much as possible. Walk a little each hour that you are not resting and drink plenty of water. Swelly belly is frustrating at best but in time it will get better.

I bet the swelly belly may be the most talked about topic on postop forum! Can last 6 to 8 weeks. Most resolve before. Do a search and you will find Lots of threads with good info. Welcome to the other side!

I am 2 days post-op and having a lot of swelling. I think your body floods the surgical site with fluids and other things as part of the healing process. Kind of like when you break a bone and then the site swells up.

Hello Amkeith,
Isn't it wonderful to be on the other side? Yes, it sounds like the swelling is pretty normal. I feel like my stomach is huge! My neck and chest area are pretty sore too due to having difficulty being intubated. The dr said it took 3 tries because of my small mouth and airway. They finally got it in using a scope. Thank goodness I don't remember any of that. No BM yet although it's not bothering me. I'm trying to decide if I need to use the Miralax or wait it out.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by LynDonya Hello Amkeith, Isn't it wonderful to be on the other side? Yes, it sounds like the swelling is pretty normal. I feel like my stomach is huge! My neck and chest area are pretty sore too due to having difficulty being intubated. The dr said it took 3 tries because of my small mouth and airway. They finally got it in using a scope. Thank goodness I don't remember any of that. No BM yet although it's not bothering me. I'm trying to decide if I need to use the Miralax or wait it out.

No BM for me yet either. And yes I am so glad to be on the other side of this! I'm trying to eat high fiber (salads, etc) to hopefully get things moving. My doc instructions sd if no BM in 3 days, to do a enema.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Amkeith No BM for me yet either. And yes I am so glad to be on the other side of this! I'm trying to eat high fiber (salads, etc) to hopefully get things moving. My doc instructions sd if no BM in 3 days, to do a enema.

Yes.....very common.