Question on swelly belly!

Hi I am almost 8 weeks post op. On June 20th 2005 I had a full Vag. Hyst. Assisted Lap. and bladder surgery. I dont eat any different, I quit smoking and I still have the pooch in front and the handles on the sides. I do excercises such as lundges and crunches and still I have this ungodly flabbyness to my belly since my surgery. I also have a bladder disease called Interstitial Cystitis. I am on Estrogel twice a day because I have no female parts left. I am on Atarax, Zoloft, Elmiron,for bladder disease. I am also on Prilosec for my stomach. I take Detropan XL for my bladder and Zyrtec-D for my Allergies. I also take Enulose for constipation. I am on so many meds it scares me. What if these meds are making me gain or retain water. Then what do I do? Do I have to suffer this weight gain my whole life? Going into immediate menapause at the age of 37 is hard cause I still have young children and sometimes I have no Patience what so ever for them or my husband. I am depressed because since my meds and surgery all my shorts and jeans are too tight and I dont have the money to buy bigger. I have 5 children. Can anyone relate? Please someone boost my spirits I cant take this awful feeling any longer. Sincerely bloated and Depressed{ also Moody at times!!!}

Dear bloated and depressed, sounds like you have ALOT on your plate! Do you think you might be over-doing it with exercise and all the stuff that goes with being a mom to 5? My sons are grown and gone, I think it would be hard to slow down with that many kids still around. You might want to talk to your doctor or a good pharmacist about the possibility the meds are messing up your chemical balance, that could be part of the problem too. I don't know, just guessing. Maybe they can give you some suggestions or corrections. The other stuff - swelling, needing looser clothes, etc. could just be normal healing issues, so hang in there!

I can't help you on the swollen tummy thing, only 1 1/2 weeks out, but if you need some cheap shorts and stuff try the salvation army or another thrift store. You can actually find some decent stuff for really cheap. We have a huge one where I live and they have all sorts of stuff. When we are low on money and the kids need pants that don't have holes in them (you know how rough boys are on jeans!) I'll take then there and see if we can find some "in style" clothes in their size.

Hope this helped,
Debra

Is it normal to be bloated 7 weeks after surgery? I just thought someone might know if this will go away or do I eed to buy bigger clothes? I heard that it could take 6 months to a year for your body to heal after a total Hyst. Is this true?

Horray for thrift stores!! Once I faced reality and realized I could fit in to NOTHING I own, one of the first out of the house trips my husband took me on was a trip to our local Salvation Army store. Where I live the Salvation Army is cheaper than Goodwill. I got a few pairs of drawstring pants and shorts, and some elastic band shorts as well. The elastic wasnt a great idea since by the time my stomach grows to its evening size the elastic hurts. I also keep an eye out for all the summer clearances at the retail stores, where you can get clothes for up to 80% off. Since Ive been doing this for 14 weeks now, another tip is that where I live Salvation Army has "Wacky Wednesday", where just about everything in the store is half price. That's how Im getting by this darned swelly belly dilemma!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by AngelD Horray for thrift stores!! Once I faced reality and realized I could fit in to NOTHING I own, one of the first out of the house trips my husband took me on was a trip to our local Salvation Army store. Where I live the Salvation Army is cheaper than Goodwill. I got a few pairs of drawstring pants and shorts, and some elastic band shorts as well. The elastic wasnt a great idea since by the time my stomach grows to its evening size the elastic hurts. I also keep an eye out for all the summer clearances at the retail stores, where you can get clothes for up to 80% off. Since Ive been doing this for 14 weeks now, another tip is that where I live Salvation Army has "Wacky Wednesday", where just about everything in the store is half price. That's how Im getting by this darned swelly belly dilemma!

Do u know how long this is going to last? The swelling of the belly.

I also got clothes for my swelly belly at the thrift store. I went the week before and got large t-shirts and shorts. I also went to Walmart and bought two packs of underwear two sizes largest. Since I am the main laundry person I figure I needed a lot of underwear without having to do laundry.
I have my hysterectomy on Aug 8, 2005
Theresa

When do we finally fit into our normal wardrobe? Will it be months? With me exercising am I working too hard and making my belly swell more? How do I know what is too much?

Hyst.pal, I am 4 months post op and I still get the swelly belly in the evenings. We all heal at different paces so it may take some of us longer than others. You are still early in recovery, so continue to take care of yourself. Talk to your dr and pharmacist about your concerns with your medication and the retaining fluid, they can help you. I wish you a speedy recovery and I am sending you a big . Carol

Dear Hyst.Pal: I've heard the swelly belly can last for up to a year, then again, I also recently read a post on this web site from someone who says hers still bloats after 4 years! I don't want to believe mine will last for so long. Even tho I might be decieving myself, I'm thrift shopping for "the short haul", and as time goes by if I see I will need an entire new wadrobe, then I'll have to give in and buy some "real clothes".