"Normal" Swelly belly?

Is this 'normal' swelly belly? (Is swelly belly 'normal'?)

I'm 13 days post op from a LHS with cystocoel (bladder) and rectocoel repairs (A&P repairs). I had the bloating from the gas used to inflate the belly, but that cleared completely (with shoulder pains) after 3 or 4 days. I started having BMs on days 4 and have been regular since. I went home with a catheter and kept it in for 6 days. Day 5 and 6 my belly felt soft and fairly flat - almost like 'normal'. I thought "great" this is going along very well." The catheter was taken out on day 6.

By 6pm the evening day 6 I was having bad gas pains in my belly and by that evening my belly was swollen up like a tight drum. I had geatly increased my fiber from day 3 onward -- so I cut way back from day 6 onward.

My belly is sometimes softer than other times (after BM, in morning). But generally its large and tight all day - I honestly look about 5 months pregnant, round protruding belly.

Is this just standard swelly belly? For 7 days now I wake up each morning thinking "maybe this will be the day this belly starts going back down".

I have my 2 week checkup Wednesday. I'd love any info from women who had a tight swollen belly. Is this 'normal'? When did it clear up? What did you do?

I can relate to looking down and expecting the swelling to be noticeably lessened. It can take quite a while to get back to normal. For some women it's weeks, for others, months. Don't worry, it will happen with time.

Still, I would bring it up with your doc, as I'm sure you will. The swelly belly as I understand may last for months, so that's not unusual at all, but I do wonder about you saying your tummy is very tight and hard most of the time. My swelly belly is very fluid-filled and jiggly -- there was one day when I swear it was jiggling from just my walking around! And when I laughed I looked like Santa or something, I swear my tummy pillow would bounce and my tummy was shaking like that proverbial bowlful of jelly.

Maybe some other sisters had a hard swelly belly though? Anyway, I'd ask the doc.

What a coincidence! This morning my belly, still swelly, feels rather soft and jiggly. I took it easy yesterday (several lie downs and a nap). I've been up a few hours today, and I'm taking it very easy today -- and my belly is still soft and jiggly.

Maybe the tight drum belly was from being on my feet too much and not enough rest (like gas built up and couldn't release)? Today is day 14 (LHS with A&P repairs).

I'm going to take it easy today and see if belly stays soft. Soft and jiggly I can deal with for a while -- and it sounds like I may have to!

Yes, I think that my belly was harder with gas and when I was constipated too.

Glad you're better, Sweetpea, keep up the rest. cmtsp, sounds like there's some variability, so that's good to know!

What causes the swelly belly? (I just had daVinci hyst. May 18) Thanks

The article here on HysterSisters suggests swelly belly is mainly from trauma to the abdominal muscles and tissues just from the surgery (maybe expanding the belly with the gas to create space for the operation, etc.). That makes sense to me. Then the anesthesia probably makes your colon slow down processing for a while too. I don't think anyone knows for sure, and it's probably individual from person to person.

In my case I got a build up of gas, probably from adding too much fiber to my diet too fast, and a tight swollen belly. It has stayed softened over the last few days and gone down considerably since I cut back on being on my feet. i still take walks, but i lay down for a few rests during the day -- for me it has helped.

(I'm 15 days post LHS)

Thanks for the reply...I think I need to get off my feet more...The gas/BM thing has not been too much of a problem and I do drink alot of liquids each day. Good luck on your continued recovery!

Sweetpea,

I had TAH/BSO in January and my belly is still often hard and tight - especially after a long and busy day. My doctors don't appear to think it's unusual. It's just unfortunate to still have it at 51/2 months! I wish you better luck! ) Im anxious to wear my regular clothes again.

Remember to give yourself time to heal - be patient with yourself.