One day post-op DaVinci - swollen belly normal?

Hi. I had DaVinci procedure done yesterday and my surgeon was pleased with the results. Kept ovaries, tubes and cervix. My belly is very swollen. I think I've read too many posts about people feeling "great" after DaVinci. I've had 4 other full abdominal surgeries, so maybe I'm expecting too much too soon.

Ditto! Very swollen belly. I'm 4 days post op and starting to look more normal. My expectations were also too high for not having any pain. The diaphram/shoulder paid was horrendous. I've had one other abominal surgery and I swear I was more mobile and functional!

schnitzel1 - I too had the DaVinci procedure on October 15. I have felt better every day, just some upper abdominal soreness and pain for about a week. I still have the swollen belly and my body is not ready for me to do any exercise other than walking. In the morning the swelling is not so bad, but by evening (especially when I am more active during the day) the swelly belly is back .

But on the positive side, I know that it is temporary. I had 4 c-sections in the past and the same swelly belly haunted me then, only lower. Good luck with your recovery!

I too had the swelly belly, I however am not really having anymore problems with it. I have found though that somedays I can wear my jeans comfortably, and other days I would rather not. Its not because of swelling, but just the comfort is not there yet.

DewBird, we had our surgery the same day!!!

I had a similar type of surgery & I was really swollen. They just took an organ out of you so there will be inflammation. Just because it is an easier surgery doesn't mean it was not a Major surgery. My swell belly lasted for 5 months & was worse on days that I did more. It does go away though! Best wishes to you.

Also, some of it might be gas!
Be patient .... swelling is normal!
:-)

I am still swollen 3 days post op- but wearing the swelly belly type band they gave me in the hospital and it helps A LOT.

This is not as much swelling or pain as I had with my appendix out and a 4" incision. My daughter's bday party was today and people were amazed how well I moved around.

It is definitely worse in the evenings... on that note I am off to bed.

Thanks for the responses ladies. I can see I need to be a little more patient. It just helps so much to know what others experienced.

Also, like Sea said, it was clear to me in the first days after the surgery that, although my *outside* incisions were small, my *inside* work was just as extensive. In fact, my bruising was quite severe (a lot more tissue trauma than an abdominal cut and removal). My surgery took almost 5 hours.

Read books, watch movies, take advantage of any help being offered to you, take short walks, relax as much as you can ... and think about why you had the surgery and what you have to look forward to on the other side of the surgery!
:-)