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Ab Hyster Worried about Belly Fat
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05-02-2005, 06:53 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 10
Hysterectomy: May 26th, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Ab Hyster Worried about Belly Fat
Ladies - I'm scheduled for my abdominal hysterectomy on 5/26/05 and I nervous of course. I've never had surgery other than dental surgery to remove my wisdom teeth in 1990. I'm about 100 pounds overweight and I have a large belly that I'm afraid is going to cause problems during my recovery. It will overlap the area where my incision will be.
Any suggestions? Should I be worried about it? I'm afraid I will not be able to keep the area clean with the stitches and fat rubbing together or to reduce pain for that matter.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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05-02-2005, 07:51 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 358
Hysterectomy: April 1st, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Ab Hyster Worried about Belly Fat
Hi cantwait,
I am quite a bit fluffy too; the same as you. There was no problem with my belly & the incision. You just have to keep it dry under the area where the belly folds over. I used a tip I found on hyster-sisters before my surgery...used a folded pad from my stash of thousands to absorb moisture. I just folded the pad in half and tucked in the skin fold area. Worked like a charm!
The slowest area to heal is right in the center of my belly where the stomach is the largest...but it is healing. Our bodies are amazing in their capacity to heal!
So don't worry, and here's to a smooth recovery!
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05-02-2005, 08:15 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 358
Hysterectomy: April 1st, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Ab Hyster Worried about Belly Fat
Hi again!
Just another thought...you mentioned stitches rubbing againest the skin. Actually, mostly the stitches (at least w/me) are inside you, I was closed up w/staples. The staples did not bother me at all under my belly---where they irritated me the most was at my navel. That is where the binder they had me wear for a while rubbed; also my underware elastic would rub there too. I used the pad solution at that point also...just folded it in half and placed it over my navel area.
There was not any real pain, just irritation.
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05-02-2005, 10:25 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 190
Hysterectomy: June 22nd, 2004
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Ab Hyster Worried about Belly Fat
As mentioned, keeping the area very dry is most important. In addition to using the technique mentioned although I used gauze as I found it less bulky, after I showered I would take my blow dryer on a low speed and dry the area real well.
Best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery.
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05-02-2005, 10:28 AM
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Posts: 15,188
Hysterectomy: September 20th, 2004
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Ab Hyster Worried about Belly Fat
You may want to ask the castle for an abdominal tummy binder (for me they put two of them together to make it wider) to help with support. This also helped keep the dressings in place because I had horrible reactions to the adhesive tape they used!
I found that the binder actually felt good, and by the time it started annoying me (at about 7 weeks post-op) I didn't need it anymore.
Good luck to you!
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05-02-2005, 10:35 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 383
Hysterectomy: April 26th, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Ab Hyster Worried about Belly Fat
I was crazy worried about my abdominal fold and weight of my flap too, which wasn't as large as yours I'm guessing. I choose liposuction at the time of the surgery to address that concern. It wasn't too bad, but probably not for everyone. It was kinda' pricey though, but I'll just skip my vacation this year and eat at home more often. I don't know how many pounds can be safely removed at one time though. I'm in an abdominal binder that goes with suspenders below the breast to the knees with an opening for toilet time. I couldn't imagine having to have TAH without something like this. Best Wishes, get your legs as strong as you can. Love Noom
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05-02-2005, 10:45 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 3
Hysterectomy: June 15th, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
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Ab Hyster Worried about Belly Fat
I haven't had my hysto yet, but ran into this situation after my C-section. I suddenly had a flap that was over my scar area. I tried to keep it as dry as possible, but some areas were not healing as quickly. My sister, who is a nurse, put some of my son's baby powder on it and I used corn starch once in a while too. It helped to keep it dry and the skin didn't rub against the sides. I still have the floop, but it's getting better. I'm assuming that I'll have the same issues after my surgery in June, and am planning on using some of the other suggestions now that I know what it will be like.
Best of luck!
Jzzy
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05-04-2005, 09:12 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 10
Hysterectomy: May 26th, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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I can't reply to responses
MJD2491,
Please let me know more about the ab tummy binder. Where do I get this thing? Also, what is a "panniculectomy"?
Thanks
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05-04-2005, 09:29 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 567
Hysterectomy: February 18th, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Ab Hyster Worried about Belly Fat
As much as you may be afraid to touch that area be sure to pat it dry real good. I have a fold from previous surgeries and although this time I had a vertical the swelling made a real good crease and I was thinking I had dried off good after showering and about a week after having my staples removed and replaced with steri strips I was checking out my incision and and got down to that area and found out is was getting infected. I thought I was getting to the lower strips but I wasn't, they were staying damp and rubbing. It was found early and with good cleaning and drying then then a gauze pad to prevent rubbing it cleared up good. It wasn't the incision getting infected it was the strip just rubbing on skin
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05-04-2005, 09:47 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 189
Hysterectomy: April 20th, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Ab Hyster Worried about Belly Fat
Dear can't wait,
I too am easily 100 lbs overweight, LOL I'd like to blaim my fibroid and my enlarged uterus for 100lbs.....but I am only 10 lbs lighter 2 weeks post surgery!, anyhow I digress.
I had a verticle incision due to the fibroid placment and size.I told my dr I was very concerned about the scar and the incision. Yes it is taking a bit longer to heal, but I am healing well. The dr is using silver nitrate every couple of days to make sure the area where the incision did not approximate ( blend together well) heals to a thin line. I also keloid scar (thick ugly scar lines) so the dr used a medication called Kenalog in the incision upon closing me up. I am wearing an abdominal binder, medical supply stores will have them( if you cannot find them you may be able to get one from the hospital), they are kinda pricey, but worth every penny. I put the binder on in the mornings and it helps to keep me "held in" and keeps the pressure off of my belly incision. The trick is to wear the binder for support and not too tight. DO NOT use baby powder on your skin folds.(baby powder will cause irtritation due to the fragrances in them.) Use cornstarch with a cotton ball to apply to any areas WITHOUT incision lines to keep "fresh feeling and dry" If you have folds that are "moist" from sweat the best thing to use is guaze pads, change 2 to 3 times a day.
Don't worry CAN"T WAIT, you will be fine. I think the most important thing is to discuss this with your Dr before surgery so all the teaching and all prevenative measures can be taken right from the get go.
Hang in there,
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