dVH/RALH Another swelly belly question

I'm at 11 weeks and still have it. i thought I was just getting fat. Hope it's just swelly belly and it will go away.

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Originally Posted by Joymcarthur Sure you can...and you SHOULD exercise to heal faster. I started going for walks 3 days out. And I had a total hysterectomy with an abdominal incision.

Joy, I am impressed! I am not sure I could have done that after the abdominal surgery.

I guess I should clarify what I meant by exercise; I was thinking more like crunches and stuff. I was an avid gym person before - walking, running, biking, weights, and ab work. I went back to walking within the first week. I want the swelly belly to go away, but I can imagine ab work at this point (plus I was told not to until my 6-week appt.). And after reading everyone's posts, I am not sure ab work will help.

Just asked the doc about the lower left side pain the other day (because it was awful and frustrating). He explained it in a way that made complete sense to me: cervix was removed, vaginal cuff needs to be held in place by 'something' so there's a ligament he 'moved' to do that. I'm sure I'm oversimplifying it but this is how my non-medical mind grasped the situation. The stitches dissolving combined with that ligament located somewhere a bit different than it was before can cause pain as it is healing and getting more flexible. Said I should continue to manage the pain with meds (which I had been trying to take less of) and and it should continue to heal over the next few weeks. I iced the area regularly when it was really bad too. It's only been a few days since that conversation but I've seen some improvement already. Since everyone is different and heals differently I'd ask the doc if you have concerns to ease your mind, but what he said made complete sense to me so thought I'd share. Hope you're feeling some relief soon!

Yep!!! I'm about 2 1/2 weeks post - op. I can't see my incision because I'm too swollen. I also have some discomfort.

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Originally Posted by RockLady ...And after reading everyone's posts, I am not sure ab work will help.

I'm four months out. What I'm finding is that ab work is great stuff for strengthening your abs, but in the short term, it actually increases swelly belly. I've noticed that the amount of swelling I experience by evening corresponds directly to the amount of work I gave my abs to do during the day.

What it feels like to me is that the swelling is occurring not because the muscles are sagging but rather because they're swelling, i.e., the muscle tissue itself is swelling. I've been assuming that this is part of the healing process, although I have to say that they seem to be taking their own sweet time about healing!

I'm not saying to avoid ab work once your doc clears you for it. In the long run, it will do you good. But in the short run, you're likely to find that your belly is even swellier.

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Originally Posted by RockLady Joy, I am impressed! I am not sure I could have done that after the abdominal surgery. I guess I should clarify what I meant by exercise; I was thinking more like crunches and stuff. I was an avid gym person before - walking, running, biking, weights, and ab work. I went back to walking within the first week. I want the swelly belly to go away, but I can imagine ab work at this point (plus I was told not to until my 6-week appt.). And after reading everyone's posts, I am not sure ab work will help.

I'm the one who's impressed by you being an avid gym person. I was a lazy bum before! I'm intending to make this surgery count for more than just a hysterectomy. I quit smoking (8 weeks now!), I drink less, I'm eating to lose the 10 lbs I've gained over the past year, and I'm actually exercising again.

And no, I cannot imagine doing ab work so early out! Though looking at my pooch, I'm thinking it's time. :-/ Kinda scared since I still get crazy side stitches sometimes.

thank goodness! i'm the exact same! i can't wear regular pants yet cause i find them too tight!! i'm in week 4 as well