Attack of the swellies...

No, this is not a sci-fi thriller...although it probably could be....

I was so spoiled. I rested most of my 6 weeks and did not notice a lot of the typical swelly belly issues. Now that I am beginning to feel better and more active, I am under attack. The swellies have found me... nooooo...

I notice when I have been out (and boy does it feel good) My tummy swells a bit by evening and through the next day. It isn't too bad, but it IS there.

I had a TAH/BSO with bladder reconstruction.

The most annoying part is the upper abdominal swelling. It feels like there is pressure against the lower edge of my rib cage. The skin and tissues when sitting upright, squish right there and feels like they are trying to be pressured away from the bones. That's the best way I can describe it.

What makes it annoying is I have a sewing business and need to be sitting in front of the machine when I am not standing to cut.

I finally was able to make use of the WIDE support binder from the hospital. I cinched it up tight yesterday and it helped me to be able to sit there long enough to get my project done...before I needed to go lay flat to take the pressure off.

This is sooo annoying... Any idea how long this sort of thing lasts? I am 6 weeks post op and realize that even though I am released by my doc, tissues are still healing.

6-12 months seems like such a long time...

Ladyoflight: You need to hide better! Those darn swellies are tricky! I can sympathize with you. Went to my DR today and am able to zip and button my pants! (I know that the stretchy material they are made of has nothing to do with it!) Lie down often and use your tummy binder. Also, I've seen where some sisters use frozen veggies in their binders to help with the swelling. Hope you are feeling better!

Oooo that would be the best use of frozen peas...actually the ONLY use of frozen peas... never could actually swallow them...

Thanks Nik

Frozen peas I like that one

LadyOfLight, Oh how sad I am to hear that the swellies have swallowed you!! I regret to say, based on MY OWN experience, the swelly belly consumed me for the better part of the first 6 months....I hope and pray your's gets sick of hanging around and departs sooner!!

Yeah I hope mine gets sick of peas... I know I am....

I am super swollen today. I walked around Target. What was I thinking!!!!

I had read all about swelly bellies when I first found hyster sisters but nothing could have prepared me for my new profile in the mirror. YEGADS!!
I haven't had a 6-pack in years and I'm ok with that. But somebody please tell me that this... this case o' 2-liters that used to be my adbomen isn't permanent? My tummy looks like it has 3 chins!!

Mine seems to inflate by nighttime due to exertion, I put on the support binder and keep it on overnight, then I look normal in the morning. The other thing (is this my imagination???) someone made me a very sweet dessert (very low fat) and later that day (and the next morning!) I noticed a huge tummy jutting out near the ribs. So maybe that was hypoglycemia. Who knows. I'm keeping a list: No lemon pie, no swelly belly. Then maybe one day it will just read, No swelly belly. ... No swelly belly .... No swelly belly.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by tjaxx I am super swollen today. I walked around Target. What was I thinking!!!!

BUT YOU HAD FUN IN TARGET, DIDN'T YA??? :smilie5: