vertical incision

Hi all
I had a TAH on Aug 29 and everything went well. What I have noticed though is my left side of my belly is more swelled than my right. You can really notice it as I had a vertical incision because of large fibroid and a uterus the size of a 20 week pregnancy. You can almost see an orange size swelling. I had my staples removed on Wednesday and the nurse said my incision looked good but I was badly bruised. I wonder if this is the reason I have this. Has any one else experienced this. I was afraid I may have a hernia but I think it would be too soon for that too show and I didn't lift anything. I have no fever or discomfort. My BM's are better today. I gave up the metumusil again because I was going to the bathroom alot and only going a little.My friend who is a surgecal nurse said I may have added too much fibre too soon. She suggested mixing a teaspoon of flax seed on my cereal or in yogurt and taking it at night with a stool softener before bedtime.So far today I'm OK. The surgery was a walk in the park compared to the bowel problem especially when you have hemmoroids with it.

snowbird, I too had a 20 week pregnancy sized uterus and I too had noticed that the left side of my vertical incision seemed a little puffy by comparison with the right side but this difference has lessened. The truth is none of us know how our incisions will finally look since it probably takes a good year for all the inner and outer healing to take place. Soon after surgery I had puffy puckering along the lower parts of my incision on both sides and I was very worried it would stay like that but most of it has already flattened and is looking more normal. So just be patient, you just had your sugery--for now try focusing on getting lots and lots of rest, eating well, drinking lots of water, walking as you are able. Once your incision is completely healed (mine was pretty well sealed up after about three weeks) check with your doctor to see if you can start putting Vitamin E or some other scar fading product on it (I currently use Bio-Oil because it's lighter and not as greasy as Vitamin E).

Hi
Thanks for the info. I am not so worried about the incision as I am about the noticable round ball like swelling off to one side. I thought I may have done something I shouldn't have and caused a hernia or something. I have no pain there or anything and it is not hard but soft.I guess i may be worrying for nothing. It may even be just swelly belly that most people have.