Swelly Belly Questions

Does anyone have long term info or experience with the swelly belly. My stomach was not flat prior to surgery - however it was definitly FLATTER than it is now - and it's just that ROLL right above the incision. (ICK!!!)

I know many people that have had c-sections - and end up having flat or close to flat bellys within a few months after.

Is it possible with a abdominal hyster too??? Please someone give me hope. I know it will take a while - I'm only 2 weeks post op - do I know it will take some time. I just want to know more about this swelly belly thing.

Thanks!!!

I can't help you, since I am wondering this too. I am close to the 3 month mark, and it still hasn't gone down. Very frustrating.

Keep resting and pampering yourself!

Julie,
If your procedure involved cutting through any muscle mass, it will definately take a lot longer to heal to a point you can excercise safely (my doc told me). But if it was a Lap op (like mine), the swelly belly still is there. I've just been given the all clear to excercise, but even lugging groceries in and out of the car hurts. And at the end of a big day, even if your belly starts off looking better, well mine just 'flops' like a big ol' sack!
I'm taking my time, gonna go to a women's gym where they specialise in this sort of rehab and women with obese issues (my BMI is way to much). My mum goes there - 'Curves' - and she's had the big hist back when they basically cut you in half and stapled you back together! She also has rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis from bad HRT (in the 'bad ol' days).
It's perfect for her, and, as I'm following in her medical footsteps, I'm going to do it too.
Don't worry about it until you are ready - go to the cheapie shop and get some maternity pants and smocks, and like Redhead75 says - 'pamper yourself'. Your body and your doctor will know.
Yours in 'swelly belly land',

Hi!

Mine definitely got better. I can't remember when it actually was noticeably better, but I am nine months post-op now and it is pretty much like new. The only thing is that there is a slight bit of a "ridge" above my incision on one side, but not bad at all compared to what it was at the beginning. I was appalled when I first saw it! I'm pretty sure I wore my normal clothing with ease at around 6-7 weeks post-op. Give it some time - it will improve! I think the "ridge" has to do with how you were sewn up. I have c-section friends who say that theirs didn't completely dissipate. Good luck!

Thanks for all the info. It's good to hear that some of you have had luck with it going back to close to normal. I know that it won't ever be the same, but I like to think that when I'm cleared to work out again it's something I can work on and that the possibility IS THERE!

My stomach is still pretty numb around the incision and the roll above it and the dr said it probably would be for a while. It seemed to even look a bit better today - but maybe I'm getting used to it!

I'm optimistic that in time I will look better than before the surgery - at least I don't have a huge uterus making me FEEL full and fat like I used to!

omg! I just posted a thread like this!! I am so depressed about it I can't look in the mirror. I know that probably sounds bad but I can't help how I feel when I see myself. I cry everytime.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by glasgow99 Hi! Mine definitely got better. I can't remember when it actually was noticeably better, but I am nine months post-op now and it is pretty much like new. The only thing is that there is a slight bit of a "ridge" above my incision on one side, but not bad at all compared to what it was at the beginning. I was appalled when I first saw it! I'm pretty sure I wore my normal clothing with ease at around 6-7 weeks post-op. Give it some time - it will improve! I think the "ridge" has to do with how you were sewn up. I have c-section friends who say that theirs didn't completely dissipate. Good luck!

thank you so much for giving me hope

Hi just to let you know that im 5mths post TAH and yes swelly belly does go,mine has im totally back to normal just got ridge to get rid of but i can wear normal clothes although a size larger than normal,but working on that? you just need to give it time im also back exe with vengence and every thing is fine no pain or soreness so happy healing and take care luv owls
TAH and 44yrs young