TVH What *IS* swelly belly after hysterectomy?

Hi I had my total vaginal hysterectomy on Tuesday, I believe I have peed out all the IV fluids now because my fingers and feet are back to being boney and skinny, but I measured my waist and it's still TWO inches bigger then before surgery. What exactly is this that's going on? I worked hard to diminish my waist line before surgery and now I don't have one. It's not just under the belly button where the uterus was, it's all the way up to my ribs.

Also, I'm almost completely out of pain! If I stand up I feel pressure almost like I am crowning a child, but it's not painful. How long until the heavy crowning sensation goes away?

Many of us describe as feeling like a tampon is stuck in the vagina. My doctor said it is from stretching the vagina. I never had children so can only relate it to a tampon.

As for swelly belly - it is the belly swollen up from all the trauma. Why the upper part seems to swell more I don't know, but have found that same. Could have something to do with the gas used and the inflating of the abdomen.

Use the stomach muscle as you can. I never used a binder that many do (never heard of them until after coming her after surgery) but did hold and rub my belly like a pregnant woman. My right side was the sore side so when I walked that was the side I held. When getting up from sitting or laying, it was also the side I held.

Hi there, Doodles. I had my TVH a week before you, on the 19th. Your insides have experienced a trauma and are likely inflamed, and your body is working to fill the void left by the uterus with fluid. I have been reading here that some people experience "swelly belly" for months. Don't panic--I was able to zip my jeans this morning. I wouldn't actually wear them, too tender, but I am happy in my sweats for now. That "pulling" feeling is almost gone; I get occasional twinges in the afternoons, but for the most part am pain free. I was able to stop all meds after a week, even Tylenol.

My heaviness subsided about week 3. The swollen abdomen appears to get worse on exertion. I am hoping it does indeed go away in time.

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Originally Posted by Doodles0912 Hi I had my total vaginal hysterectomy on Tuesday, I believe I have peed out all the IV fluids now because my fingers and feet are back to being boney and skinny, but I measured my waist and it's still TWO inches bigger then before surgery. What exactly is this that's going on? I worked hard to diminish my waist line before surgery and now I don't have one. It's not just under the belly button where the uterus was, it's all the way up to my ribs. Also, I'm almost completely out of pain! If I stand up I feel pressure almost like I am crowning a child, but it's not painful. How long until the heavy crowning sensation goes away?

Doodles!
We are all so different when it comes to swelly belly... Some women don't get it at all, and others may have it for months. It varies in severity and duration and there just doesn't seem to be anything we can do to make it leave. Best advice: settle in, wear comfortable clothes and just go with it. I have heard it compared to a sprained ankle and the way that swells. Some women feel relief using ice, I personally found comfort with my heating pad. I had a TVH like you, and I also swelled up to my bra band. I easily looked 7 months pregnant for my first 2 weeks post op. It usually decreases gradually as the weeks pass.

Article: Swelly Belly

Regarding the feeling you're having down below, this may be swelling tissues. Having a TVH means we have had instruments in our vagina stretching, pulling and manipulating for the duration of our surgery. I had the feeling of pressure down below for about 8 weeks post op.

Swelly Belly

This is the article from Hystersisters.

Thank you all so much for your helpful answers!

That is exactly what I was feeling today! I'm glad to hear that it's normal and just a result of standing on my feet a little too much today. I'm worried though, because I teach and go back to work in 10 days. That will be 4 weeks post-op, so I'm hoping things will improve by then.

Oh bless your heart veek! Can you sit down while you teach? Hopefully even a little break here and there. Just wear dresses and stretchy pants in case you do swell up!

I have a couple of maxi skirts that I plan to wear a lot. And I think I will have to do a lot of my teaching from a chair for a while. I'm even thinking about bringing a stool out for kiss and ride duty. Fortunately I teach in an elementary school where kids are always more than willing to be be helpers.