Swelly Belly?

Ok, not to sound stupid, but what exactly is a swelly belly and what can I expect? My LAVH is scheduled for 2/7/06 and the more I read I am starting to worry if I am going to be prepared for this.

Is there something I should have on hand to comfort myself? How long does it last? I did some searches but not too much info on this.
Thanks

It's be 11 weeks for me on Friday and I still have swelly belly.. That means your belly swell above your incision or around your stomach area. It's usually better in the morning, with activity it swells.. Nothing to worry about, it's part of the healing. Can take a few weeks to a few months to go away.. My doctor told me 6 months or so. ugh!! hope this helps.. It's just part of the process.
Good luck

Hi!

You might find the following article helpful in explaining swelly belly.

Tummy - Swelly Belly Help

s, Deb

Good info there... thanks!
I wonder how my poochie belly will look all swelled too.
Ouch.
And I am supposed to be going on a cruise in April.
No bikini for me. LOL!

Peace,
J.

I think swelly belly may be less noticable with LAVH as there is not ab incision however, i did stil have swelling, and still feel a bit swollen at certain times of the day or depending on what I'm wearing. Also, Lap asisted means gas is put in and you are also swollen a bit from that in the first couple of days. I was comfortable in my normal bikini style panties after a couple of days and wearing my tracksuit bottoms. I think my tummy now (8 weeks) is also from festive season!! Not that different to normal January time!!!

I agree that given my experience it seems to be less of an issue with LAVH. I also think everyone is different and our bodies may react differently to surgery, and we heal different emotionally.

I still have a little bit of swelling, but I can wear my regular clothes comfortably. I was (and I still am) grateful to have a few very comfortable lounge pants. By the end of the day I just want to wear loungey relaxed things. I went to old navy and bought a couple pairs of their bottoms only PJ bottoms.

Its been emotionally/mentally uplifting for me to get ready for my day like I had somewhere to be.

I dyed my hair a brighter funner color yesterday and I'm going for a new cut today. I told my DH its the new uterine-free me. He got a chuckle.

Thanks so much for all the answers. I have had the gases before with having tubal and a second time for ovarian cysts. That was not too bad. Hope that this will be the same. I just have to remember that this is the start of my new pain free (hopefully) and period free life.

This is my 7th day from surgery and my belly is almost gone! Eating lots of healthy foods I think really helps! (Those anti-inflammatory foods=pomegrante, blueberries,etc.)

I am so hoping mine won't be an issue. We leave for Cancun on 3/25.

It's been nearly 10 months for me and if I start "hefting" heavy packages, I still swell up. So as long as you're not trying to carry a lot of heavy stuff you shouldn't have too much trouble.