Firm Swelly Belly?

I've searched all our your wonderful advise threads and didn't see anything about this. I'm at 9 weeks post op with the dreaded swelly belly still hanging on. My question is does anyone else have a firm belly? I know this sounds a little weird, but my belly goes down overnight, then by noon the next day it appears again, but is firm....not soft or jiggly. I lost 7 pounds after the surgery and have stayed the same since. My recovery has been EXCELLENT, no pain, no mood swings (thank goodness for Climara) and I feel like an entirely NEW woman. I went back to work at 6 weeks to a desk job and have the luxury of a DH that caters to my every need. (No cooking or cleaning unless I feel up to it) I've been walking on the treadmill since week 3, so why do I have this hard "gut" and how do I get rid of it?

I wish I could help but I am in the same boat. In the morning before work I am ok and then by the afternoon it feels like my pants are going to bust at the seams. I hope someone out here has some information. I too have been walking and I do so everyday at work.
Take care,

Hi Zoesgram,

I'm glad to hear that your recovery has gone well for you. About the swelly-belly , what you're describing sounds pretty much like how mine was. My belly wasn't soft or jiggly, not that it was rock hard either. But I'd say that 'firm' was a good way to describe it.

It can take several months for some women before their swelly-belly completely goes away. Waking up with the swelling down and having it reappear as your daily activities go on can be normal. You should continue to see an improvement as time goes by. Of course, if you are worried or have concerns, speaking with your Dr. is always advised to be on the safe side.

Best wishes and s

Yep...got the same thing here. I think it's pretty normal for the TAH ladies...hense the saying "swelly belly". I've read that it can last up to a year, especially after long days on the feet.

The reason...I've only read this and have not asked my doctor...is that during surgery the lymph system is cut. The lymph carries fluids or drains fluids in our bodies. At night while laying horizontal, the fluids work off in different directions so when we first get up the belly is not as tight, hard or big. Through out the day the fluids build up but tummy cannot get rid of it. It takes up to a year for the lymph to rebuild/re-route so-to-speak.

Like I said...it's only a theory I've read and I need to ask my doctor. I think our tummy would feel hard if it was fluid or gas. All I know for sure.... is that morning is so much better.
Maralyn

I also have heard that the firmness is scar tissue forming. I am 6 weeks post op and still have it. I also have that tingling sensation whenever I touch my skin. I was told that was cut nerve endings that hadn't healed yet.

Thanks everyone for your input....I guess patience is REQUIRED right now. It's so great not to bleed to death 2 weeks of every month and the freedom to be with DH anytime we want.... I guess a swelly belly right now is an OK trade-off. (But it would be nice to be a little thinner)

I am in the same boat - I can fit in my jeans in the morning - but want out of them by noon... by 5pm, I need to be in elastic waist pants. A YEAR I might need a new wardrobe

Linda