12 weeks - sore tummy

First let me start by saying I am feeling better than I have in years. This was the best medical decision I have ever made!

Now, what is with the sore tummy? From my belly button to my incision, the muscles are still very tender to pressure touch, and I still can not lift without some minor discomfort. Is this common? If so, how long does this take to go away? It is summer, and I have yard work to do. It is bad enough that I have to do it all with one arm tied to my side, but the sore tummy is really making it hard.

Hi dlpw3zk,

You are farther along than me and I am also recovering from 2 surgeries so I cannot comment from personal experience. I can say though that I keep hearing and reading that it can take 6 month to a year to get it all together and feel ok across the board.

If you have serious concerns another trip to the doctor's may be in order?

Take Care

Spritey aka Sharon

Hi dlpw3zk,

I'm post 10 mos. and my belly is still numb or feels funny from my bellybutton down to my incision. It is just going to take awhile to heal. The nurse told me that they cut through three layers and it takes time to heal. It is probably the nerve ends that they cut through that are going to take time to heal.

I'm hoping by my 1st. year Anniversary that the soreness and numbness will be gone. I guess I will have to wait and see. My mom also said that it would probably take up to a year to feel like my old self again.

Just take it easy and only do what your body tells you to do. Don't over do it.

nanner38

I also have the soreness at the incision site nad it hurts when I pick up things. Please be careful. I understand wanting to do things, it is frustrating.

Donna,
My surgery was Jan 23 & I still have a sore stomach too. I went to the dr last week & he said to give it another 6 weeks or so. There could be some adhesions or nerve damage but he thinks it will resolve itself. I also feel better than I have in years. Except for the soreness. Which is mostly just late in the day or if I overdo it. It's frustrating but I think we have to just try & be patient. Easier said then done I know. Take care.
Michelle

Glad to hear I''m not alone with this. I'm about 12 weeks also and have the same numbness at times. Also pain in left upper area of stomach. Doctor told me it could be scar tissue and to give it some time. He did tell me however if the pain got really bad or didn't seem to be going away to call and make an appt to see him and he'd do an ultrasound to make sure nothing was wrong!!!!

He also said that 6 months down the road I'd feel as if I never had any surgery....I hope he's right!!

Hi Donna - we share the same date! I have felt so much better this last week (just got over the insomnia - fingers crossed!) and it's really helped. I tried to move furniture cleaning today and vacuuming with a heavy vac and it pulled my stomach to the point I had to give up half way through the house. I really thought I'd be able to do it all. My stomach is a bit numb from my belly button down to my incision but it's actually worse below the incision and especially down my right side. It I touch the skin where it hurts most it feels like a burning sensation. This is doing nothing at all for my sex life as it's just a huge turn off! I hope it clears up soon! Take care x

Hi Everyone...

I'm 15 weeks out and feeling good most of the time but sometimes I just feel exhausted! And I have this recurring pain on my right side....it's the same place that hurt the most when I first woke up from surgery. My MD did an ultrasound and didn't see anything. He thinks it is still the nerves growing back and layers of tissue still healing. I notice it hurts more when I'm more busy and active. But it's been almost 4 months! I thought anything would heal by 4 months but all these sisters are right....I'm giving it 6 months to go away completely.

I'm grateful to hystersisters for making me take this seriously....I tend to minimize pain and health concerns.

Donna, I am also about 12 weeks out from abdominal surgery, three months today as a matter of fact (so hard to believe this much time has gone by!) and feel very much the way you do. I am also feeling much better than I had been, but am also still sore both near the incision area and also where my lymph nodes are in that general area. I did have a large fluid pocket that became infected a few weeks ago and wonder if that is part of why this area is still swollen and sore. My belly is more tender at the end of the day and when I wear pants with hard zippers that rub against the incision area. I am grateful that I am feeling better, but am still tired and sore more often and to a greater degree than I thought I would at this point. I am sorry that you and others are also feeling this way, but it is also reassuring to know that I am not alone. Hope you and others continue to feel better sooner than later.

I feel sore too on the abdomen...I am 12 weeks today.