5 weeks post-op - Is this normal?

Hi all!

Well, I'm 5 weeks and two days post-op.

I still have pain, pulling, stinging pain once in while and pain by the end of the day almost every day.

A big question is: After 5 weeks, I'm still swollen as anything, hasn't really gone down...I look pregnant and fitting into my clothes is a distant memory. I have been wearing sweats for 5 weeks now and it is getting very cold here in Colorado...not to mention I am extremely self-conscious because I think everyone is staring at my protruding belly thinking I'm pregnant.

Any help on this issue? LOL. Thanks

Hmmm, doesn't sound normal to me but we do all heal differently.

Are you due to see the Dr soon, if not I would make an appointment to discuss this.

Katy

I am 5 weeks today, you sound exactly like me, I see my doc on Nov 4,

for a short while I was able to sleep on my side, but now it is pulling,

I do however, feel as though I am moving forward every day, I am still

wearing the 3 sweat pants that I own, I am sure people are wondering

"why does that lady keep wearing the same thing" I am still a few inches

(while alot) away from my jeans and so NOT liking the feel of anything

rubbing against me, I deal with the sweats but my big waist line does not

like it, and I have a bikini cut. Why is my waist around the belly button area

so hyper sentitive?, I don't know but it is. lol

I do, for the most part feel GOOD!

Girl, you sound JUST like me!!

As much as I hate to hear that you are uncomfortable as well, at least neither one of us is alone, right?

I now own 5 pair of sweats, or "lounge pants" as they call them. They are unflattering, to say the least, especially with the giant swollen tummy protruding from them!! Sometimes I just stare at my belly in awe. I'm starting to worry it will never go away! I have a bikini line incision as well...about 10.5 inches across with a lovely shelf of scar tissue or something hard protruding above it; I call it my shelf!

Oy vey, make it all go away!

Last night after I accidentally tripped over a stool in the kitchen...I had hot poker like twinges all night. Such fun this is...

I hope you feel better!!!

Take care,
Nan

Nannie, I am with ya. I had my surgery the day after you and I am still feeling it. Not as much pain, but a lot of discomfort most of the time. Today is a pain day, but I overdid it (again,,ugh ) The swelling is still there with me as well. I live in Maine so its pretty cold here as well and the sweats don't keep out the cold the way the faithful old jeans do. Good luck

Hey ladies. I still felt like this for about 7 - 8 weeks by the end of every day. I went on a European trip at 5 1/2 weeks so was doing a lot of walking from week 6 on and had the swelly belly and pulling and occasional jabbing pain right up until about week 10. These kind of symptoms are usually because we haven't got the rest / activity balance right (usually we are doing too much) according to my Doc. The important thing is to take time to rest and listen to your body and adjust your activities for a while longer. Six months on, I still need to do this occasionally (lifted too much yesterday and feeling it today). Having said that, from about week 10 I felt like I hadn't been so well in years - and it is hard to take the time to rest when you feel so great. However, the surgery involves lots of internal stitching and my Dr said the internal healing doesn't fully complete until about the 12 month mark. The surgery was the best health decision I made this year and I don't have any regrets. Happy healing. Don't forget to you are still in the early weeks of your internal recovery and you are worth the pampering!

Ladies,
thank you for sharing. I'm at 5 weeks and have had a real pity party all day.

I'm sore all over, particularly by lower back, my belly is really swollen and tender, I'm getting shooting pains around my belly button (this is new!). I thought I was healing so well and now I feel like I've fallen back a week or more

At least I'm not alone, but I really hope that all of us start to feel better soon!

Hey ladies, I hate to say this...but that swelly belly feeling and jabs of pain can last for a while. I know mine seemed to last forEVER! I used the abdominal binder during the day to help control the swelly belly a bit. I didn't attempt wearing jeans for a good 3-4 months...but I also received post-op radiation, my major reason for not wearing anything that would rub or irritate. Sweats became a staple of my wardrobe.

The good news is: While it may last a few months... It won't last forever! Maybe go to a 2nd hand store and pick up a couple pairs of jeans a size larger than you normally wear?