Why do I have another waistline?

I had a TAH/BSO took everything. The doc told me she had trouble finding tissue to reconnect everything when she got done. I now have my normal "waistline", then below that I have a little swelly belly, then I have another waistline (this is the one that I wonder about), below that a little more of a smaller swelly belly, below that is where my incision is. (No staples, sewn and steri-stripped). So, am I the only one with this other "pleat" that goes from one side to the other on my abdomen?

HI VBL,

You are coming up on 10 days post op, and you will be seeing your doctor soon. I am sure this is going to be your #1 question on your list. Please let us know what you find out. I am sure your doctor will be able to explain it.

Remember to keep drinking at least 8 large glasses of water a day, eat good food, rest as much as possible, and walk a little in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

Drop in and let us know how you are feeling, and also what your doctor has to say in answer to your question.

Blessings and s

My problem area seems to be right above the long horizontal scar I have. It is still pretty swollen, and I am 14 weeks post-op.
I must say though, it HAS gone down quite a bit since surgery..but it just goes to show you, it takes lots of time
:time2: to get back to normal.

Thanks ladies,

Ok, I guess that does make it question numero uno for my appt. on the 30th! I'm being a good princess, I'm like a fish, a lot and getting ton's of DH is his own boss - he's taking lots of time off and staying home to be the pillow !

Hello fellow princesses,

I, like so many of you, have a swelly just above the incision; below is just fine. It doesn't look so bad in the morning, but as the day wears on, the more I'm on my feet, the bigger the belly gets. Beware of the tight-pant syndrome!

At my four-week follow-up appointment last week, I asked what causes this swelly belly. My told me that all the lymph tissue was severed at time of surgery. As the flow is from feet up, fluid collects above the incision but not below. In time, these tissues (or glands or vessels or whatever) will regenerate and return to their normal function of carrying fluid away from the area, but this will take a long time, maybe months. Hence, resting with feet up will help keep the swelling down.

That makes perfect sense! Why weren't we told this from the beginning!

Lisa

Phew! I thought I was going to start having to list my measurements as 36-30-32-41!

It never ceases to amaze me, just when I think I'm the "only one" with a symptom, bam, someone on here saves me!! I too have the wonderful DunLap bellyroll, 6wks out. It's truly amazing to watch the inches around there change.. up - down.. Thank goodness for elastic!! I've excerised for 20+ years, and have had a fairly flat stomach from a billion situps, but alas..it hasnt helped above the incision, below is flat as you've already discussed!! Okay, patience hasnt been one of my virtues (am sure I have some ) Jeans are ok in the morning, but ooooooh, by afternoon, well just say I wear long shirts to cover up the zipper that gets undone more and more as the day goes by. Thanks for sharing..
Paula

Jeans? I remember them, made of denim, aren't they? Oh, those are things I used to wear before I became the elastic afficianado! I hear people are still tucking their shirts in too these days. I've always been a trendsetter. Hope they like the untucked look!

Loose flowing dresses (oh, that sounds elegant) or bibs have been clothes of choice along with my elastic too! I've thought of wearing DH jeans, but if they fit I would be devasted, so I just unzip mine. Oh, hey, have you noticed that you underwear seem to be attracted to that neat little indent right under your swellybelly?? The first time I put on my bikini panties after surgery (had been wearing what I call "granny panties until then) I wasnt sure if I wanted to laugh or cry.. none the less, I've put them in the back of the drawer hoping that this new addtional waistline will go away, and I will be able to wear them in the correct location! I
Paula

Maybe we need thongs! Then we could pick which waist to rest the elastic on!