Need some encouragement

I am 5 weeks post op and have been working for 2 weeks. I am walking 4 miles a night, but continue to have some swelling in the lower abdominal area and across the incision. I want this gone, I'm probably expecting too much. I have not restricted myself very much except the first 2 weeks. How long will the swelling continue, I am a little afraid that I've done too much and I''m going to be in trouble when I go back to the doctor Wed.

TAH
5/23/02

cheribeaty39:
At 5 weeks, I did the same type of thing...although I was not as ambitious as you have been. About three weeks before surgery, I had been walking about 2 miles a day so I was very anxious to get back to my routine....However, I found that it was too much so I cut back to walking less...resting more...and realizing that swelly belly takes a while to go down. At 4 months post-op, I still find swelly belly to be annoying...but my daughters say that my stomach looks a LOT better in the last couple of weeks. I am back to walking as far as I did but not as frequently. However, I working my way back to where I was...Hope you will find yourself each day gaining strength and stamina. This surgery is major and takes some physical regrouping but from what I hear from those way out ahead of me, there is every reason to expect full recovery over time. Hard for me to be patient...which may be the case for you, too. You sound like you have been in terrific shape so it may be frustrating to find yourself losing any of your wonderful physical strength! You'll do so well I am sure! God Bless, :

Thanks for the support, feel better that I can expect the belly to get better in a few months. Hoping that the doctor allows be to go water sking the 4th of July. Been saying my prayers and crossing my fingers.

I hope everyone has a great holiday next week and I value this web site more than I can say. Thanks so much.

I didn't do anything except eat, , and around the house at 2 weeks. Swelly belly gets better each week and month I've learned from this site. My swelling seems to be worst at night, especially when I've done too much. As long as you don't start bleeding or having major pain, you're probably doing OK.
I'm doing exactly what the doctor tells me since this is my first surgery in my life. Can't believe you were back to work at 3 weeks. My doctor told me nothing except light filing at 4 weeks; other than that, on leave for 6 weeks. Take it easy on yourself. Remember you just had major surgery and shouldn't be taken lightly. Your body (in and out) needs lots of healing time.

You should not be doing anything that your doctor has not cleared you to do. You have had a major surgery and even when the external incisions looked healed you still have a major amount of healing going on internally.

You are still in the crucial recovery stage and over doing will definately cause more swelling. I was not cleared to begin my normal workouts until 6 weeks and even then I had to gradually ease back up to the level I was at prior to surgery.

Has your doctor approved your return to work and the amount of walking you are doing? Please be sure to follow all post-op instructions your doctor has given you. If you are unsure of anything give the doctor or nurse a call.

I am almost 5 months post-op and still get swelly belly on days I have been active. My doctor said this is common and can last up to a year.

Try to be patient with the healing process. I know it is especially difficult when the weather is so nice and there are so many things you would like to do. Better to heal completely without complications than to risk a longer recovery. Take care.

s