swelly belly 3 months post op TVH

Hi all!
I still cannot fit into my jeans! My doctor thinks i'm bloated from retaining fluids as though i'm having perpetual PMS, and told me to drink water! I also am still tired. Is this normal after 3 months!!!
Thanks for listening

Hi!

I am almost 8 months post-op. I had the swelly belly for about the first 6 months! It has finally gone down. My doctor said that is common and it can sometimes take a up to a year to completely go away. Drinking plenty of water is good for the body - I try to drink at least 6-8 glasses a day. (especially during the PMS time - helps to "cleanse" the system.) Take care.


s

This too has been one of the strangest side effects of the hyst for me, the water retention. I have humungously fat fingers whenever I walk, my feet swell up, never had such a problem before. I am 7.5 weeks post op, wondering if this is the trade off for no periods, I guess I'll take it. Even though I have not gained any actual weight since surgery, I am going to buy new clothes soon so my tummy will be more comfortable!

Since I'm behind you don't have any encouraging news yet, sorry!

Teena

I'm at 3 months post op as of yesterday. I also gave up and bought some "big clothes". I really hate being uncomfortable so I opted for clothes too big and comfortable than something that looked good but was tight late in the afternoon. I had expected that the swelly belly would subside with the pain. Nope. At this point, I guess I'll be happy if by winter, it's shrinking.

I also still occasionally have some pain, kind of a burning pain in my lower abdomen. But it's on and off, usually when I do too much. (And I often do too much. I'm in law school and it doesn't wait for anyone!).

I couldn't wear any of my regular clothes and be comfortable for about 6 months, either.

It can take from 6-12 months to feel 100% well post op. It is normal to have some degree of tiredness for months after this surgery. If it is severe, though, talk to your dr.

My tiredness was total at first. Then it was more "instant ", taking very little time to get there. Couldn't do much of anything, and there it was. Then I went through a period of "sudden" fatigue where I would think I was just doing so good energywise and suddenly WHAM!!!! I was totally exhausted. Never saw it coming. Now, it doesn't come like that anymore and I have my energy back at a consistent level and no surprise fatigue attacks anymore..

Now I can do everything I did before and then some! It did take 6 months to get there. And I thought it was never going to happen. But it did. Don't be too discouraged. I'm living proof that it does get better.

There's really no way to speed the process up. You'll get there, but you'll need to be patient with yourself.

__________________

I guess thats why we are called Patients! I'm with you on the thing at 3 months...it's so good to know I'm not alone! I have been so frustrated and was not seeing any difference since about week 6 in my recovery! I, too am tired in the afternoon...it hits me so fast that I would hate to know what I would be doing if I was back at work! I haven't gone back except for a few days cause it is very slow right now and they don't need me yet, so I guess I will take advantage of the extra time off. I feel great in the AM and do all that I can, and take a nap every afternoon...I'm amazed that I can sleep for an hour and still go to bed at night and sleep! Before surgery, I could have never done that!
Take care!

I just want to thank all of you who replied to my post. It is so comforting to know that i am not alone. I will just have to let time heal.....i just hope it's not too much longer!! smile.
thanks again