Swelly Belly Worries

This site has been a lifesaver, so much information from such caring women. Your words of wisdom are both educational and comforting.

Scheduled for a LAVH 5/4/04 for 2 grapefruit size fibroids and very enlarged uterus. Hopefully get to keep both ovaries my right one has a large cyst on it, so won't know till after surgery.

Still nervous about swelly belly blues. I am fairly slim with an athletic build. My jobs are very physical, I am a self employed massage therapist as well as a trainer at a womens fitness center. I knew something was wrong when my normally flat tummy (never had children) could not even be pulled in. Side view is really freaking me out. Went from flat as a pancake on 12/1/03 to the size of a 14 weeks pregnancy by 2/13/04.

What can I expect post-op? Swelly belly? If so, for how long?
Will ther be any vaginal bleeding? If so, for how long?

I have a big family wedding 10 1/2 weeks post-op. Can I expect to fit into the gorgeous dress I bought in January? Will I feel well enough to truly ENJOY this wedding?

I'll focus on these minor details for now to keep my mind off the surgery for at least another couple of weeks.

Anxious to hear from anyone!!!

I was able to enjoy a vacation at the end of 4 weeks, but don't count on not having swelly belly. Mine looks pretty good in the morning (I'm almost 8 weeks) but by the end of a work day I'm still pretty puffy. I don't know if being in good shape ahead of time helps. I felt so crummy for the year or so leading up to my surgery from anemia that I had totally stopped working out. This definitely seems to be an individual thing. But you should be feel well enough to have fun at the wedding.

I had the same experience of not being able to hold in my stomach because of the fibroid. Now at least my lower stomach looks normal again.

Best wishes and have fun at that wedding in any event, even if you have to wear a different dress!

Pam
TAH/BSO 1/29/04

HI,
I had an LAVH on 2/18/04. Mostly only had swelly belly in the evening of days when I over did myself (I used a cold pack from the freezer which helped alot). I am 5 weeks post-op and can get into my jeans again, but they are uncomfortable by afternoon. As for fitting into your dress, I would guess that you would be able to. Just a reminder since you are very physically active, NO EXCERCISE for 6 weeks. My doctor allowed (actually advised) walking only. I am a runner and have not been able to run at all. I cannot even lift my 10lb dumbells. It is so important to follow your doctors orders exactly so that you may recover completely and not encounter any unnecessary complications.

As for the bleeding, I never had any bleeding. I had some pinkish discharge for about the first 3 weeks that was very light. I used pantiliners. One would have been plenty for each day, but to keep feeling fresh, I changed the liner 3 times each day.

Last Friday, my DH and I went to a big benefit dinner that was from 7pm to 1am. There was alot of standing and talking with people, dancing (but not for me - no excercise). It was a long evening, but I had a great time. I enjoyed every minute. I was pretty tired on Saturday, but then I was out until 1am.

I hope this helps.

Good luck.