Stomach Swollen
I'm 9 days post op and can eat about 2 oz at a time. Depending what size your sleeve is can make a difference too but it is definately VERY possible to still be swollen, considering what we had done it takes quite a while to heal and swelling could last for a while.
HW 315; Surgery Date 3/19/13, SW 300.5; PreOp: 14.9, W1-4: 21.2, W5-8: 15, W9-12: 13.4, W13-16:
So let's have the talk about "swelly belly"...
If it is not warm to the touch, hard, etc. It may be (and likely is) Swelly Belly (thank you to the women of the hysterectomy forums for coining this term so well).
No one warned me. No one gave me a heads up like I have for a few others... But I'd had laparoscopic abdominal surgery and I was "expecting" it.
On the day of surgery... I had a waist measurement of 41 inches. It took a total of 4 WEEKS to reach that again.
Surgery was Tuesday January 8th... When I got home Thursday January 10th my poor (typically defined) waist was 48 inches when I hadn't over done it and the time I did overdo it I went to a whopping 50 inches.
Bit by bit the swelling goes down but it is not "fast" and you will still notice you could have some puffiness up to months later (like 6 months later you could be out wandering around at a theme park and at the end of the day your pants are too tight... belly a bit puffy...). Welcome to "swelly belly".
It is an unfortunate side effect of almost all abdominal surgeries FYI. It will end... It just takes time. You two are probably not even "fully healed on the outside"... the messed up part is it can take months beyond that point to heal "inside".
Wait till you've lost enough weight that you can see your little pouch make a little round spot when you drink or eat... and then watch it go down as it is digested. That's kind of fun if YOU notice the alien baby in your sleeve... not so much when others do... (passing you shape wear NOW).
Shell
Dr Sullivan VSG Jan. 8th, 2013!
Lost 100 lbs in a year post op with a VSG.
OMG, with all that I've read here on OH, this was the first time this came up! I was going to ask how did one know if the belly was swollen...Shell, you sure gave alot of good info!! thank you sooo much!! and I was just thinking this afternoon, well, guess I need to go buy some shapewear!!! LOL so it's ok that my spare tire is bigger then before...whew...
Sophie
I am sort of surprised it doesn't come up, and at the same time not surprised. Some will notice and wonder... Some won't notice... Many won't ask because they worry they are doing something "wrong".
When I saw the thread it had 58 views and 1 reply. I'm just glad I had an answer.
As long as not hard, warmer then surrounding area, or red... yep. This happens.
If you have 1 or more of those haul arse to an ER if after hours or consult with your surgeon. ESPECIALLY if you have a fever, vomiting, etc.
I've had 3 major abdominal surgeries (many, many minor). 2 laproscopic, and 1 open. 1 slim, 1 obese category 2, 1 obese category 3. All with "swelly belly" resulting. I was 15 with the one while slim... Open surgery Saturday. Home Monday. Fashion show rehearsal Wednesday which required re-sizing EVERYTHING due to swelly belly. Show Thursday and Friday nights. Didn't have a name for it but it happened then also. *shrug*
I now expect it and go home in track pants or tights that are WAY too big. Don't stress... and wait to "hit normal" about 4-6 weeks out at the earliest.
Shapewear will give you compression/support which is good but can be sore when removed. The tank top style... tucked into your undies (yeah I tuck mine in my undies to prevent rolling, and to tuck it under my belly so no skin rubbing) is a winner but don't pu**** too much right at first as it really can make you sore... Regular cotton tank tops will help smooth things too.
It is OK if it is bigger then before... LOL! If you measure in the morning on waking and before bed it is way different also FYI.
*big hugs*
Shell
Dr Sullivan VSG Jan. 8th, 2013! Lost 100 lbs in a year post op with a VSG.
