6 days post op and concerned.

I had surgery May 22nd. The surgery seemed to go very well. I had very little pain, but the problem was that I wasn't getting fluid off me. I wasn't going to the bathroom enough and I started to swell. I swelled around the abdomin and hip area so bad my panties left marks. The nurses said this was normal, but I look huge. Now that I am home I feel as though it should be coming off, but instead, I am still bloated and puffy. I am sure I weigh more now that before the surgery from all this retention. Any thoughts? Rachael

Hey Sweetie.. i know Exactly how u feel.. i am having trouble using the bathroom too and it feels like i am swelling.. i am 2 weeks post-op.. but trust me.. even though u don't have the urge to go.. go ne way.. just make it a habit... everything is going to be fine.. I will keep u in my prayers.. Good luck on recovery.. u will be sore for a while.. trust me.. i know...LOL.. God Bless......

Rachael, when i left the hospital i couldn't even wear my shoes cuz i was so swollen! Keep drinking your water!!! my first week check, i didn't gain or lose any weight, 2nd week i was down 7 lbs. Tha****er weight WILL come off, don't fret about it!! make sure your voiding normally though, if your not voiding, i would be calling your surgeon, to let him know. your first week appointment should be near, i would mention it when you go in. Good luck! ~Alison

Rachael, You can wear your panties?? I'm bloated too in the upper and lower abdomen. I can't wear mine right now or it hurts. I'm chalking some of this to gas, all the air that got into the body cavity during surgery and then all the fluids they pumped into me before, during and after surgery. When I came home Tuesday night, I got on the scale (old addition, hard to change) and I had gained over 7 lbs while I was in the hospital. If you are not urinating, as someone suggested, you should check in with your surgeon. How much fluid are you taking in right now?? The first few days I wasn't getting in much water, but I'm getting better and I'm seeing that help. Also with the gas bloat, my doctor said I could take Gas-X to help alleviate some of the gas. Diane

Hi Rachael, I will be 3 weeks out Monday. When I came home from the hospital, I a had gained 17 lbs from the morning I entered. That, plus the bloating from the gas I was the same size and felt the same as right before I delivered my 10 lb daughter!!!. I am not joking. My abdomen was hugh. It took quite a while for it to resolve and my stomach is still swollen and tender. Make sure you are getting your liquids in and try to go to the bathroom even if you do not feel like you need to. If your urine is dark and in small amts you are not getting in enough liquids. Feel assured that the water weight from the hospital and the bloating will get better. Also it will take time for all of the swelling to go down. "They just rearranged your insides!!!!! Take care of your self and sip, sip, sip. Pat

Hi Rachael! I had my surgery on 5/18 so i'm right before you! I just want you to know that people are STILL asking when i'm due. I was never big in the upper abdomen and belly (but boy oh boy do i have hips and butt) so people seeing me were like you're pregnant again?! Gosh, that was a wee tad painful to hear. It's coming off really really slowly, i go to the surgeons on 5/30 so i'll be able to tell you how much i've lost thus far. Be Well, ANDI

How did you do Andrea? My surgery was on 5/18, and I'm only down 10 and STILL feel hard and bloated. So uncomfortable!

Howdy Rachel! I'm down 12 pounds and i feel great! I'm starting to get my energy back (amen) and the weight loss is slow but steady. I was all bummed out because many in my group have lost over 20 pounds, but then they've got more to lose. I need to lose about 95 more pounds and i'm at goal....amazing that i'm saying 95 pounds like it's nothing but compared to 120 which is what i was starting with, i'll take it. I hope you're doing well, please keep in touch. Hugs, ANDI

Hey Rachael! I was a little bloated the first day out of surgery, but the more that I walked and moved around, the better it got, and the more I went to the bathroom. Just don't stop sipping the water and moving around as much as tolerable to keep things flowing. The swelling will drop back down and you'll start to see the results of the surgery soon. Leia

Hey Rachcel, I know exatly how you feel. I gained 13 lbs during my stay in the hospital, from the fluid retention and the gas pumped into me. I was seriously freaked when I got on a scale my last day there!. But I kept moving, and sipping water. Now I am 11 days post op and I have lost the fluid weight gain and all the swelling has gone down. Try to keep the fluids going and the walking--it will help. I agree with whoever said you should mention to your dr. about your voiding. Maybe you should keep a log till you go in and just track how many time you go? That way your dr. will have something to consider when he/she examines you. Good luck.