Question:
Has anyone experienced a distended abdomen after eating meals?

I am 18 months postop and have been experiencing something wierd for the past month. When I wake up my abdomen area is flat but as I eat my meals and snacks it gets distended. By the time I finish dinner I look 9 months pregnant and the area is hard as a rock When I get up the next morning it is gone. This is the wierdest thing-as a result my clothes fit me in the morning but by night time I can't wait to unbutton my pants. I don't have a hernia. Has anyone experienced this? I am getting concerned. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Donna    — Donna B. (posted on May 8, 2003)

May 8, 2003
Almost sounds like gas, sort of accumulating all day. Um, ar eyour bowel habits normal, ok? Do you drink milk? Or use ice cream? Those may be causing you that kind of distention. For me, any kind of sugar will do it, too.
   — vitalady

May 8, 2003
Donna, oh my Gosh ! I can't believe you have just asked this question. The SAME thing has been happening to me and I also am 18 months out. Crazy isn't, well hopefully we'll get some answers. Good-luck to you. :)
   — Rho

May 8, 2003
I also was wondering the same thing. For me it's 7 months out & 100 lbs. down.. When I got dressed for work yesterday morning tummy was flat.. LOL.. well as flat as it can possibly be.. But then after lunch I looked 6 months pregnant.. and I only had very little to eat.. It is like this almost every day.. If anyone really figures it out please let me know the secret to the mystery.. Thanks [email protected]
   — Anne T.

May 9, 2003
My Science teacher at school just had the same problem. She is not a bypass person, but had two strictures in her esophogus caused by acid reflux. It hurt her though, kind of like when we get things stuck in our stoma. She truly looked pregnant after she ate!!! Her doctor dilated her and she has been fine since.
   — Betsy B.

May 16, 2003
It may possibly adominal edima. The excess skin created by this fabulous weight loss acts like a sponge. The fluids in the body settle there because the tissue isn't tight. I have a simular problem with my right leg. After a bad infection caused my leg to swell up to twice it's size, I would notice that everything was normal in the morning and by evening my leg would swell up again. Short of plastic surgery, the only advice I was given was to cut back on the salt and fat intake.
   — Dale G.