Question:
I have two questions, one about Swelling and the other about Urinating...

Hi, In two days I'll be three weeks post op. I am still quite swollen in a spot above one of my Lap sites. In fact, I don't think the swelling has gone down much at all since surgery. It bulges out quite a bit. The surgeon says it's just swelling. My question is, how long does it take for it to go down? When should I start to worry? It still is quite painful when I get up and lay down. My second question is, (and I apologize about the nature of it), I have no feeling since surgery about when I should go pee. I know that this is from the anesthesia, but when should I get that sensation back? I haven't had an accident yet, since I go regularly just in case. But I never feel like I HAVE to. I have no problem going either. Sorry again about the nature of that question. Thanks in advance, Annie    — Annie R. (posted on August 28, 2001)

August 28, 2001
Well, I can't answer about the swelling, but about the urination.....I have had that problem too and I am 9 weeks post-op. The "need" is gradually coming back. I asked my dr. and she said the anesthesia is part of it, but during surgery, my "parts were shifted a little" and that could have removed some of the pressure on my bladder. Weight loss will remove even more pressure from our bladders. Also, I apologize ahead of time, the urine will have a particularly foul odor sometimes because of the anethesia as well as rapid weight loss with our bodies being in a state of ketosis...bad breath as well! Isn't this all just lovely. Would, of course, appreciate others' remarks on this topic.
   — Kat C.

August 28, 2001
Annie, I think that you should watch the swelling site carefully. If it begins to feel hot or ooze at all, call your doctor. My daughter had a problem with swelling after her c-section and it turned out that there was a pocket of air between skin layers. The pocket got inflamed and filled with fluid. She had to go back in for surgery to have it drained and cleaned. Everything turned out fine, but you should watch your incisions carefully, especially if they are red and/or tender.
   — Tammi H.

August 28, 2001
Annie, I am at 10 wks (VBG). I had the exact same urination problem you are experiencing. I asked my dr. about it at my 2 wk checkup. He said that I was not drinking enough fluids. This puzzled me because it seemed to me that it would only make things worse to drink so much since I could not tell when I had to go. I had also been told by friends that the catheter may have something to do w/it. I tried what he said and it seemed to help somewhat. I would say the sensation finally came back around 6 or 7 weeks. I would not say that I totally feel like that part of me is back to normal, however it has progressed quite a bit. I hope this helps you. It is nice to know that you are not the only person experiencing these things of the unknown.
   — Keri N.