lower abdomen is really puffy! (12 days after laparoscopy)

My lower stomach is REALLY puffy!  I mean its been puffy since surgery but it's not really going down.  I have a really bloated kind of feeling.  It feels almost distended, like I realize that I have gained a little weight from my inativity, but the puffy part of my stomach isn't squishy like fat is when i'm standing up straight, it's like more firm feeling, and I noticed that wearing jeans still really kind of hurts my stomach (it's very tight on the puffy area).  The area in general is tender.  Is this normal?  I this just weight gain?  If it's just bloating, how can I get it to go down?!  

[dnikki0928]

Hmmm, I can't tell you exactly what it is but, are you able to go #2 on a regular basis since surgery? That could be one of many things causing the bloating and firmness. Also sometimes it takes longer in some woman to get all the gas out. But I would call your doctors office in the morning to rule out anything else just to be on the safe side - especially since it's after surgery. It's better to call and it be nothing than to let it go and it be something major! Good luck and let us know what's going on :)

[GMcp]

if i were you id try some gas relieve meds but ask your doctor first

[purple441122]

Thanks for the responses!  I have been very regular for the past week and a half so I don't feel like the problem is constipation.  It feels kind of like bloating or swelling of some sort... I guess I will give it some time and see if it goes down or gets any worse before I call the doctor.

[justscore]

It took me atleast 6 months after each of my surgeries for my stomach to go back down.  Remember how much trauma it goes thru on the inside. :)

Hope you are feeling back to "normal" soon!

Heidi