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bloating or gaining weight after surgery??

Is it normal to be bloated or feeling like I am gaining a pound everyday after surgery? It's only been 5 weeks since my hysterectomy, and I'm not eating much since then either. My same clothes I have been wearing are getting tighter and tighter. How can things change this fast?? Yes I am not as physical right now, but I am "puffed up" more than normal. I'm still in pain sometimes, but trying to take care of myself the best I can. I would love to hear from other's about their post hysterectomy situations.  Thanks....Shannon.
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Avatar universal
Hi Prairiefarmgirg. I had to have a Hysterectomy ( complete ) when I was 29, I'm now 46.  To answer your question, yes, its common as your body is adjusting to the new chemical imbalance. Depending on your age and lifestyle your GYN should place you on a HRT Hormone Replacement Therapy.  I chose not to use this therapy as I was against artificial, pharmaceuticals at that point in life. I used OTC products recommended by pharmacy and Dr. such as soy based products. My advice is to talk with your GYN. Seek second option if you wish. But weight gain, hot flashes, night sweats, sleeplessness & lack of sexual drive are all very common. Yes, you may still be experiencing some discomfort -pain for a few months after Hysterectomy. It will pass. Take care.
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You are still early post-op so this may just be bloating. But weight gain is a fairly common complaint after hysterectomy regardless of whether or not ovaries are removed. Hopefully, your recovery will be over soon and you can get back to your normal activities which should help.
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I had a total removal of uterus, cervix and ovaries just last week.  I am 50 yeras old, so I dont care about not having babies.  Seems I have gained weight and always bloated.  The pain when the wind comes out is terrible.  The doctor says it take a while to settle as the body is getting used to the empty space.  
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I had a total hysterectomy October 2nd 2015 @ 31 yrs.old... By January I had gained 20lbs. I don't know if it's the hormones they had me on or not but doc took me off , which was a BIG mistake! Don't ever stop taking them, I'm completely psycho now.
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:( I am so sorry, Kim. This certainly puts my tummy bloating/weight gain issue into perspective. I hope that you will be able to get some help and will be feeling better very soon. Take care.
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I'm 42yo and had the full abdominal incision on 10/13/15. They took my uterus, tubes and part of cervix. Now that I'm a good 6 months out I am becoming frustrated that my belly is still quite bloated by the end of the day. And when does the annoying numbness get better? lol I have been working out every day...by the end of the day my pants are so tight and sometimes even in the morning too. I guess I can live with a couple more months of this, I just hope it's not forever. I'm starting to freak out a little. Feels like no matter how much I diet and exercise, I can't get back to my normal shape. Any added weight that I gain seems to go on different than it did before. I'm hoping that most of it is just water retention to the whole stomach/hip area from the swelling.
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Just wondering how you are doing now.  I had one ovary, both tubes, and an infected appendix (was a bonus surprise on the op table!).  Full incision.

I'm 7 was post op and belly swells during the day.  Pre op wax very fix and weight trained regularly with moderately heavy... Deadlifts and squats (185#;135# resp).

I started back last week e very light weights and some core work.  Not really an focused but core strengthening. Belly seems very hard and bloated, especially in evenings.  Very disappointing as I work in professional office and most my wardrobe hoghlighted a small waist and flat belly.  Now I just feel middle age poohs!!  
Avatar universal
How awful Kim! Was your surgery done by the da Vinci robot? That method seems to have quite a bit more complications than other methods due to lack of training as well as machine malfunctions. I hope you can get answers and solutions soon. Unfortunately, very few doctors will "bad mouth" another doctor especially if they are affiliated with the same hospital(s). And it can be difficult to find a doctor who will treat a patient who has surgical complications / damage.
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Hi I had a total hysterectomy almost 5 months ago, I am finally going back to work in a few weeks from now, not because I have recovered, but because I can no longer financially afford not to! Everyone said to me that having the hysterectomy would be the best thing to happen in my life! If only I felt that way, I have had nothing but problems ever since, my problems have been with my bowel & bladder, I don't go very often, my tummy is still very uncomfortable, you know the initial 1st few weeks where it hurts when you laugh, sneeze, cough, open your bowels, pass wind etc! Yep I am still having all that, I also every few weeks test positive for infection so have had anti biotics at least once a month for the last 4 months! I had vaginal bleeding 2 weeks after the op (I know this is going to sound strange now) but I only got the vaginal bleeding when I opened my bowels & Yes it was coming from my vagina NOT my back passage (I was back in hospital by this stage for another 8 days) I lost count the amount of times I had to explain what passage the bleeding was coming from! I am now at my wits end, because I really do not know what is wrong! What could have gone wrong! Or why!! I am due to see another surgeon in 3 weeks time (this appointment was made as an urgent request) so far I have waited 8 weeks just for the date, I am so swollen it's unreal, my tummy feels like it's going to burst, I get heartburn/indigestion every time I so much as put anything in my mouth (I have never had heartburn or indigestion before in my life) I also get a lot of reflux at least 5 times a week, so I vomit a fair bit! All in all I am getting really down about all this, as I feel no one is listening to me when I say, I feel something is very wrong!! Can anyone help me at all?? Has anyone else felt like this? If so, how did you get it sorted out? Many Thanks ladies x
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I didnt think they were related but after my hysterectomy 1 yr ago aug i started having trouble with nausea and vomitting. I then had a sonogram of my gall bladder and it showed I had stones and sludge so in sept had it taken out. Now i am not nauseated very often but still throwing up and having real bad bloating and it is worse at nite!!! I dont know why and becus of depression i have had trouble getting to post op appt. Anyone else have this??
Avatar universal
Weight gain and bloating seem to be common complaints after hysterectomy even when ovaries are not removed. Since you are still having quite a few hot flashes and fatigue, it sounds like your HRT is not the best fit for you. It may be worth increasing your dose or trying some other HRT.  
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me to awful nurses post op good before ...one night nurse dosed me up on all pain killers so she didnt have to do a night round... good luck
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im 8 months post op ..feel very bloated still seem to be gaining weight too although never do usually im on hrt still get quiet few hot flushes want to no is this weight gain normal will it slow down and will the bloated feeling go away .....boobs have grown to quiet a lot too...still get very tired out scar hurts still too to push ... would love to no bout the weight gain from anyone...xx
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Avatar universal
So glad you are happy with your decision and healing well! Bloating is very normal at this point in your recovery! Lots of healing going on in there...just because we can't see it they have cut, removed, shifted things around and sutured things back up...so bloating is super normal from fluid being retained to heal the "wounded" areas...
Prunes, pears, kiwis are all very much promoters of moving the bowels to name a few...hopefully you are back on track in that department now...;)
I fully understand the torture of being stuck on the couch...I had 4 surgeries in one year and had to do nothing but walking for a year...and the year before I had a 6.5 hour surgery so I was not even fully back to my "regular" from that one before the next slew of surgery came along...I am now trying to get back on track with my exercise, but must say it's been a challenge with life and being so out of it being my normal...luckily ~ Even with Hashimoto's disease I am still very thin but need to work on my muscle mass and bone density...but I get that one...it was torture! Do keep in mind though with all you've been through when your body asks for rest...give in! Gentle walking is enough for now! You have lots of healing to do! If it were me...I wouldn't even bother with the scale til you are back to normal!  It will all come back to normalcy before you know it! ;)
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Avatar universal
I had a vaginal hysterectomy on Wednesday the 9th and was out of the hospital within 24 hours.  They removed cervix, uterus, and one ovarie and fixed my prolapsed bladder.  I feel 100% better already.  I was having lots of problems with my prolapse.  I'm very active and laying in the couch is like torture treatment.  I'm trying to walk as much as I can. I feel very bloated and am afraid to step on the scale.  I'm going to concentrate on eating lots of fruits and salads etc.  I have not had a bowel movement yet so hopefully this will help. I thought I would lose weight not gain,  this is my First surgery ever and I was petrified.  So glad it is over.
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one more thing...get copies of all blood works done and start reading about what it all means...you will learn how to better take care of you! ;)
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Avatar universal
it is VERY normal to have "bloating" after surgery...your body retains fluids to help the process of healing...also things swell....remember they cut on your body...cut out organs...think about what your skin does when you get a cut...now make it a thousand times bigger! Your body has been through major trauma! This should be done at a year out...if you are still struggling with weight/bloat...time to see a dr. again...you might have pelvic organ prolapse for which you need to see a urogynecologist to address and get answers. You might also need more hormone replacement therapy because our hormones are critically important in every action of our body...every cell uses them. You might also have thyroid problems...it can be so many things...I am 11 years out from my hysterectomy/bso and have had several other surgeries and with each one the bloat happens...it subsides...my weight has maintained well until my thyroid quit working properly...my adrenals have not functioned well since before the hysterectomy so it's a huge balancing act in keeping my body running as smooth as possible...I would suggest if you are still in the "Healing phase" of your surgery to just be kind to your body....listen to it...walk daily, rest when you are tired...if you are past the "healing curve" (1 year) time to start seeking answers...check your activity and eating...if they are on track then it's most likely a hormone issue and not just our sex hormones...but the whole endocrine system...if one part goes off so does everything else...get a blood work panel done for your female  hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) also have your thyroid hormones checked, vitamin d, adrenals (saliva test), sugar levels, growth hormone, sex binding hormone, make sure on all the test they are checking bound and free not just bound...our bodies are very complex and when one thing is changed (taking our female organs) it changes how the body communicates with it's self...so get things balanced, make sure you're not dealing with pelvic organ prolapse causing stool and urine to be staying in your body...be checked for gluten sensitivities...it can be so many things...so get a good dr. to help you sort it out and if the one's you try won't go by both blood work and your symptoms move on until you find one who will!  Keep seeking answers!
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Avatar universal
Pre op I was using a natural product called "Harmony" which is great for hot flashes. My flashes were completely gone but are now back after the hysterectomy. Drat! I am back on them and have increased the amount I am taking but the flashes continue and I am back to throwing the blankets on and off all night long. The Dr says I'll have to go on HRT but naturally I don't want to!. This morning As I lay sleeping my Cat decided to use my stomach as a launching pad and jumped on the sorest part of my tummy. That must've put me back two days? Sigh~ when will this bloating pass....?
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Avatar universal
I just passed the 3 week mark and am like all of you, voncrned with the bloating. So relieved it's normal. I had a  complete Laproscopically assisted Hysterectomy. This removed Fallopian tubes, both ovaries, cervix and Uterus as I had multiple fibroids , cysts on both ovaries as well as a large growth on right ovary. I was taking liquid iron before my surgery as well as "Norma  fibre" as I suffered with constipation. Norma Fibre was and is excellent although it didn't seem to be as effective  post op, but is getting better now. ,so glad to hear that bloating is "normal" but unhappy to hear it lingers. Does anyone know of a natural product that helps with bloating?
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Thank you :-) did loose the extra weight plus 3 pounds , but still can't fit in my clothes , very swollen , hope for it to go down soon
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You are only 5 days post-op. The bloating is probably from all that gas they pump in you for laparoscopic surgery. Hope it goes down soon and your recovery is uneventful.
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I am so glad I found this thread ,(even though , it don't give me much hope of my Belly disappearing soon ) I am only 5 days post op , I had labroscopic surgery and the removed everything , I am 11 pounds heavier and look 9 month pregnant :-( , so depressed about this , there is no way I can fit in any of my clothes except for a few long flowy maxi dresses :(
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I had my hysterectomy 2011 it was good procedure at first stomach bloat was gone lost 8 pds. But I now have flashes. Bloating and a knot in my stomach and almost no desire for sex! Please is anyone having same issue? And what is this knot In my stomach
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I had a Lap Hysterectomy Feb 6th/14. I was told by the nurse there may be a discharge and that is normal as long as its minimal and not bright red.
This is the case however, there is an odor associated with the discharge, I am showering 3 times a day and can still notice it. I am making an appointment with the surgeon on Monday, but thought I would see if anyone has experienced this or has thoughts on why?
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Had a total hysterectomy 4 weeks ago and have just begun to feel well, however still have bouts of extreme tiredness.  Have kept my ovaries but certainly plunged into menopause after surgery (mood swings, hot flushes) and sought my doctors help 10 days ago, am now on HRT and feel so much better for it.  I have experienced foggy brain, unable to recall places, names that are well-known to me, however just starting to feel the fog lifting in last few days.  I had a 10cm fibroid plus several smaller ones, and suffered with chronic constipation/diarrhoea, bladders issues and pain for 12+ months, all of these have been resolved since the surgery.  I like to keep busy so the 4 weeks recovery has been difficult to date, as I'm two steps forward, three steps back.  My doctor says 'time and rest when needed will heal your body', so I'm taking her advice.  Good book, good movie, cup of tea and gently, gently as we go!  Hope everyone has improved health soon.
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Avatar universal
Had a TVH on 11/15 kept ovaries. Within 5 days was back in hospital with excruciating quad pain.  Dr. removed sutures and replaced w mesh sutures as she felt they may have been pinching a nerve.  Also removed a surgical pelvic blood clot.  Quad pain is gone, but I'm left with numbness in quad, buttocks and rectum.  I worked out 5 days a week pre surgery for years and i cant imagine how long this numbness takes to go away.  So not sure what caused that quad pain, but I read it could be from compression of the femoral artery from being in the same position during surgery for many hours.  I am having bowel issues as mentioned by others that I did not expect.  Anybody experience this?
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