post recovery after Polycystic Liver surgery

Three weeks ago I had Laparscopic Surgery for my Polycystic Kidneys.  I am 48 years old, fit women.  I had very large cysts all over my kidneys.  I had surgery two years ago and had relief for about two years.  All the cysts grew back.  This time I had laparscopic surgery.    Before my surgery my stomach looked like I was about 5 months pregnant.  After three weeks my stomach looks even more swollen than before surgery.  I am still in pain and tired. I also hoped my girth would go down. I am very discouraged.  How long will I feel better again and have less girth?  Is this me for the rest of my life?

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

do you have cysts in the liver, kidney or both?

[Quaiattini]

Dr. Schiano  I have cysts in both my liver and kidneys.  So far my kidneys have cysts but are functioning properly.  I am in a small percentage where my liver cysts have become gigantic.  My liver size with my cysts are compromising my other organs. and making it very uncomfortable for me.  I was hoping after my larascopic liver surgery I would feel relief.  It has been three weeks and I still have pain and swelling in my abdomen.  I know they removed as many cyst as they could.  Will my girth and swelling eventually go down?  How long can it take for swelling to go down?

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

these types of surgeries rarely are long term solutions.  the best surgical option would be to remove a part of the liver that contained a predominant portion of the cysts.  there are medical trials using octreotide and rapamycin to decrease the size of cysts (please look this up on-line).  unfortunately if the burden of the cysts is giving you symptoms such as this, liver transplantation may need to be considered.  this is something to be used when all other potential solutions fail, but you shouldn't wait too long because persons can become very sick with inanition and malnutrition, aside from the horrible compromise in quality of life.