bloating after laparotomy

[shazzybow]

i am 2 weeks post op after removal of dermoid cyst via a laparotomy. lots of ladies have mentioned bloating prior to the op, fortunately i did not have this,i am expecting to have swelling after the op, afterall it is a major surgical procedure. Can anyone tell me how long it is likely to take for the swelling to go down?thanks

[Gatsby]

Try drinking some hot tea, that really seems to help with the bloating, but 4-6 weeks is about right.
~Tascha

[shazzybow]

thanks ladies for your reassurance. i managed to fit into a pair of trousers this morning which were tight before surgery, but your right its much worse at night. i am definitely going to have to watch my diet,my lovely husband is bending over backwards to take care of me and im getting far too many calories!each day is definitely getting easier i am going to try and do more walking this week. its fantastic to get the support from ladies who have been through this.take care.

[motherof2cuteones]

Amen to the bloating much worse in the evening.  I think when you stand a lot - your muscles (which are way lax due to the surgery) start to push out and your stomach looks a lot bigger.  Waking up in the morning definitely is the BEST time of the day - your rested and thin!

I'm headed into my 4th week and find that some days bloating is worse than others.  And I try to watch what I eat - b/c i'm not doing as much as i would normally be doing - physically.  Keep that in mind - diet helps with bloating as well.

But, yes, at two weeks out - you should still be bloated and swollen.  My dr told me it would be at least 6 weeks b/f it really all goes away.

Take it one day at a time.

[scoutshadow]

It took about four weeks for my bloating to go down and I'm still having itching around the scar area, though this is getting better.  As with all bloating it gets noticeably worse in the evening.  I'm starting to feel so much better and after a day's shopping haven't felt this good in ages!  It takes time and tons of patience but the swelling should go down soon.