bloating after lapaotomy to remove ovarian cyst

[thankslalaland]

I just had a large ovarian cyst removed and after I had my staples removed my stomach got very bloated and hard. Should I be worried? Does anyone know what causes this and have any advice? Will it go away with reduced activity? I am having regular bowel movements and my belly has been normal since the surgery up until this started, but I did increase activity after the staples were removed.
Thanks in advance for any insights....

[thankslalaland]

Thanks for writing...things are much better now, I am about 4 weeks outs of surgery. Laparotomy takes a lot longer to heal  than laproscopic surgery. I am finally able to walk around without tensing my body to compensate for how the incision was feeling. I have endometriosis (the cyst that was removed was maybe as big as a grapefruit and had endometrial cells, very luckily not cancer cells) and am now trying to learn as much as I can about that...I cant imagine having to have this kind of surgery again and again and havent had any children but think I want to so I dont want to lose any of my reproductive organs. I've always been so healthy that its strange to suddenly have these problems come up, I guess thats what happens in your thirties...

Take care,
stephanie

[Sandymac]

I think also the "gas" that one has with the laparoscopic surgery is not the same as "gas" one gets in the intestinal tract..At least that's what I've learned here.  The gas is actually "pumped in" the abdominal cavity for the laparoscopic procedure in order to view the organs better. .. Walking is the usual "treatment' but after 2 weeks, I imagine you've walked ! And , of course the laparotomy is different and frankly, I've heard the healing is a bit longer than the laparoscope . I was feeling quite good in a few days with the laparoscope . Had the stitches out in 1 week and would have driven if I had been permitted.. Went to the store (no lifting) within a week.but boy, that groc. cart hit right at one of the stitches !! not fun with that..

Hope , as we speak, you're feeling better, but take it slow...Don't rush things.

Take care,
Sandy

[thankslalaland]

Thanks to both of you for replying, I've been able to find information about bloating with laproscopic surgery but not laparotomy. I'll give my doctor a call tomorrow...good luck with your recovery. I'm going on 2 week since surgery, the hard part now is being calm long enough to heal.

take care,
Stephanie

[vallieanne]

I've had a lot of bloating since my surgery last Monday. The first day or so it wasn't too bad, but I sort of popped out after I got home. I had a laparoscopy where they pump gas into the abdominal cavity, so I don't know if after a laparotomy it's the same. I've read from other ladies who have one there is also a lot of swelling. Let your doctor know, and then if she says it's o.k. try some gas-x tablets, they really help a lot. If your having bowel movements, they should be kept soft not to strain your muscles so take some stool softeners too. My swelling was pretty hard too, and it comes and goes but I'm really swolllen, the doctors said it would be at least 4 to 6 weeks before I'd be able to get in a pair of jeans, so I'm wearing my pj bottoms at home and will be using yoga pants or sweats when I have to go for my post-op checkup this week on Tuesday.
I'm glad your home and recovering.
Valerie

[Sandymac]

Perhaps a call to your Dr. would be in order. .. I , myself, didn't experience anything like this...but thn again I only had the Laparoscopy...

Hope ;you feel better,
Sandy