How Long Does Bloating/Gas Pain Last After Laparotomy?

[hollandlop]

Hi.

I had a laparotomy 4 weeks ago to get a 6cm ovarian cyst removed from my right ovary due to endometriosis.

I had a bikini cut about 4.5 inches. Right now, my abdomen is still very swollen. I still feel a lot of gas and bloating, which gets worse around late afternoon to night time. (Why does it get worse at night?)

The doctor told me the wound would take around a month to heal, but the gas takes longer to go away. Is that true?

The area around my wound is still painful, but the most painful is the pressure from the bloating and gas.

And I feel like I have to go pee very often when I feel gas pain because it feels like the pressure from my abdomen is squeezing my bladder.

How long will this bloating pain last? I can't fit into any of my pants right now. I have to wear dresses all the time!

I'm also taking simethicone tablets now. But they don't seem to work very well to alleviate the gas pain.

What can I do???

[joe199]

Wow I am glad to hear you feel exactly like I do. I am 5 weeks after my laparotomy to have bilateral 7 cm cysts removed due to endemetriosis and I don't fit into any of my clothes either ! I have been told this is called muffin top or swelly belly but I am getting frustrated. I posted the same question as you and got different responses, I think the gas will go away soon enough but the swelling can last for several months I think and get worst when you over exert yourself, I have also gained 5 pounds but I don't know if it is because I am not as active as I usually am but I definetely don't fit into my pants either. Lets hope we get some answers, I have been walking everyday but although better than right after surgery, my body is no where near what is what before.

[jdelcjr]

How did everything go with you?? I'm going through very bad pain fro gas right now. Seems like there is a problem. I'm 4 weeks post op from a TURP.

[MarieMichele]

Mine lasted about 9 weeks but I think I'm a worst case scenario for that.  

It seems that low impact movements, like walking, are the best remedy.  Rubbing/massaging the abdomen (gently) in a circular motion seems to move the gas as well.  The gas is trapped in the abdominal cavity so I don't think medications with simethicone do much good (that stays within the digestive system, but the gas is not really there).  

Gas was my WORST side effect of the surgery.  I was more tolerent of the pain from the healing of the incision, etc., than I was of the gas pain.

Move about gently and it will bring some relief.