Post-Laparotomy WEIRD BELLY SWELLING?!? PLEASE ADVISE!!

[lilpersianangel]

Hello to anyone who has had a laparotomy....
PLEASE tell me how long it takes (?) to have this weird jelly-ish, liquidy edema swelling above my incision fade away?  I had an exploratory laparotomy 5 days ago and I am normally have a fairly flat tummy and I am a very petite, small frame. However, I now (since surgery to remove large ovarian cyst and ovary) have this bizarre jelly-like swelling directly above / hanging over my incision. The incision is flat. The swelling above it looks like a nasty flab roll that literally hangs and folds. OMG It's so disgusting!!!  
   While I don't expect to look perfect less than a week out, I DO expect to not have this freaky giant roll of jelly water swelling over my incision that makes me look DEFORMED!!!  
   PLEASE HELP ME!!! PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO OR WHEN THIS THING WILL START SHRINKING???
   Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!  God Bless!!!!!!

[Lindita8]

It takes some time.  I was able to fit back into my clothes 4 - 5 weeks after laparatomy.  Some clothes were of course more comfortable than others.  I am 7 weeks post surgery.  I have gotten back into all of my exercising but do it at my pace.  I am actually going to my 2nd yoga class since surgery!  When I try on my jeans they fit but some are a little bit uncomfortable around the scar area.  We are lucky it is summertime and we can wear whatever comfortable clothes we want.  Let time heal.

[mxjane]

Any updates on your swelling?  I'm two weeks post laparotomy and wondering how long I should expect not to be able to fit into my clothes.

[nava13]

I had mine on 6/2nd and the swelling was awful too but now after 4 weeks I'm having my normal period it doesn't hurt like it used to I was amazed as how did I ever think that was normal I still can't wear jeans or anything tight. I have my follow up appt Monday and I really wanted to go to this themed park do you guys know if after 4 weeks of surgery you can ride roller coasters??? and what about having sex?? I didn't ask this things to my doctor and I was waiting for my follow up but my husband is really desperate of all the waiting and so do I.... can anyone help me???

[Lindita8]

I too had laproscopy and a laparatomy on 6/18th and had the same swelling above the incision.  It went down a few days later.  I am still a little swollen and cannot get into my jean shorts yet.  Day by day though it is going down and I am figuring out things to wear!  Hope you are getting stronger each day!

[lilpersianangel]

Thank you for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it a lot. I hope that all of us get better asap! I'm reading up on Endometriosis, and just read that eating Wheat aggravates it...not sure if that is accurate or not, but I will post what I learn over the next week from all my reading for everyone's benefit or consideration.
  Take Care!

[fungirl1011]

I had surgery on June 8th via laparotomy and I am still swollen.  My doctor told me that it can take up to 8 weeks for the swelling to go down.  I am like you, my swelling isn't where my incision is (I had a vertical incision) but above it.  Keep in mind that when they do surgery they fill you up with air.  It helps them get a better look at what they are doing.  As aggravating and annoying it is, it is normal.  It WILL go away in time.  Give your body plenty of rest and time to heal.  

[Heffmeister]

It will take a least 6 weeks maybe more for your muscles to start working again. Do your exercises from a physiotherapist to start working them very gently. Mine looked alot better 6 weeks post lap (vertical incision) but I had a hysterectomy last week (horizonital incison) and am back to square one with the hanging over wobbly bit! *sigh*.

Give your body a chance though as it's been though a lot! If you still think things aren't looking normal in a week or so, get your doctor to have a look?