Swollen Belly after Surgery

[vegasgirl44 0]

Ok, I'm about 5 days postop and my belly looks like it's about 8 months pregnant.... still. I drink Water and walk every day. I've tooted appropriately and BMd more than I thought necessary. I'm tired of this. Has this happened to anyone else and when did it go away? I don't see my surgeon till Wednesday. Any thoughts? Advice?:biggrin:

[cakegal 0]

I was banded August 12th, and I too have a pregnant stomach. It's discouraging because the scale is moving but my pants still feel tight. It's like I'm involuntarily sticking my stomach out as far as I can. I hope someone can let us know when to expect the "baby" to be born.

[Paula Maglica 0]

:biggrin: Relax to both of you, I was banded on the 29th of July, I'm now going on the 3 week since being banded. It's just now going down (the swelling)but I still have a lump where they put the port in. Remember, you had MAJOR surgery and your body is still recovering. Just think about how worth it it's going to be in the long run! Keep me posted, the best is yet to come!!!

[ShrinkyDink 0]

I'm right with you, banded on the 12th and still have my puffed up whoopee cushion belly. scale has only moved one pound too, I'm about to punch the wall.

[Paula Maglica 0]

I hear ya!! My stomach is able to hold more and I'm feeling it, I'm so ready for my first fill, I don't want to eat, but when your stomach is growlin, you tend to revert back to your old ways! I'm trying so hard to be good, but it's so hard!!

[HildaM 0]

It's normal to have a swollen belly. I had my surgery June 13. I was swollen for almost a month. I only lost 5 pounds when I was on liquids, but gained all of it back when I started solids. I was so upset I thought I would never loose any weight at all. I had my fist fill 20 days ago, I've lost a total of 13 pounds. My doctor told me that was really good, since I'm only expected to loose about 10 pounds per month. I'm feeling pretty good now that I know I can loose weight.

Don't forget that your band it's empty right now and you might not feel restriction yet, that's normal. After your first fill that's when you're suppose to start feeling restriction and start to actually loose weight.

[vegasgirl44 0]

I was banded August 12th, and I too have a pregnant stomach. It's discouraging because the scale is moving but my pants still feel tight. It's like I'm involuntarily sticking my stomach out as far as I can. I hope someone can let us know when to expect the "baby" to be born.

cakegal, I guess you can be glad your scale is moving. I gained 6 lbs WITH the surgery and have finally just about lost it as of this morning. It's so frustrating. And I DO feel like I have a baby in there. Today will be the first day I wear my regular clothes to take my daughter to a doc appt and I'm afraid of how they will fit. It's not like I can suck it in. Grrr!!

[vegasgirl44 0]

I'm right with you, banded on the 12th and still have my puffed up whoopee cushion belly. scale has only moved one pound too, I'm about to punch the wall.

Lauralee, I know how you feel....I'm just trying to get the 6 lbs LOST that I GAINED the day of surgery! I am frustrated too, and can't imagine having to wait the 3 weeks that Mommymj had to wait for the swelling to go down or the MONTH for Hilda. Wow! I dread going back to work on Thursday. The people I told will wonder what happened and the people I DID NOT tell will just think I'm PREGNANT! It's funny because I just haven't read many posts talking about this particular problem, so I feel so isolated. I'm glad (but sorry for you guys, too) that there are other people who feel like I do. Thanks everybody!

[littlebit181818 0]

I was banded on July 22nd, have lost 11 pounds, and still can't go down a size in pants. I have only two pair that fit me so I do laundry every other day. I am just too swollen still.

I think that you have to be fairly along into regular foods before you can really understand what the band will do for you. I just started normal foods and the going is slow. I just keep trying different things and most are easy to eat. Of all things, applesauce bothers me. Go figure.

[pambo 0]

I was banded Aug 6 and have lost 27 lbs since my surgery...still have a puffy tummy but already can tell that I'm gonna like this. I haven't been nauseated or thrown up at all! I did return to work the Monday after my surgery on Wed. and got in lots of walking! Good luck and I hope all is resolved soon.

[charlie4171 0]

Me, too!! I put on a pair of shorts and it was 4-6 inches apart from button to button hole-I'm soooo swollen.

I have cancelled everything and everywhere that I'm supposed to go-NONE of my pants will fit and my shirts are sticking to my belly.

It's gone down a little bit each day. The first couple of days it was so tight, it didn't move at all. Yesterday, I could push on it and it would go in some. Today I can suck it in a little.

I have to go to class tomorrow night so I'm hoping between today and tomorrow to get down to 5 months pregnant!!!

Hang in there!!

[yjgirl78 0]

I guess it depends on your Dr. because I was banded Aug 14 and have lost 17 pounds. I am a little swollen but able to wear my jeans for my first day back to work today.

Keep up the good work guys. I am proud of all of you.

YJGirl78

[vegasgirl44 0]

I'm just so amazed at all the people who've lost so much weight since the surgery!!! I've still got about 1 lb to take off to get back to the morning of my surgery. But I lost 21 lbs postop.

I know I'm losing, but I'm just so mad that I put on that much weight having surgery. Grrrr!!

Yjgirl...did you lose any before surgery? I just find it astounding that you've lost that much weight in less than a week. Wow!

[HeatherO 7]

It is normal. I remember my husband looking at me and saying, we need our money back because it is going the wrong direction :0).

Of course he was only joking. The swelling is normal and dissapears before too long.

[yjgirl78 0]

I lost 9 pounds prior to surgery during the week of fasting. I am still swollen though. People keep asking me if I am losing any weight yet. I am like YES can't you tell? haha I am sure a lot of my weight loss is Water weight though and I will probably gain it back when I start eating again. I am starving already and I am not even a week post op yet. I expected the Protein shakes and Soups to keep me full longer then a few days post-op. I didn't expect not eating post-op would be as hard as pre-op but it looks like it will be... I am so sick of Protein Shakes they make me gag just about each time I drink one now.

Good Luck to you all. I am thinking about you and cheering for you. I think we all need all the help we can get at this point.