New member question: Puffy Stomach after surgery??

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munl773
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2019 12:01 am

New member question: Puffy Stomach after surgery??

Postby munl773 » Fri Dec 20, 2019 12:06 am

Hello, I have a question related to puffiness, bloating, and hardness of the abdomen after surgery.


I read the comments below, but I realized that the puffiness and bloating went away relatively quickly for most of you guys. I received 3 surgeries on my colon on 05/30/2019, and the bloating and puffiness is still there to this day, 12/20/2019.

It's been almost 7 months, and I'm not sure if this is normal. I am 5'3 and my previous weight was around 113 lbs. My stomach was pretty flat before surgery, and now I almost look like I gained 10 lbs because of this bloating/puffiness/hardness and I'm not sure if this is normal or not :(

One thing that's weird is that the lower abdomen (pretty much my pelvic area) is really hard to touch. It feels like there is a lot of pressure around that area. Is that also normal? Thanks everyone :(

Gravelyguy
Posts: 382
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2018 6:03 pm

Re: New member question: Puffy Stomach after surgery??

Postby Gravelyguy » Fri Dec 20, 2019 6:50 am

Hi,

I had open surgery and can say for my case it took a very long time for my abdominal muscles to settle down. I am over 2 years out and for the past 6 months have been really working on core strength. My abs are much better but I still have a spot that is a little swollen. I think it is just how the muscles grew back together.

So from my perspective, give it some more time.

Dave
Last edited by Gravelyguy on Fri Dec 20, 2019 9:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
6/17 dx mRC t3n1m1 very low rectal tumor 2 liver Mets 1.3 cm and .9 cm

6/17 begin 4 rounds Folfox w/Vectibix
9/17 short course radiation
10/17 rectal and liver resection LAR with coloanal anastomosis (no rectum left)
11/17-3/18 8 rounds Folfox
6/18 still NED!! Takedown
8/28/18 still NED! CEA .8 new low for me
10/18/18 colonoscopy clear
12/12/18 CEA .9 still NED!
6/11/19 CEA 1.0
12/19/19 CEA 1.0 still NED!
6/17/20 CEA 1.1 still NED!
12/15/20 CEA 1.1still NED!
12/16/21 CEA 1.2 still NED!

Deb m
Posts: 558
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:08 am

Re: New member question: Puffy Stomach after surgery??

Postby Deb m » Fri Dec 20, 2019 9:50 am

Just thinking out load, could it be a hernia?

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Jacques
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Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2014 10:38 am
Location: Occitanie

Re: New member question: Puffy Stomach after surgery??

Postby Jacques » Fri Dec 20, 2019 2:48 pm

munl773 wrote:... I received 3 surgeries on my colon on 05/30/2019...

To respond to your question I think it would help to know a little more about your surgeries.

What were your 3 surgeries? Were they all done at the same time? what type of surgery was it -- open surgery, or laparoscopic surgery?

If it was open surgery, how many incisions were involved, and how long were they?

If it was open surgery that lasted a number of hours, you might have a problem with adhesions caused by long exposure of the bowel to the open air. You might also have an incisional hernia along the longest incision.

munl773
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2019 12:01 am

Re: New member question: Puffy Stomach after surgery??

Postby munl773 » Fri Dec 20, 2019 3:50 pm

Yes, they were done at the same time, and it was both open surgery and laparoscopic.

I have one long incision (from a little below my chest to my belly button) and two small incisions from the laparoscopy.


I had 2 surgeries on the ascending colon and one near the transverse colon. This surgery lasted about 3 hours long.

I don't think it's a hernia because my overall lower abdomen and stomach is puffy and hard, especially after I eat a meal. Also, I don't feel pain or discomfort, rather just heaviness and fullness. I don't eat a lot, but it still causes me to feel bloated and big. I'm not sure if I am really "bloated" though. The best way to describe my abdomen area is that it looks like water retention. But i'm not sure if that is correct.

Thanks everyone for responding so quickly :)

galee
Posts: 23
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2019 2:44 pm
Facebook Username: galeehardin@cox.net

Re: New member question: Puffy Stomach after surgery??

Postby galee » Fri Dec 20, 2019 7:23 pm

I had this very question in my mind but have not posted. I am twelve weeks post resection. I find my abdomen bloated, distended every few days. I am very tender on my left side between my drain scar and below navel. I have been contemplating messaging my surgeon as well but felt maybe I am overly analytical yet still healing.

Following your feedback,
Lee
47 year old, Female
8/15/2019 Colonoscopy due to blood in bowels
8/20/2019 Pathology 3cm Adenocarcinoma
Recto-Sigmoid junction, 12 cm from anal verge
G2
MSS
BRAF, KRAS, NRAS Not Detected
CEA 1.8
9/23/2019 sigmoid & rectum colectomy plus left salpingo-oophorectomy, small intestine resection & appendectomy
9/30/2019 Pathology: T2N0M0, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (2.8cm), margins uninvolved


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