Belly post surgery

janni

Hi. Been lurking here for a while. Just had a hysterectomy & find that my belly is no longer flat. I've always been large busted, rather square shouldered, narrow at the hips & a flat tummy. My dilemma is this: I'm not sure what to do with this sudden kind of protruding belly. I'm usually a 8/10 and have moved up to a snug 10. Any tips?

8 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from

carter

Veteran

How long has it been since surgery? I haven't had a hysterectomy, but I have had other surgeries. It can take the body 6-12 months for the swelling to go down and reabsorb the fluids. If you're within that time period, you might find a temporary silhouette that suits you at the moment (maybe long over lean). Perhaps you can put together a capsule from things you own plus a few new pieces that will get you by until your body adjusts.

8 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

I echo what Carter said. How long has it been? I had a hysterectomy four years ago. My belly was poufy for quite a while afterward, but now it's flatter than it was pre-hysterectomy. (I had an open laparotomy so it took quite a while for the scar and swelling to subside). Yours should go down eventually -- after all, there's less in your abdomen than there was before!

8 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Same question. I had a hyterectomy almost 5 years ago now and I felt I was pretty much back to normal at the end of the 6 week recovery period. If it is recent, do give yourself some time.

8 years ago

Traci

Veteran

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy (kept my ovaries) a little over 3 months ago. I'm totally bummed out that my already round tum is still bigger than pre surgery. I've always been one to swell with injury, so it's not much surprise that my swelling is taking a long time to subside. Then to make matters worse, my already almost non-existent ab muscles are really atrophying from 2 months of not being used. Sorry for the long winded whine...

On to important things...I have a post surgery uniform that I'm in love with. I've been wearing tube skirts, loose tanks and a jacket since I got home from the hospital. It looks work appropriate but feels like pajamas.

The skirt I have is on deep clearance now. I wear a variation on this probably 4 days a week. Other days I wear a loose dress and very rarely right now a pair of jeggings.

I'm just starting to feel like myself energy wise, and I'm pretty bummed about the appearance of my tum. I thought losing a mass the size I had would lead to less belly, not more.

Boy, I'm a Debbie Downer, huh? Hang in there!

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8 years ago

deb

Veteran

I have also had a total abdominal hysterectomy . They took it all out, ovaries and all because they were diseased. I was 51 when this happened but had gone through menopause when I was in my late 30's. But, I had already had four previous abdominal surgeries and was always able to get my muscles back into shape with vigorous exercise. I think that my age played a role in the pouch I developed after my hysterectomy and the loss of the little estrogen my ovaries released with menopause. I highly recommend Christine Northrup, M.D.'s book The Wisdom of Menopause as it addresses the many issues related to hysterectomies and all things menopausal.

8 years ago

janni

Active Member

Thank you all so much! The skirt idea is a great one & I thank you for examples. I'm just at 6 weeks post op & back to work. I usually bounce back quickly (this is my third abdominal surgery) so was caught by surprise. I think I'm just going to have to wait it out a little longer & get some stretchy skirts

8 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

janni, six weeks is still early days. I have always had a bit of a pudgy tummy so maybe I just didn't notice lol. I also had

a total abdominal hysterectomy (kept one ovary.. long story). Once you are comfortable to do so, a nice form fitting and gently firming underpant can help with creating a nice smooth look until things get back to normal.

Traci's ideas are fab and very stylish. I wore mostly loose, draped clothing and didn't put myself under any pressure x

8 years ago

Lucy

Veteran

Six weeks is still well in the healing stages, so I wouldn't worry at all. I had heaps of abdominal surgery (at least once a year, LOL) and a c'section as well, and I had always bounced back well and quickly. But I did find the hysterectomy far more difficult, perhaps because I had a toddler and also some minor complications that required two further surgeries. I guess what I am saying is that it is a BIG operation, and I wouldn't pressure yourself at all, rest up when you can, and it will all come good in time.

8 years ago

janni

Active Member

Thank you for sharing your own stories. Nice to know that others have gone through this same thing. I swordfish the encouragement!

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Janni, hope your road to recovery is swift.

8 years ago

Anonymous

Another voice for the proposition that this seems normal after six weeks - i was definitely still in loose clothing at that point. Remember, this time your body is not only recovering from surgery, but adapting to hormonal changes. It just takes awhile.
Hope your recovery continues smoothly!

8 years ago

Anonymous

Traci's idea is really good. The long top over the snug bottoms is a good balance and highlights what you're comfortable with. The jacket will add structure and interest and make you look really dressed.

But six weeks! I guess you recovered so rapidly from your previous operations that your standards are really high? I would try to accept your changed figure for now but I would not assume it's permanent. And even if it is, so what? It's not what your whole appearance is about. Try to say nice things to yourself, you already put in a great performance coming through surgery and now you're recovering.

8 years ago

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