Abdominal Swelling After Hysterectomy

nkern
nkern Member Posts: 37
edited March 2014 in Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine) #1
I had a hysterectomy and lymphandectomy on May 16th, and was given permission on June 25th to start working out slowly including sit-ups. I am finding that my abdomen is swelling with the more sit-ups I do. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm not an exercise freak but just want to get back into my old clothes. Any ideas? My doctor is on vacation for two weeks so I thought maybe someone here would know.

Comments

  • momof5
    momof5 Member Posts: 16
    #2
    Hi nkern! I am Gina. Have seen you respond to several others. I have very similar story. Diag. 9/02, rad hyst 12/02 with > 25 lymph nodes removed. All clear, no radiation, no chemo. Just waiting for my 5 year mark! I also have repeated abdominal swelling. My gyno said that it is still healing from the surgery. He said I should expect this for at least a year. I notice it in cycles similar to a menstrual cycle. Which was going to be my next question for him. But I do experience swelling after exercising also. I am not a work out freak either, but love the release and the solitude. I also see swelling, muscle pulls and pains in my right leg. Do you notice that? I've read some, and everything says that the exercise is good. When it swells, is it also a little tender to the touch. Mine is.
  • nkern
    nkern Member Posts: 37
    #3
    momof5 said:

    Hi nkern! I am Gina. Have seen you respond to several others. I have very similar story. Diag. 9/02, rad hyst 12/02 with > 25 lymph nodes removed. All clear, no radiation, no chemo. Just waiting for my 5 year mark! I also have repeated abdominal swelling. My gyno said that it is still healing from the surgery. He said I should expect this for at least a year. I notice it in cycles similar to a menstrual cycle. Which was going to be my next question for him. But I do experience swelling after exercising also. I am not a work out freak either, but love the release and the solitude. I also see swelling, muscle pulls and pains in my right leg. Do you notice that? I've read some, and everything says that the exercise is good. When it swells, is it also a little tender to the touch. Mine is.

    Thanks, I was wondering if I had lost my mind or if I was just looking really hard for an excuse to not do situps!! After exercising especially after the past two weeks of situps my abdomin was very tender to touch and had quite a bit of swelling. It hurt to wear my dress pants to work. I too have noticed that when I get a cold or don't feel well my lymph nodes in my groin swell quite a bit and are very tender(both sides but right side is more intense). I asked my Dr. about it and he said it could occur just during the healing process or forever depending on the illness and how well my body fights it. Do you have this too? Again thanks for the reply!
  • MrsSantolla
    MrsSantolla Member Posts: 20
    #4
    nkern said:

    Thanks, I was wondering if I had lost my mind or if I was just looking really hard for an excuse to not do situps!! After exercising especially after the past two weeks of situps my abdomin was very tender to touch and had quite a bit of swelling. It hurt to wear my dress pants to work. I too have noticed that when I get a cold or don't feel well my lymph nodes in my groin swell quite a bit and are very tender(both sides but right side is more intense). I asked my Dr. about it and he said it could occur just during the healing process or forever depending on the illness and how well my body fights it. Do you have this too? Again thanks for the reply!

    Hi ladies, I had chemo and radiation for my treatment. However, I have also had swelling. I read up on lymphedema. This occurs after surgery and also radiation. This is when the lymphatic system has been damaged as a result. My doctor told me too, it could reoccur or not. It just helped put my mind at ease that is it not something else. Just sharing. Take care and God bless!
  • mollycato
    mollycato Member Posts: 2
    #5
    Hello. I also experienced a great deal of swelling. I was in excellent physical shape when I underwent my hysterectomy (Not to brag, but I actually had a six-pack!). It took 4-6 months before I could comfortably do sit-ups without swelling or pain. I might be a big baby, but I was so upset! I don't want to discourage you, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Take it slow. Your body went through a lot of trauma. It will bounce back.

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