open partial nephrectomy bloat?

Mk,

Sorry about the bloating , but it will be around for a while. The swelling and bloating may take 6 months to a year to return to normal. Do raise any concern to your doctors though as sometimes other issues do arise as well.

Icemantoo

Vivaldi said:

9 months today

I had an open partial nephrectomy nine months ago.  At twenty days I remember feeling horribly bloated and when walking it felt like I was carrying a twenty pound baby in there.  I still have some bloat issues at this stage, but only on days when I am doing a lot of walking or on my feet a lot.  I still have a bulge on that side, but it varies in size.  The numbness in the abdomen resolved a couple of months ago, and the numbness down the leg has improved but is not totally gone yet.  I experienced some nerve pain and sensitivity at about the three to four month mark as the nerves were coming awake.  I recently had an ultrasound along the incision site and was surprised that the pressure of the ultrasound wand cause some soreness in that area, so I would say the healing is not yet complete.  It gets better, and there is always that lovely, attractive scar to make up interesting stories about.

First... Absolutely everyone thinks that they can get back to themselves in an unreasonable time. Everybody is then surprised at the fatigue aspect. They never expect the long duration tiredness. Daily naps become commonplace. Often feeling good, then just having to crash for an hour or so. This will last to some degree for a year. This is because you will never be the same again. Especially after full nephrectomy. The neurology and physiology has to adapt. Old normal was the old you. New normal takes time and repetion. But it generally becomes the new normal. As we have changed  getting older,it is the same. It just doesn't happen in one afternoon. Nephrectomy is major surgery on an important organ.

The bulge is not uncommon. It has been discussed frequently. It can be simply swelling, and or muscle weakness from being damaged. There can be a herniation from weak suturing or from a tear from overdoing it too soon. Some bulges remain. Most improve. My incision is about 8-9 inches long from just below my sternum, diagonally down toward my left hip. I was very careful in my transfers  and activity after surgery. It improved and as my pain improved I got more active. I returned to running and playing golf in about a month. I regularly do my situps and have no weakness in those muscles. I guess the surgeon lined things up well upon clousure.

Bloating could be from weakness as the muscles aren't providing support to you innards. It can also be like a referred sensation from the procedure and bloated is how it feels to you. Be patient. Recovery takes longer than everyone thinks.

I had a partial right nephrectomy in November. I had robotic surgery but my belly is still so bloated after 4 months , it's better but I still nap on command .. no a choice as I will fall asleep where ever I am abf I am not on any meds my incisions and itchy red and raised. I have 5 plus my drain site for my JP drain it's all healed but I'm having discomfort now.    Ugh. Maybe just s bad week.  But I am struggling and I have always been an active person. 

Hi. I had my kidney removed on Nov 7th and still swell pretty badly. I find if I have walked too much or bent over too many times to reach for things it is way worse. I too have difficulty eating as I get full fast and most days feel sick to my stomach. I hope you are able to get more sleep and that your swelling goes down.