Recent surgery

OldmanBill,

You are still young. I was 59 when I had my neph 12 years ago. The swelling will take 6 months or more to get back to normal. If you feel it is a concern bring it up to your surgeon. So far with what you wrote, your recovery sounds normal to me.

Icemantoo

I haven't had surgery yet. But I hope your swelling gets better anything you feel is not right report to the dr though. Listen to your body. I wish you a speedy recovery.

I did not have robotic surgery; rather hand assisted...but I am two years out and still have significant pain.  Mine is not normal, but not unheard of.

I also have general abdominal swelling...my wife and tween daughter point out that the swelling was present before surgery, and I am just fat.

aamdsi said:

Sounds pretty normal

Had an open in March and it took awhile for all the swelling to decrease.  In fact the incision is still a bit noticablly raised.  As for still hurting, thatt's totally normal.  As someone already piinted out, think what they did to get to the kidney.

i can say that everyday you will start feeling a little better and the more you walk and move, the better you feel too.

Glad you are on this side of it all 8-).  It does get better, but any questions and concerns - ask your docctor. 

You're only 10 days out so there will be some swelling and soreness. I'm 62 and mine was an open parital in March like aamdsi's, and I too have some swelling above the incision. Kind of like a little sausage, lol. Only you know what you mean by soreness, but I wasn't in pain. Only sore. So if yours is really painful and it's concerning you then you should discuss it with your surgeon.

As for how long it will be sore, its very individual, anywhere from being gone tomorrow up to 6 months I would say...

/G

rainsandpours said:

At 10 days out, I was still

At 10 days out, I was still on pain meds every 4 hours, and could hardly move.  8 months later and I still get zings of pain now and then.  Bloating too.  My gp assured me that even a year later, some patients are still very uncomfortable and on meds.  Go slow, don't push yourself.  Your internal stitches have months to dissolve yet.

I consider myself lucky as I had very little pain. The swelling, however, still remains, 7 months later. You can see a substantial lump on the right side (if that is what you mean by swelling). When I went for my first follow up scan, I mentioned it to the doctor and he said it was not a hernia. He said to massage it while I am in the shower. It has actually helped. It isn't gone, but it is a little smaller....or the rest of me is getting fatter!