post op clothing

[Gemleanne92]

Hello

I’m one week post endo excision surgery and even my biggest clothes don’t fit me like hoodies and joggers.

I’m living in night dresses or oversized pjs.

This is my first endo surgery so I’m just wondering how long it might take for bloating to go down and to be able to wear normal clothes again?

[Msunited Moderator Moderator]

Hi Gemleanne92,

Sorry that you dont feel as confident in your clothes post op. I also experienced a change in how I viewed myself afterwards.

I do want to assure you that the bloating will lessen with time, however this may differ due to a multitude of factors.

The nhs states up to 5 days a diagnosis, or up to 6 to 8 weeks to fully recover from surgery.

nhs.uk/conditions/laparosco....

I'd like to share with you some of the stories shared by women who are going through similar struggles from the endometriosis community

endometriosis-uk.org/person...

I hope you are able to find comfort in knowing you are understood.

Thank you for your vulnerability and please, take good care of yourself and all the best on your recovery.

[Gemleanne92 in reply to Msunited]

Thanks so much!

[SunflowerDandelion]

Hiya! I can only speak from my own experience (1 month, almost 2 weeks post op. It took about a week or so for the bloating to really calm down, and about 20 days to be able to bear wearing leggings again. I've spent a lot of time in dresses that flare out from the waist and still go back to them if I'm feeling too much pressure around my tummy. In the last couple of days, it's started to get back to normal but it does flare up at times and particularly in the evening.

If you're worried, I would check in with your health provider. But also make sure you're getting lots of fibre and water in to help to get rid of the gases.

Hope that's helpful!

[Gemleanne92 in reply to SunflowerDandelion]

Thanks so much. That’s reassuring to know

[Moomin45]

Hey! I’m a little late to this thread but I am now 8 weeks post op so this might give an idea of what’s to come. The worst of my bloating lasted for the first three weeks (honestly felt like I could have passed for 3/4 months pregnant) and I was pretty much wearing pyjamas or tracksuit bottoms. The bloating significantly reduced after that but still would worsen throughout the day so loose clothing was still a must for the next few weeks (like the previous person said, dresses that flare before the waist were good for needing to dress “up” at all). Now two months later, I wake with a flattened stomach and it can sometimes get worse in the day but I can wear most of my clothes again, although stretchy and loose is definitely more comfortable. I did buy a couple of things a size up for comfort and emotional relief!

Recommend lots of peppermint tea, really helps with the gas release and any IBS like type symptoms you might have.

Best of luck with your recovery and hope you heal fast!