Hi it's now been 7 months since my TAH.

[Ladyone1]

This main seem bit silly to ask but am feeling bit down because if it. Since my op to remove 2 borderline tumours I have gained half a stone in the last few months, I know the menopause can do this, but my tummy looks like I am about six months pregnant, it's still sticks out all around the belly button area, is this normal or should it have gone down by now. I keep having silly thoughts that the tumours are coming back, I know that's silly but mind goes into overdrive sometimes.

[Hidden]

I don't think this is a silly question, you do need to get this checked out, after my operation and chemo I had (and still have) an incisional hernia, I thought it was back, because of the lump and big tummy I had, I was relieved to find out it was a hernia,

I have since had a recurrence (twice) it will do no harm to get it checked hopefully you will have peace of mind. Best wishes love x G x

[Whippit]

Dear Ladyone

I don't think you're silly in the least. There are many aspects to having a hysterectomy that are not fully discussed with a patient. I think the first few months after diagnosis and surgery are a matter of gritting teeth and survival. It can be months on that women feel bad about themselves or worried about things.

There's a forum called HysterSisters that can be quite a help if you're feeling down. As for having a swollen abdomen I think if I were in your shoes I'd ask for an appointment with your CNS or clinician just to check it out if you don't have a regular appointment coming up.

I put on weight after surgery and hated it. Perhaps when the weather brightens it will give us all the impetus to take a look at our diet and exercise a little more. So difficult with this incessant rain and dark days.

I'm sure you'll get loads of other posts and reassuring comments from members here that you're not alone with your feelings.

Love Annie xx

[Ladyone1]

Thanks Annie x

[wendydee]

Dear Ladyone, it will take quite a while to get back into some sort of normality after such a big op. It's not silly to worry. We all do, I am sure. I would echo the advice of the other responders, and get it checked out, even if it's only to put your mind at rest. I don't want to depress you, but I went into hospital a stone and a bit lighter than I am now, it's been eleven years of trying to get rid of the hysterectomy weight gain and I am still about 10 lbs off my goal. However, I'm much healthier now and have an appreciation of eating well and healthily and taking exercise for enjoyment and health, so we can cope sometimes with not being quite the shape we would wish

[Hidden]

I swear we need a separate post hysterectomy weight issues group. It is far from being a silly worry, I think we all vacillate between feeling fat and fearful if we put on any weight, and are a little justifiably paranoid about possible links between this, or other things like your belly button, and recurrence. So don't feel silly, absolutely you must get it checked, but be prepared that it may just be imagination too. If in doubt, check it out!

Love

Sue xxx

[Ladyone1]

Thanks for all advice, going for blood tests next week at the doctors and then see her with results, doing my ca125 and few other blood tests just to check everything ok, I saw a new doctor at our surgery and she was lovely, she reassured me and told me I had a lot to cope with and that I am not alone in feeling like this, sure blood tests will be fine and going to be positive and going lose this tummy. Thanks everybody for all your advice Sue xx

[amaryr]

I really feel for you with the worry and the weight gain. It's certainly not silly. We all feel, I think, so out of control when these major things happen to us, and then to gain weight so we don't even feel as though we look like the person we once recognised, is horrible! I have gained nearly a stone in weight, and feel the same as you, and also sort of ashamed as though I should be more ' in control'. However, my various medics have said not to worry at this stage, and not to diet. To wait until the chemo is finished and then have a proper plan in place to get fit again. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm not suggesting this will be suitable for you - we are all so different, but I'm sure there will be a way you will deal with this. Whatever you end up doing, I do wish you the very best of luck. A XXX