Still swollen tummy 10 months after radical surgery, anyone?

[Trickysite]

Hi Ladies, I have not really put on any weight. I had a 10 hour, keyhole, OC operation, removing half my stomach, some omentum, appendix, complete hysterectomy, and a few other procedures last October. The surgery was miraculous. I am now on 400mg Olaparib. I was always size 10 (only 5ft tall, c. 160cm I think) right up to my 70s and right up to the operation. Now, my tummy still looks five and a half months pregnant, shows no sign of decreasing, no waist at all, and I am deeply into "tiered" dresses. The top half of my abdomen feels quite firm to the touch. Also, my breast size went from 34B to 36C while I was on carbo taxol and has not reduced. Anybody else had similar issue? Maybe, you are thinking, what else would this lady be expecting after all that?!

[Trickysite]

Just to add, I feel fine, bowels fine, CT scan a month ago clear and Marsden not worried about CA125.

[paulamma1]

Hi, I’m 1 year post surgery (radical hysterectomy, took omentum, appendix, 2 lymph nodes, stripped peritoneum). I’ve always had a pudgy belly, now more so. It’s also bigger on the left side of the scar 🤷‍♀️ I’d prefer I didn’t have this belly but I’ll take it over the alternative! Still on Avastin every 3 weeks and 500mg Lynparza daily.

[Trickysite in reply to paulamma1]

Thanks. Nice to know I am not the only one!

[SEckett in reply to paulamma1]

Hi,How long are you on avastin for? I used to be a size 10-12 now I’m a size 16. Lost all my long dark hair. It’s now growing back different shades of grey.

[paulamma1 in reply to SEckett]

Hi, started Avastin with my 2nd round of chemo. Have had 15 rounds so far. I change insurance start of March ‘23 and don’t think they’ll cover it. 🤷‍♀️ Will see what my oncologist says. Weight about the same but gotta watch the carbs 😏

[Rosado22]

All I can say is thank goodness for tiered dresses! At least they are in abundance this year. I’m not sure if I’ve put weight on because of the carbo taxol or steroids or because I’ve eaten more.

[Trickysite in reply to Rosado22]

Yup, I'll be wearing those tiered dressed long after they go out of fashion!

[paulamma1 in reply to Rosado22]

I hear you! I’m an actress, just finished a 5 week run of Much Ado About Nothing and the costumers were great in working with me so there was nothing close fitting around my tummy. A lot of ‘flowing, billowing’ dresses 😉

[Trickysite in reply to paulamma1]

In the case of the size of my tummy, it's much ado about something rotund!

[paulamma1 in reply to Trickysite]

🤣🤣

[Rubymurray55]

Me too. My tummy becomes bigger as the day goes on. I now can only wear elasticated waists. I have always had a relatively flat tummy.

[SopSinger]

Unfortunately removal of the omentum does cause the tummy to sag a bit. If you've gained a lot of weight after being slim, it might be worth asking your GP for some dietary advice. My GP surgery has (or had) a dietician on staff and she was brilliant.

[Trickysite in reply to SopSinger]

Yes, I was rather suspicious that it might be the loss of half of my omentum. Not to mention half the stomach, the appendix, all the repro organs and goodness knows what else. It is one of the great mysteries of the world that losing so much ends up giving you so much when it comes to the girth of your tum! Mine was keyhole, so I cannot blame it on having muscles sliced!

[Rosebine2]

I didnt know that SopSinger, I thought mine was because the muscles in the tum were cut in the op. My tum is huge, its as big as it was when I had two massive tumours and ascites.Ive been trying to find a dress that looks reasonable and hides the bump, they all look like victorian nighties though with ruffles and long sleeves, not what you need in the heat

[Trickysite in reply to Rosebine2]

Sorry you've got that tummy, but it does help knowing you are not the only one!

[Marie101]

I have found an amazing fashion site who sell the perfect clothing that help cover up the bumps and swollen tummies but I'm not sure if I can give their name on the forum???

[Trickysite]

Yes, please, Marie101. If we can mention M&S, I am sure you can let us know your fashion site discovery. I have in the past recommended the names of wig companies, etc. Thanks in advance.

[meaty]

hi I am 6mths post surgery. I was cut from under ribs right down to pubic bone in my surgery. I to am still swollen. I still can't wear a bra as the scar still sore under my ribs.i also had my gallbladder out . I can still only wear floaty dresses . .and hoping it does eventually go down . although I have gained wieght since surgery which doesn't help. and bloating is back. Good luck hope it gets better .I am hoping mine goes down for the colder weather. as at the minute I still can't wear anything against my scar . no trousers etc .. bestvwishes

[Trickysite in reply to meaty]

Sorry your scar is still sore. I guess time will heal that. I would ask your doctor to check there is no infection. I got an infected scar which was cured with some cream. The Flotilla Sisterhood in terms of dressing!