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The Kitchen Table

Fibroids and Hysterectomy Question

17 years ago

Hi ladies. This question is for those of you who had large uterine fibroids and the associated abdominal swelling/paunch & bloating, and then had a hysterectomy (partial or complete). Did your gut (caused by the fibroids) go away after surgery? If so, how much - some? All? None? If so, how long after surgery did it take before you felt that you were back to a pre-fibroid stage?

Many thanks!

Suziequ

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Comments (6)

hayjud_mn
17 years ago
It was too long ago for me to remember.

I'm sure your age will determine some of this. If you are 45 or over, you may be starting that older belly from loosing muscle tone. I know that isn't what you would like to hear, but if age is a factor, then at least you have an excuse. Boohoo....
suzieque
Original Author
17 years ago
I have 4 fibroids. 2 are grapefruit sized and 2 are navel orange size. The belly is definitely from the fibroids. I am 5'5" and weigh 120 pounds. I know muscle is lost with age and I'm Ok with that and expect a little tummy, but this is not that.
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rthummer
17 years ago
I had to have a complete hystrectomy. It was an emergency as I started hemmoraging, think I remember they said one had ruptured and started bleeding...Been awhile back, so I can't remember too well. Dr. said I had tumors on ovaries as well. I had one that dr. said was the size of a 5 month old fetus. Mine has never gone down completely, and I still have pain on sides sometime. Don't know why though. I hope everything turns out good with you, though. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
suzieque
Original Author
17 years ago
Ooh - I'm glad that yours was taken care of, rthummer. Sounds very scary! I'm fortunate in that my biggest complaint about the fibroids is my huge tummy. I have icky discomfort when I lay on my side as the biggest fibroid pulls. Some times the fibroids ache. But my doctor isn't at the point where she says definite hyst. yet. She is hoping that the fibroids will shrink (I am 2 years through menopause). I want them gone! But from what I'm reading on other sites, it seems that a lot of women get a swollen belly after surgery and sometimes it lasts for a year or more. You say yours never went down completely. I'd be ok with not completely, but this is is so darned uncomfortable and discouraging. My dr. said my abdomen would measure at about a 5 month pregnancy size.
lunchlady1948
17 years ago
Go to Hystersisters.com~~~lots of good info there. Helped me alot when I had mine
suzieque
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks, lunchlady. I just found that site tonight and frankly, it's not sounding good. That's where I saw so many people writing in complaining about their "swelly belly"!

Did you have fibroids, then the hyst., and a belly (before and/or after?).

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