Hi:

I had a hysterectomy September of 2003.

At the time I went into the hospital a healthy, slim female. Here it is almost a year later and I have gained 17 pounds and am no longer able to wear any of my clothes. I have what I refer to as a "pouch". I have no control over it, cannot suck it in or anything.

I am taking a desperate measure and going in for surgery for a tummy tuck on August 8 to the tune of $5,500.00. I could find no other solution to the weight gain and the continued weight gain.

Anyone out there have any other ideas or am I the only one?

I heard that the tummy tuck is not safe. I'm tired of my big stomach also. My doctor said I might not ever get rid of it. Hopefully they will come out with something real soon for women who have an hysterectomy and have an unwanted pouch.

Ycmoore

I had my partial hysterectomy in 1998 and my pooch feels like it is bruised under the skin. I have found that doing pilates helps, because it pulls in the core muscles. That is the only thing I felt works. But recently I quit smoking in october and gained the average 14 pounds and now am trying to lose it. The skin feels bruised and overly sensitive, like there is a water balloon inside. I am going to try to lose the excess weight first and see if this makes a difference then go the doctor. I have been trying to do my own investigation into what causes this and what to do about it. If you hear anything more please post it. It is hard to find any information about post hysterectomy, the constipation, the bloating, the swollen tummy,etc.
Ain't it grand being a woman?

I finally found a web site where I can actually relate! I have been reading the posts here and feel so much better knowing I am not alone! I had a radical hysterectomy almost 2 years ago due to cancer, I am 44 years old(and cancer free) I have not been able to get rid of the stomach "pooch" and have also gained weight(about 15lbs. Total) I am taking estrogen for the symptons of menopause but I really do not think it is helping me. I had a very enjoyable sex life until after the hysterectomy. My husband has been very understanding and supportive, but now 2 years have passed without much improvement and we are now seperating. The sad part is, I have no desire for sex, I am not the same person I used to be. I am sad alot, I feel fat, unattractive and depressed. Is this the hormones, or the effects from the surgery, or both? I have tried reading self help books, exercise, vitamins,etc. I would love any ideas or just some replies from anyone who has experienced the same problems! Thanks

I to have had a radical hysterectomy. April of 2002. It took me a year to completely recover. I am on hormone patches and they are great! However, I have been left with this horrible stomach. I asked a lot of questions before my surgery, but no one ever told me I would be left with this pouch. How do I get rid of it or is it possible!

hi! I know what you mean. That is one of the larger problems with a hysterectomy. I could care less if we ever had sex again. It is uncomfortable, painful and dont even want too. Let me know if you find out anything that will bring back that aspect of life. I told my husband we should cut off his balls and see how often he wants to have sex.

I am so glad i found this site. I had my hysterectomy october 1st 2007. I am 42. I also have this horrible pooch. Mine is pretty bad because i sort of had one before surgery due all three of my children were born c sections. When i came home from the hosp. My stomach was bruised so badly it was dark black that took 2 mo. for it to go away but it still feels bruised inside. I to can feel very depressed and just want to cry when i look at myself i wonder what have i done to my self. I cannot fit into any of my clothes either. I was wearing a size 6 or 8 before surgery and now i am wearing a size 10. Sex has sort of been an issue not that i don't want to but i don't want my husband to see me naked. I feel like since this surgery i have lost all my self esteem. I am lucky that my husband is very understanding. He tells me all the time how much he loves me and how beautiful i am although i do not feel that way. I started doing yoga online because i live in a very remote area no where for me to go to exercise. I think one thing we all have to try to do is learn to be gentle with ourselves, to love ourselves and try not to mentally beat ourselves up. I have to remind myself all the time that my body has changed and will continue to as i age but i am still the same person inside. I do have a question, I have been breaking out with terrible acne since surgery i never had acne not even as a teenager. Has anyone else had this problem?

momsypants - I will private message you!!!

After reading the articles i found they help me more understanding the "side effect" after the hysterectomy...

I will having varignal hysterectomy soon, but will keep the overian... would like to know any one of you have the same operation and how long it takes you fully recovery ... I mean back-to-work? By keeping the overian, but remove the womb....will it has sign of early menopause after the opt?????

I pm'd you!!

I had a total vaginal hysterectomy on Nov 21. You will be glad to know I was back to work 1/2 days by the following Wednesday, worked 1/2 days for two weeks, then full time with no problems. I felt 100% better imediately after surgery.
No menapause concerns, still want to have sex no problems.
Then my situation changed, I did not know they sent the uterus to patholgy after surgery, I was notified this past monday I had cervical cancer, this surgery saved my life, I had a pap and transvaginal ultrasound 1 week prior to the surgery all normal, I found this out at my post op appt.

Dear Satterlee

Thanks for sharing with me your story here

I had private message to you!

I have had a c-section 2x without any children but due to surgeries. I found that pilates has helped and I found a site with abdominal exs after hysterectomy. The plank exs in which you are on the floor up on forearms/elbows and your toes and hold position for 10 sec and work up to 60 secs at a time has helped. Pelvic tilts helped too. Hope this helps.

Hi all... i had surgery on 25th of feb.. this year i also have a swollen stomach....i was hoping it would go back to normal by now ..... i went to see my doctor yesterday and he adviced me to tighten my stomach by holding it in then release and try again....very painful and hurts loads....im so glad i found this site i thought there was no help out there for us women after surgery...

I also have stomach pouch . It's below my belly button. I talked to my new doctor and he said that was the defect from Hysterectomy. The pouch contains blood and fluid. He is going to suck it out for me.