Bloating and Hardness 4 months after laproscopic appendectomy

[Tajma]

Hello, I am a 26 year old female and had a laproscopic appendectomy October 10, 2008 and four months later I experience bloating and hardness after I eat and drink anything. I went back to my gastro and surgeon and they stated that they think I have IBS. I don't know what is going on but after every meal I look as if I am at least 4 months pregnant and I am so uncomfortable. I don't know what more to do because no further tests were run after my surgery or my complaints. Am I to be worried? I think that something is seriously wrong with my abdomen. Also, I know I had stitches for the deep tissue but why is my naval area still so sensitive?

[Joyak]

Mine definitely was from my appendectomy. I did not have this before whatsoever. But I did  have an emergency because mine burst and I did get sepsis and was given a whole of fluid because of that. My stomach was swollen really bad for a long time and then when it finally went down I was left with the distinction. I to have no pain and went to the bathroom normal. Our cases are much different beings you had yours laparoscopically.  One thing they had me go on is a probiotic and that helped tremendously going to the bathroom regularly. Maybe you have IBS from the surgery. I would call nurse and maybe ask.  I called the office quit a bit until we figured it out.  I sure hope you figure it out and can feel better.  

[amir_attari]

Thanks for your reply. Yeah, it seems to be IBS, but I cannot understand why I'm still having pain in the same area (near my appendix) and the fact that my surgeon said everything is OK and don't worry about this pain! Anyway, thanks again and wish you good health and happiness :)

[ChrisL95]

I had my appendix out 16 days ago and this  has happened to me for the last 4 days. Bloating after I eat and pain where my appendix used to be. Has this eased up for you?

[Joyak]

I had another CT of my stomach and found out I have Diastasis recti.  It’s sucks cause I’d need surgery to repair and because of my underlying medical conditions I’m not gonna do it. You can google it. Basically my muscles were torn apart and didn’t heal back together.  Reason for the lump. I will be able to probably short the length of it with physical therapy but it’ll always be there unless I have surgery to repair it.

[amir_attari]

Hey Joyak, sorry to hear that. But I'm wondering if it happened because of your appendectomy or was it like this for a long time? I didn't have bloating before the surgery. Now it's really bothering me.

I had laparoscopic surgery 2 months ago to remove my inflamed appendicitis (10mm in diameter). Now I have a bloated belly after I eat. Right side of my belly (where the appendix used to be) hurts a little, too. No diarrhea, no vomiting, a little constipated even though I drink lots of water and coffee. Went back to my surgeon and had an ultrasound 2 weeks ago plus a blood test to see if there's an abscess. Fortunately, everything was normal. But the pain and bloating are still there. I'm not using any medications. I just used painkillers for 5-6 days after the surgery. Sometimes I feel that my bowels are partially blocked or something.

[amir_attari]

Hey Tajma, I'm having the same problem now. I was wondering if you were able to find the source of the problem.

[Joyak]

Has anyone gotten any answers? I had an emergency appendectomy end of September. My stomach does the same thing after I eat. Right below the belly button. I thought maybe I had a hernia but got a CT scan and everything was normal. No bowel obstruction no hernia, nothing. So I don’t understand what it is either.  It’s so weird. I had been on cultural also for awhile because of all the antibiotics I was on but I stopped for week thinking maybe that was the cause but it wasn’t so I started taking align. It’s really confusing and frustrating.  

[specialmom]

hey there.  Have you talked to the doctor that did your appendectomy?  I'd check in with them as they may have experience with other patients having the same situation and therefore, have some insight for you.  

[Joyak]

I actually have an appointment next Tuesday. I’ll let you know what she says. I hope she will have some answers.

[amir_attari]

Hey Joyak, I'm having the same problem 2 months after the surgery. My surgeon did an ultrasound and also took a blood test, but everything seems to be normal. Did your doctor day anything? Bloating is very weird and frustrating.

[galeishere]

Exactly the same thing is happening to me know.  It's been about 5 months for me and my stomach is swelling and I feel hardness, too.  Especially after I eat.  I just started taking Culturelle a couple of days ago and yesterday and today I started having a little pain just under my belly button.  I stopped taking it and the pain is starting to go away.  I wonder if my belly is so screwed up that it is causing me the pain getting it back to good and bad bacteria. i don't know WHAT to do.  I've gained the most weight I've ever been (154 lb.)  If anyone finds the answer, Please post it!  Thanks

[Johnnyesquire]

Did swelling bloating ever go down im a guy only 6 days only chips. Went from 150 to 171 pounds and my 28 x34 jeans i might be able to get into if they were 34 waist! ! Help!!

[cma9321]

I'm interested to know how your stomach healed? I'm having the same symptoms 4 months after my appendectomy. Hardness and swelling around stomach incision. I'm very bothered by it and my doctor thinks its edema. I have a feeling its not edema and hope it heals soon.  Your response would be appreciated.

[Tajma]

Thank you for responding and I will try and follow all of your suggestions. Take care

[ggreg]

If one of the incisions for the laproscope were near your naval, you could have an infection going on.  But if the gastro and surgeon didn't detect it, perhaps not.  One time I got bloated and coughed, and wound up with a minor umbilical hernia, and it hurt for a couple weeks and then went away.  

What I really think is going on is, usually you have to take a bunch of antibiotics and pain pills after an op like that.  Those drugs can cause your symptoms.  There are two things caused by those meds, and these are relatively simple things that you can fix on your own.

First, antibiotics kill off both good and bad bacteria in the guts.  To restore the good bacteria, you can eat Activia yogurt or drink Acidophilus milk for a couple weeks.  Second, pain meds can dry out a person and cause constipation, so to relieve that, you should drink lots of extra water, eat more fiber like oat and wheat grain bread or cereal (and put chopped prunes and blueberries on the cereal), and do daily stretching exercise for a couple weeks, too.  You could also try some enemas and laxatives to get your bowels moving more regularly too.