How to Get Rid of Swelly Belly After Hysterectomy

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Exercises After Hysterectomy to Reduce Hysterectomy Side Effects

A swelly belly after hysterectomy is completely normal. swollen and puffy belly is common. Each woman’s recovery after a vaginal hysterectomy is different. Swelly belly usually takes several weeks to go down but can take about 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover. To learn how to get rid of swelly belly after hysterectomy it’s important to know a few things. A hysterectomy will bring on surgical menopause, and the body will have no time to adjust to the sudden drop in estrogen levels. This means that common menopause symptoms, like abdominal bloating, can occur suddenly and severely.

Swelly belly after hysterectomy is a tight or full feeling in the abdomen, and sometimes, the abdominal area can be visibly larger. This is usually due to water retention or increased intestinal gas, and can be worsened by hormone fluctuations.  Although hormones are a primary cause for bloating, there are certain lifestyle habits that can worsen it. If your tummy becomes hot, red, or painful, please call your doctor. This is NOT normal and NOT part of the normal post-op swelling.

One of the challenging aspects of a hysterectomy is swelly belly. It can occur in any type of abdominal procedure: open abdominal, laparoscopic, robotic hysterectomy, tummy tuck, hernia repair and even c-section. Trauma to your abdominal tissues, gasses used during surgery, and/or fluids collecting in the tissues cause also cause swelly belly. After suck a procedure your body had had a shock and will need time to back to normal. But we do have some tips to show you how to get rid of swelly belly after hysterectomy.

Gentle Compression

Compression after a hysterectomy (or any type of surgery that causes a change in the abdominal area) can help rid of swelly belly. Bengkung Belly Binding is a tradition used in many cultures around the world … in healing after a miscarriage, during menstruation, cesarean, and hysterectomy. A gentle binder can support your tummy and back, allowing you to move with less pain and greater mobility.

Unsafe Abdominal Exercises for Prolapse or After Hysterectomy - Physical Therapist Demonstration

Gentle Movements

The best moves designed to help you get rid of swelly belly after a hysterectomy begin on your back. A gentle pelvic tilt is a great way to begin tackling swelly belly. Start with your knees bent, facing the ceiling. Place one hand under your lower back and one on your stomach. Press your back down as you tighten your stomach muscles and buttocks to support that downward pressure. Hold this clench for 5 seconds, release, then repeat. Be sure to rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.

Choose the Right Foods

There are certain foods that are known to cause general swelly belly in many people. These foods include beans, broccoli, onions, and cabbage, It could also be useful to cut out milk and dairy products, as many people have lactose intolerance issues that can cause gas and bloating. Food allergies and intolerances can cause gas and bloating. But these need to be confirmed by your doctor. Chewing gum can also lead to swallowing air, which can cause bloating. It’s important to keep an eye of the foods you’re consuming if you want to get serious about getting rid of your swelly belly.

10 Easy Ways to Relieve Stomach Bloating

Improve Digestion

You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. Constipation is common issue after a hysterectomy. Constipation can lead to swelly belly. When stool becomes backed up in the large bowel, it can cause bloating and a feeling of discomfort. Excess gas may also build up behind the stool, making the bloating worse. It’s common knowledge that fiber is beneficial for good digestion. Taking a fiber supplement can drastically improve digestion and get rid of swelly belly.

Certain over-the-counter products may also help with bloating, such as supplemental enzymes that can help break down indigestible carbohydrates. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for you, especially your digestive system. Probiotics can aid digestion, help maintain gut health, and help get rid of swelly belly.

Go for a walk Physical activity can get the bowels moving more regularly, which can help to release excess gas and stool.

Increase Potassium

As mentioned earlier, fluids collecting in the tissues cause swelly belly after hysterectomy. Fluids and cells move to the site of the surgical incisions to aid healing. Potassium is a mineral that plays a key role in cell function, including regulating fluid balance. Potassium-rich foods can help counteract the effects of swelling and bloating after a hysterectomy. Celery contains a good dose of potassium–the mineral electrolyte required to maintain optimal fluid levels throughout your body. Which is essential for all of your organ systems to function properly. Potassium supplements help your body flush excess water. In addition, a potassium deficiency can also cause you to retain water.

Swelly belly after hysterectomy is not uncommon, but can be uncomfortable and make you feel self conscious. Consider asking your health care professional about joining a support group before or after your surgery or recovery. Talking about your concerns with other women in a similar situation is often helpful. In order to reduce the chances of developing abdominal bloating, it is best to make a few changes to your lifestyle habits, such as those mentioned above, and the recovery period should be a lot more comfortable. Swelly belly eventually goes away on its own, but exercising and eating right certainly help.

Want to see more foods that can help decrease belly fat and bloating? Check out the benefits of drinking kuding tea.