u/PensionLost3465

I am officially over three weeks postop. Anybody know how long it takes for the swelling in your abdomen to go down because I feel like it’s just getting worse. I’ve lost a substantial amount of weight already and I feel like I can’t even see it that much because of how much swelling I have.

My question is how long did it take for your swelling to go down and what did you do to help it? I saw online that compression garments help but I was also told by the hospital it wasn’t a good idea to wear them because it adds too much tension to the abdominal area.

I am almost 3 weeks postop and I’m on the soft food diet and every time I eat or drink I feel sick it’s so bad that I struggle to even get past 400 calories a day. I only managed to have 160 yesterday and I normally sit at about 200 Ish calories, Is this normal? Did you experience anything like this? I have no appetite and every time I eat I’m afraid I’m gonna get sick. Im worried that it’s becoming a food fear now and I’m scared to eat because I don’t want to feel sick. I also have ulcerative colitis and I haven’t been able to take my medication and I’ve been definitely having a flare because my bowel movements have been awful I’ve been passing so much blood and I did call the doctor and the nurse said that that’s expected with my illnesses. But I feel so weak and sluggish and now I’m back at work and I can’t afford to be sick anymore I’m a server so I’m constantly moving and I’m afraid to eat at work because if I get sick, I can’t lay down with my heating pad.

Does anyone have any suggestions?