Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

BariatricPal

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Join BariatricPal free

  • Ask your own questions
  • Reply and follow topics
  • Message other members
  • No cost, no spam

4 Days Post Op, Stomach Muscles And Incisions Feel Tight

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this...my stomach muscles, particularly around my incisions, and mostly on my left side, feel sooooooo tight. It's not painful to stand up straight and stretch them a bit, but I'm afraid of damaging something. But I'm also afraid of healing too tight...can that even happen? My back is starting to hurt because I have been using it and protecting my stomach muscles. Any advice is appreciated!

  • Replies 7
  • Views 1.3k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Featured Replies

Perfectly normal to feel like this after surgery. You should stand up straight as soon as you can, the longer you stay stooped the harder it will be to straighten up. Try holding a cushion against your incisions for support whilst you straighten yourself up.

It is the same as having a Caesar or hysterectomy, they encourage you to get out of bed and walk straight ASAP.

  • Author

Thanks, I will try the pillow trick!

pillow and ice-packs have been my life savers !!! i only have liquid band-aid no sutures or staples......

  • Author

I have steristrips, almost look like tape. I gave in and took some liquid loratab, despite the bad taste it really works sooooooo well.

I am 2 days post op and I am using a pillow too...it really helps.

The tightness is common after any abdominal laparoscopic surgery, I think. I had it after I had my gallbladder removed. I quit taking my prescription pain meds after just a few days and was trying to get along with just tylenol, but ended up in urgent care because I thought the tightness was a sign of something wrong. The doctor told me that it happens because all of those abdominal structures have been "traumatized" by the surgery, but they don't have the right nerves to send a pain signal, so they just create this feeling of tightness. She scolded me and told me to take my prescription pain meds because that's what they're there for. I think the exact phrase she used was "don't try to be a hero" lol!

Anyway, I hope you are feeling better very soon, and congratulations on your new beginning!

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.