I am 16 days post op and recovering well. Recently got a chest cold and have been coughing a lot. No fever and feeling fine other than cough. I am worried about my new tummy. Will all this coughing cause damage to it and delay healing on the inside?

Humans aren't built that way. I was trying to think of how to explain it, but as usual, there is already a webpage for it.

I present ....... Anatomy of a Cough http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/health/interactives/cold/

If the cough is causing you to lose sleep, you may want to take something to quiet it down so you can get your rest. Lack of sleep will affect your healing much more.

Try to keep a pillow close by too - I always felt more secure with one if I coughed or sneezed in my first couple of weeks.