So, how long does the gas/swollen look last after surgery? I have heard some people say that they looked pregnant for a few weeks after surgery. Is that true, or does the pregnant look go away within a few days? I don't want to look any different (other than hopefully a little slimmer) when I start classes again this fall.

Hey Laurend. I wouldn't call it pregnant puff but I would call it muffin top. I swelled like someone with a beer gut. You know, high on the stomach? After a couple of weeks it started to go down and it would go down when I rested.

Hey Laurend. I wouldn't call it pregnant puff but I would call it muffin top. I swelled like someone with a beer gut. You know, high on the stomach? After a couple of weeks it started to go down and it would go down when I rested.

Well, hell. I already look like that. I carry most of my weight on my stomach. I guess I better go ahead and get some larger shirts and some pants with elastic, then.

Well, hell. I already look like that. I carry most of my weight on my stomach. I guess I better go ahead and get some larger shirts and some pants with elastic, then.

That would be my current look. Been sporting the elastics for several years. Will be sooooo glad when I can wear BLUE JEANS.

Oh goodness.. I hadn't thought about that. Will I need bigger clothing post-op?? I've been getting rid of stuff that I thought was going to be too big.. Maybe I should buy some sundresses or stuff?? Did anyone out there need bigger clothing post op due to swelling??

That would be my current look. Been sporting the elastics for several years. Will be sooooo glad when I can wear BLUE JEANS.

I can wear them right now, but not very comfortably. Since I carry my weight on my stomach, if I get jeans that are comfortable around my waist, they are way too baggy on my butt, hips, and thighs. If I get them to fit those, the waist is too tight. Plus, most plus-size clothes are too long. I LOVE elastic-waist pants, but it's hard to find attractive ones (that, again, fit right on the rest of me).

You will need loose fitting clothes -- more not to irritate the stitches - those areas that are very tender.

My experience was more like when I get bloated at TOM. Only lasted a few days to week -- the sooner you get the gas out the better you are.

Do that by taking DEEP breaths immediately waking up from surgery as much as you can-and walking every hour for 10 minutes or more --

Best of luck to all!

I don't know about swelling. I really carry my weight like a guy, I have a big ol belly. I wore housedresses around the house the week after surgery out of comfort, but I lost at least 10lbs the first week and never had to go up a size.. (Even if I didn't lose 10lbs, my clothes still fit right after surgery.. the housedresses I got were not very loose and didn't get any tighter)

But for swelling.. I never noticed it??? I mean, maybe I did, but my belly is so big you DEFINITELY couldn't tell. I stood naked in front of a mirror to see if I noticed anything, and I promise I didn't even notice an inch!

Now when I look in the mirror, one thing I notice.. I suck my gut in as a life-long habit, and now with my gut sucked in the port incision dimples in drastically. The skin on top and bottom kind of collapse over it, like a belly button.

My post-op appt was this past Wednesday and he said I still had swelling, he was pushing down on my stomach though, and I think he meant under the port, I have a hard lump about 3inx2x.

I sure wouldn't go buy any larger clothes. You will need something that is loose fitting, especially about the first week. I wore what I call 'house dresses' during my first week or so, then got back into my regular clothes for work 2 weeks later.

You will definitely be swollen the first week or so, but it gets better so quickly, you'll be surprised. I think I lost 13 lbs the first 2 weeks and felt more like 25.