lack of/no control of stomach muscles....

[LynnMarie74]

Help!? I mentioned this in a reply from another post,but I wanted it here too....sorry. Ever since my surgery, I have been unable to suck in my tummy! Its really frustrating to not be able to do this. Not only can I not suck it in, but its almost forced outward, which in turn, makes me look like Ive gain some weight. I have zip up sweat shirts that I wear when Im chilly, and I zipped one up the other day and it was tight! I know how it used to fit pre op and its tight now. Im the same weight now that I was pre op & having picked up some height( 1 1/2 inches) you would figure I would look & be slimmer. Anyone have this same issue? Im 5 weeks post op.....let me know...I sure hope I will be able to regain this muscle control...it makes me crazy & want to go on a crash diet! :mad:

[Singer]

My belly stuck out a bit for about 2 months...it's really common.

[LindaRacine]

Hi Lynn...

This could be any number of things including temporary swelling, an abdominal wall defect, or too much lordosis. You should mention it to Dr. Tribus.

Regards,
Linda

[LynnMarie74]

Hi Lynn...

This could be any number of things including temporary swelling, an abdominal wall defect, or too much lordosis. You should mention it to Dr. Tribus.

Regards,
Linda

Thanks for the info....Could be swelling or still bloating...I dont think its Lordosis tho....Im looking forward to my post op....lots of questions...

[abhbarry]

Lynn,
As said before, you are still REALLY early in your recovery and that is totally normal. I don't remember how long my stomach was like that, but it goes away - don't crash diet!!!! If you are really concerned, call the nurses, or your PCP. Sometimes I found the nurses at Dr. Tribus's office rude and unhelpful.

Best,
Anya

[CHRIS WBS]

I never experienced any of the belly, bloating or constipation issues so often described here. Guess I was just lucky. Perhaps I would have if I had undergone anterior surgery in which case these side-effects seem to be fairly common.

[fierceliketiger]

I definitely had that problem! It is just now starting to go away. my stomach is still swollen, but I can suck it in now...I still have a belly bump though. Did you have both an anterior and posterior surgery? I did, and I think that having that done makes it take even longer

[LynnMarie74]

Lynn,
As said before, you are still REALLY early in your recovery and that is totally normal. I don't remember how long my stomach was like that, but it goes away - don't crash diet!!!! If you are really concerned, call the nurses, or your PCP. Sometimes I found the nurses at Dr. Tribus's office rude and unhelpful.

Best,
Anya

Funny that you say that....about the nurses...I couldnt agree more. Every single time I call, they are nasty or at least seem like either they hate their jobs or they hate talking to me. Also, they give you grief when you try to get a refill. There are 2 nurses there, Ellen & Rose that I like, and are nice on the phone. Did they tell you that they wanted you off most/all meds by 6 weeks?? The only thing I need to keep taking is the Gabatine for the nerves..I wanna say she said Id be on that for about 6 months...I think.

[abhbarry]

Oh yes, Lynn - I couldn't agree more. I used to cry after talking to the nurses because I felt they treated me so badly and were so horrible about pain control. My PCP got really mad at how they treated me and completely took over my pain control. It was SO much better once I stopped dealing with Dr. Tribus's nurses. I wonder whether we should tell him how we feel??

Best,
Anya

[LynnMarie74]

Oh yes, Lynn - I couldn't agree more. I used to cry after talking to the nurses because I felt they treated me so badly and were so horrible about pain control. My PCP got really mad at how they treated me and completely took over my pain control. It was SO much better once I stopped dealing with Dr. Tribus's nurses. I wonder whether we should tell him how we feel??

Best,
Anya
Anya----I feel silly asking this, but what is a PCP? :) Whoever they are...would you recomend me to them? If they are more helpful in my recovery, maybe I will be better off too! :) Let me know...and yes maybe we shoud say something to the office,or write a letter? Let me know....talk to you soon!

[abhbarry]

Lynn,

Your PCP is your Primary Care Physician - so whatever doctor usually takes care of you through your health insurance. Talk to him/her and see what they can do for you - whatever it is, I'm sure it will be better than Tribus's nurses!

Good luck,
Anya

[LynnMarie74]

Ohhh yeah....duhh...I feel dumb now! lol I have fusion & surgeons on the brain I guess! Thats a good idea, but I think I will wait & see what happens next week @ my post op apt...I will be 7 weeks at that point....one week past the time they "want me off my meds"! lol HA! I will let you know what happens & if Im feeling fiesty enough, maybe I will then make a formal complaint! :D Thanks for the advice Anya!!! Take care!

[JoAnn5]

Bet you still have swelling in your tummy area, I did for a long while. My surgeon wanted to wash his hands of me after 6 weeks as far as my pain meds were concerned. Thankfully, my family dr. took over and is very understanding. By all means, let the Dr. know how you are treated by his staff! After all, his business depends on the satisfaction of his patients.

[wascaly]

Did I EVER have a swollen belly after surgery! It was awful, to say the least, and it was all due to constipation, which, in inself, was more miserable than anything the surgeon did. I used to cry from so much pain in my belly. The doc suggested I take Miralax, and that was nothing short of a miracle in my case. The swollen look finally went away, but it took a good 2 months.

[LynnMarie74]

My swelling isnt from constipation...thank goodness Ive had that under wraps for some time now. Dont get me wrong...it was 10 times worse when I was constipated...now its just residule...ummm.. something....muscle swelling...I guess. I dont know...all I know is that the rest of me has been (knock on wood) feeling pretty darn good, except for that! It doesnt hurt...its just...there!! Its just so obvious...how my tummy buldges out, its hard and the weirdest part, is it doesnt go down when I lay down...which it obvisouly used to. Its very odd...for those who have been pregnant before...its like that, a pregnant belly at about 18 to 20 weeks..you know, the hard belly that doesnt move. And no....Im not pregnant! :)~ Yikes...what a thought/nightmare THAT would be...ughh. LOL

I will talk to the Doc next Thursday when Im in for my 7 supposed to be 6 week check up. And I know 2 things...1-If i still feel I need meds, I will let them know. If they dont want to help me, I will talk to my reg doctor about it and 2- I will certainly let Dr Tribus or someone know how Ive been treated by the nurses thus far. Not sure how far that will go...but its worth a try! :)

[always smilin']

LynnMarie and Abhbarry-
I have my date set with Dr. Tribus for April 28 - SCARED TO DEATH! Now I read your posts and am worried that I am making a mistake...at least with nursing care. PLEASE let Dr. Tribus know - as a future patient - I'm terrified to go through what you two have gone through with the nurses.

I have been reading both of your posts though and am shocked at how well you both recovered (although I don't know a thing about the belly bloating - I hope sincerely that it's nothing and will go away soon for you!)

Any advice would be heeded!
Always Smilin'
1982 fused T2-L1
pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

recheck 2006
right thoracic 57
lower lumbar 34

[cathydownunder]

Lynn did you have anterior surgery? When I had my first disc replacement and fusion for DDD I had an undiagnosed haematoma (bleed) which resulted in an enormous belly.
I knew things weren't "right" but the nurses kept telling me it was normal for abdominal surgery. Well, they were wrong...you'd think the low RBC would have raised a few alarm bells but not so.
It took at least 2 months for the blood to reabsorb and I had daily therapeutic ultrasound to help break it down.
Just a thought.

[LynnMarie74]

Lynn did you have anterior surgery? When I had my first disc replacement and fusion for DDD I had an undiagnosed haematoma (bleed) which resulted in an enormous belly.
I knew things weren't "right" but the nurses kept telling me it was normal for abdominal surgery. Well, they were wrong...you'd think the low RBC would have raised a few alarm bells but not so.
It took at least 2 months for the blood to reabsorb and I had daily therapeutic ultrasound to help break it down.
Just a thought.

Hi Cathy- no..just posterior...I was SUPPOSED to have had anerior, but thank goodness..while I was waiting in the pre op area of the hospital, my doc said that after another review of my xrays, anterior was not needed. Soooo, I guess its a mystery!!

[abhbarry]

Always smiling,

I want to reassure you that I have full faith in Dr. Tribus's surgical abilities. I had done a lot of research on him prior to surgery and feel comfortable with the choice that I made. He was always professional, treated me like a real human being, and showed genuine care and concern. In that regard, I hope that I can put your mind at ease. His nurses are a problem, as you have gathered from the posts. There are two nurses that are pretty good, as Lynn wrote. You will want to try to deal with them. As I told Lynn, I just couldn't take the way they treated me post-op and stopped dealing with them altogether. I would express your concern to Dr. Tribus and say that you've heard from patients in the past that they were treated with disrespect and the nurses are unrealistic and sometimes downright mean with their ability to provide adequate pain control. The nurses are not a HUGE part of this process though and I really liked Dr. Tribus. I would be happy to give you any advice on UW hospital as well if you want to PM me sometime.

Best - keep your chin up!
Anya

[LynnMarie74]

I agree...I had/have full trust & respect for Dr. Tribus. He is a very nice & down to earth person & like she said, treats you w/respect & listens & takes his time with you. The only issue that Ive ever had, was w/a few a the nurses. And its when you call to get a refill...a few of them made me feel like an addict 3 weeks out...I was like come on...you've got to be kidding me. Of course I never said anything to them at the time. Im cut way back by now...taking about 3-4 a day(hydrocodone) so they dont hassel me as much now when I do call. However, I still disagree w/their logic of being off totally at 6 weeks..which is today by the way...its impossible I will say. Im being reasonable w/my meds & using them when I need them. They should respect that & fill 'er up! lol You will like Dr Tribus...Im sure of it.

Oh...and today the last of my steri-strips are off!!! Yahhooooo! I was working on the ends for a few days and been putting cream on them at night. The last few ..ok there were more than a few...but they came right off!! It felt sooo nice to have those darned things off!! The scar looks fantastic by the way! He did a awesome job w/the cut & stitches!! :D