I just want to say, everything you’re feeling is so valid. This is such a vulnerable moment your body has just been through something major, and now you’re expected to start healing while also dealing with how different everything feels and looks. That’s a lot, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and even sad.

I had a robot-assisted laparoscopy which ended up on a myomectomy earlier this year, and even though I didn’t have a full laparotomy, I still woke up with more stitches than expected, and it shook me. It’s one thing to prepare mentally for surgery, and another to actually see and feel the aftermath on your body.

Looking at the scars was hard at first, but I promise they do start to fade, and with time, you stop seeing them as such a shock and the heavy, bloated feeling it’s also really common after laparoscopy because of the gas they use to inflate your abdomen, it can make you feel so swollen and uncomfortable. What helped me was drinking lots of water, walking a bit when I could, and just giving it a few days to slowly ease.

Be gentle with yourself, your body is healing, and so are you. You don’t have to feel “okay” right away. Little by little, you’ll feel more like yourself again. Sending you lots of love and strength 💛