Radical nephrectomy

2 years later I’m still swollen where my kidney was removed 

Hi Hannah,

          Great to hear it went really well for you. I remember your first post so it's great to get an update.

4 weeks isn't really very long. I had nephrectomy early May and my stomache is getting better and better. I had 4 holes and a slit. The scars took about 6 weeks to heal and the scabs to fall off. My stomache isn't quite the same shape in that area but it is gradually returning to what it was. Though i fully accept it may never be the same as it was. You, on the other hand, are still very young so your skin will be more elastic and be more likely to return to what it was. It will take time though. I would say don't worry until about 6 months have passed. By then i guess things should be getting back to how they were. Try not to lift anything heavy. And try not to lift anything when you're off balance. The scars inside you will take about 12 weeks to heal and you do't want to get a hernia if you can help it.

So give your body time to heal and recover. Nephrectomy is a big deal for a body. (I have to keep reminding myself of this)

Del.

Hi Hannah1996,

So glad everything went well for you, four weeks you are still healing, try not to worry or hush the healing process, I don’t know if the hospital have said you can do light excise to begin with, has your scar healed and have you finished with the injections to stop blood clots, I know it takes time for the swelling to go down as you have been through a major operation and the body needs time to recover, you are young so you have an advantage with your body being more supple, I was a least a month before I was walking to the end of my road and back, the worst for me was the injections into my stomach it was black and blue and really sore, I was lucky my scar healed really quickly let us know how you get on as we are all praying for good results for you.

sending love and hugs to you for a quick recovery Sandy xx

Hi Hannah, great responses from everyone below. I agree entirely with  them. You are at a very early stage of recovery and are doing amazingly well. Unfortunately a swollen tummy is 100% normal and from my own experience in 2005 my tummy took months and months to be more like me. I was 49 at the time so does take longer than younger people to spring back. I am assuming by profile you are young. I, myself, was extremely fortunate that I had my operation as Open surgery with 40 staples and didn’t get one infection in the wound. I took 3 months off work and went back to work for 3 months part time. I am on chat now because unfortunately my cancer has returned. They are calling it kidney cancer (secondary) even though the debaulking was done in March and cancer was removed through throat and back. Have had 5 rounds of radiotherapy and am Having infusions too. Am on hold for a month with these as making me sick. Am in and out of hospital with other medical issues but going home this morning. I really do wish you all the best and a very speedy recovery. I went 17 years before any issues and it was extreme trauma in our lives that I am convinced triggered it off. Think positive thoughts and you will be absolutely fine and your scar really does get better. Regards Aileen (Gooner) xx

Thank you. Yes I think I forget how big the op actually was! I’m glad you are doing well 

Hello, yes they said I can do gentle exercise now so I’m walking quite well now. I’ve finished my injections yesterday thank god! Glad they’re done with, thank you I think I forget it’s only been 4 weeks and not that long really!

Thank you, sorry to hear about that I hope you’re doing as well as you can! 

Hi Gooner,

How are you feeling now I see you are going home soon after your spell in hospital, have they been able to sort your problems out for you, are they going to send the OT out to see what they can do for you to make life easier for you, how is your husband coping I know it must be hard as I know he must be so worried about you, I hope you will be able to get out and about and maybe enjoy a visit or two, the weather is getting hotter again so you must take care hope you will be feeling better soon.

Sending hugs and love Sandy xx

Hi Hannah,

I was diagnosed with kidney cancer just a few weeks ago on 14th July after 2 CT scans. I had my op (radical open nephrectomy) 3rd August to remove my left kidney and a 4.5lb (2kg) tumour.

I'm only 9 days post-op but do have a swollen abdomen above and below the incision (belly button to side of ribs, approx. 30cm), apparently the swelling is fairly standard and can take quite some time to reduce, in some cases it can be permanent, but these are few and far between from my research so far.

The key by all accounts is to just do nothing, words that do not exist in my vocabulary, example, the week before I was diagnosed I'd played 4 games of squash and 2 games of cricket. But, as you will have read from others, it can take up to 12 weeks for internal incisions to repair and, where the abdominal and intercostal muscles are concerned, this can be harder said than done; we use them so much - simple breathing and as stabilising muscles in everything we do. Doing nothing will help to give the chance of swelling reduction a better chance....obviously, age, fitness and lifestyle does matter too :-)

All the best, Andy

I had my radical nephrectomy 6 weeks ago. Tummy is pretty much OK. Left side is now numb  (permanently I understand). Right hip hurts like billyoh. It carried all my considerable weight during a 6 hour op and is still really sore. Kidney and scar etc all fine.