OH! MY GOSH! I had that surgery, but they didn't have to open me up. They didn't a lap through my belly button. However, I do know what it is like to have your belly opened up. I am a 9 year cancer survivor. I had to have my left kidney removed because for kidney cancer. So I know first hand what it it like to be sore. Hopefully you have someone to look in on you. Your going to need a little help for a while, don't want to open up those stitches, because it will leave a wicked scar.