Problems with swelling pre-op?

Hi everyone. I'm normally a lurker on this board, so I hope you don't mind me jumping in with a question. I have problem with swelling in my legs and feet. I've been seeing my PCP about it for months and after a million tests and not finding any other explaination, he's concluded that it's basically because of my weight. My surgeon seemed to agree and said that the 2 week pre-op liquid diet would help get rid of a lot of the fluid.  I'm wondering if any of you had a problem with swelling pre-op and if losing weight helped get rid of the excess fluid. Thanks in advance for any insight! Brandi

Have they confirmed that its not lipidema?  My feet did swell a lot more before surgery, they never swell now.  Usually though for me it was related to my blood pressure being high.  You might try compression socks or stockings, and massage, to help with the fluid retention.  Also, nothing beats putting your feet up :) I hope the liquid diet helps!  The compression stocking air things they keep on you after surgery will probably also help.  They feel pretty good at first too.

I do have high blood pressure and they did say that would also cause the swelling.  Thank you for your input.

I had constant fluid retention in one ankle and took lasiks to help reduce the swelling.  When I started the pre-op diet, I noticed that when I ate according to the planned menu, I didn't use the bathroom excessively and my ankle wasn't as swollen.  After surgery, I don't take the Lasik because I am concerned with dehydration, but my ankles - yep both of them - have never been smaller!

I am preop and my left leg and foot swell often, but not my right.  Doc said it was blood pressure/weight/medication related, although he never did any tests.  If I wear compression stockings, it goes down considerably.  If I don't, then I prop it up often.

I have always had problems with swelling of my feet and my hands.  but after surgery my feet and hands have been smaller my ankles have not even gotten swollen in the heat like they used to. 

I am pre-op. Surgery scheduled June 10th but I have alot of swelling also from high blood pressure and weight. My PCP and Surgeon both agreed after surgery this should go away. I start on the two week pre-op liquids Tuesday........

Hi Brandi, I haven't had surgery yet but I have swelling in both feet, ankles and lower legs.  I have been on MediFast, the liquid diet, a few times and each time all the swelling went totally away.  I have to stay away from sodium or I will swell and having a sit down job doesn't help with my weight.  Also, ibuprofen tends to make them very swollen; there is a lot of sodium in it.   I would think after you start the liquid diet it should get markedly better.  Good luck.  Linda