Carol, How is the swelling in your legs coming along? I had swelling in my lower legs for almost a year after I had an extended tummy tuck and now it has completely resolved. I am a ER nurse and the docs told me that it was lymphedema..so now after having WLS I am terrified of getting the thigh lift when i get to goal weight. I hope all is getting better with you. Please keep us updated on your progress. All I can say is that mine did resolve on it's own....and hopefully yours will too !!! Hugs, Dana

I know how you feel -practice makes perfect they say and in this case it applies all to well. I had the same problem until at first too. I copied and pasted the message below in hopes it might help you. This is a question that is best shown to someone than tried to explain over a message bord - If possible bring all your wraps to the Doctor that showed you how to wrap and ask them to reshow you because your having problems. Sorry I can not be more helpful ... Lower Leg Bandaging The lower leg bandage is indicated on patients who are referred for lymphedema treatment but have mainly a venous insufficiency problem. It is easy to apply with a limited amount of bandages and this can be easily taught to a partner or caregiver. It will maintain excellent mobility for the patient since it is not affecting the knee joint. It is however essential to monitor the patient closely for any swelling starting right above the proximal edge of the bandage. This is why this is mainly used while the patient is still in treatment. It will usually require 4-5 rolls of compression bandage to effectively bandage the lower leg. All bandage techniques demonstrated assume no wounds on the extremities. Make sure to check for proper circulation in the toes throughout the application of the bandage. If the toes turn purple or cold, start over again. Step 1 Cover the lower leg with Stockinette, either tubular or flat. When using the flat material, use approximately 2 layers to cover the lower extremity. Have some extra overlap over the toes and over the knee. At a later stage this can be folded back for a more finished look. Step 2 Cover the lower leg with at least 2 layers of cast padding, applied in a spiral motion over the foot, a figure-8 over the ankle and a spiral motion over the rest of the lower leg, to just underneath the patella. Step 3 Anchor the smallest of the compression bandage (6cm width) over the fore foot. Next bring it behind the heel. Circle the fore foot again and go back behind the heel. Repeat this a total of 3 times. After the third time, come up from behind the heel and finish rolling the bandage over the lower leg with a herringbone technique. At this time make sure not to cover the anterior ankle, since having too much material will limit ankle motion and can be a cause of irritation. On the lower leg use a 2/3rd overlap, meaning that only 1/3rd of the bandage will stick out from underneath. Step 3a This step needs to be used for patients with more severe edema with significant foot involvement. For patients with more venous edema it can often be omitted. Adding this step will significantly thicken the bandage over the foot and therefore make it much harder for the patient to fit into a regular shoe. Wearing a regular closed shoe will act by itself as a compression factor. Start by circling the ankle in three steps, still ensuring not to cover the anterior ankle. After this, continue the bandage on the lower leg with the herringbone technique, maintaining 2/3rd overlap. Step 4 For this step use on size up, the 8cm wide bandage. Anchor at the forefoot, just as in step 3 and spiral up over the ankle. Make sure to only use 2 layers over the anterior ankle. Continue on the lower leg with a herringbone technique, maintaining 2/3rd overlap. Step 5 Start just above the ankle with the 10cm bandage, using the herringbone and while maintaining 2/3rd overlap. Step 6 Feel the bandage for firmness. Where the bandage feels softer to touch is where the next roll will start. Again, use a 10cm bandage, using the herringbone and maintain the 2/3rd overlap. This bandage should end right underneath the patella. If not, add another bandage roll to complete the compression bandage. Secure the bandage with 4-5 strips of tape. To finish the bandage off, the absorption material can be folded back and either taped to the bandage or folded underneath the last layer of compression material. If the extremity is wide or tall, use larger size bandages to accommodate the patient. For very large extremities use double-length rolls of compression bandages. These are available from different manufacturers in the wider sizes (10 and 12 cm). For patients with severe toe or finger involvement it may be necessary to also wrap these individually. Most authors use one or more rolls of gauze bandage for this purpose. Experience has shown that products such as Coban can be an excellent substitute for this. Cut the Coban in ¼ inch strips and gentle wrap these around the toes or fingers. The main advantage of using this material is that it significantly reduces bulk, which can be especially irritating between the toes.

If I allow my leg to swell ( to much time out of my stocking or wraps) then I have to rewrap once the swelling gets back down to normal. But wrapping get so much easier over time. As for a custom stocking - that is no big deal, I use custom fitted stockings ,depending on the company that makes it , it does not take very long at all to come in. When it does comes in-MAke sure that you test fit the stocking while with the Doctor,so there will not be a problem later, being your first stocking your probaly like me ,you want to start wearing it and get rid of wearing those wraps during the day. IF the doctor didnt tell you it will take a few days to get the stockings on right the first time and adjusted properly or at least it has for me. The doctor will show you how to wear it properly and problay either put it on for you the first time or at least help . Now that I am used to my stocking I might have to readjust a time or two during the day but normally they fit good all day, if I get it adjusted right the first time.

Yes,over time it does get a lot easier to get the wrap right. The first few times I wrapped myself it looked worse than a rats nest. Now I am an ole` pro at it. Once the swelling get down enough and you get that stocking you will be a lot better off. But it takes some time to gets it on right and adjusted so it don't bunch up around the top of the ankle, you will fiqure out what I mean after you get one. Helpful Hint: Try not to be in a rush when it is time to put on that stocking, put it own walk around a few minutes and then re-adjust - that is what works best for me anyways.// I myself wrap at nite to sleep in and wear a support stocking during the day. In my case after a few months of wearing my support stocking and wrapping at night I had to be refitted for a new size stocking - my leg size was down enough that I had to get a new size stocking.

This is great! I'm so glad you've found someone that knows what they are doing. I really hope that you get help and relief! Amy