Swelling ends when after LBL?

I've read that some people swell off and on for months after surgery. I'm 5 1/2 weeks and a few days ago my swelling was non-existant until Saturday when I went to a family function (we live in Texas) and we sat out in the heat, me in my Spanx and a pair of pants, baking. My husband looked at my stomach, in which I could feel that bloated feeling and said, "You need to get out of the heat and lay down." I looked down and I looked 5 months pregnant. It's been two days. I've been taken it easy and am drinking lots of water but it's not really gone away entirely. It's better though.

When did you LBL patients really notice the swelling had gone away for the most part. I understand it can come back off and on for a long time but when was did swelling stop being the "the norm."

Also, did any of you swell in your thighs? In my 2 day post-op pictures, my thighs were still chunky but not like they are now. I have a sort of plateau from my hips to the start of my thighs. It doesn't go completely away unless I'm wearing my Spanx. They help but it's certainly not what it was right after surgery. Anybody know if this is temporary?

Thanks,
Heather  :)

Funny you should mention the heat causing you to swell, which is normal even in someone who hasn't had surgery.  But I noticed that I was having alot of swelling some days even when I was just lounging on the couch, until I connected it with something else......sitting my laptop on top of me and the heat from the computer was making me swell like a balloon!  So I stopped doing that .  Then there were the days when I just plain ol' did too much walking or cleaning and paid the price for it.  There was one day that was real bad and my ass and thighs were swollen too and I hadn't had any of that before, so I laid low for about 3 days and things came back into place eventually.  I just had a panni removal 4 weeks ago, so you are probably swelling alot more than I am since you had an LBL but I think its just part of our lovely recovery experiences!  Hang in there.

7.5 weeks out I stopped swelling at least in my feet.   My legs are still a little swollen and my belly comes and goes.

Im always amazed at how much and how little my patients swell.  Some essentially never swell after the first 2-3 weeks.  Others may deal with it for 6 months and more. 

Find out what triggers it (prolonged sitting, salt intake, not wearing your garment)  and try and avoid those things.  I also believe in lymphatic massage to restore the lymph channels that when disrupted, cause swelling.

im 3 weeks out and the only swelling i have now from the lbl is on the incision on my back side is horrible stands up about 4 inches.

I am one of the unlucky ones.  I am just over 4 months out.  i still swell pretty consistently.  I just read one of the posts about the laptop!  Duh that totally makes sense.  I am going to have to check into that. 

My legs aren't really that bad-  my tummy looks three-four months preggo!!!!!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!  I totally know how you feel. Right now I"m wondering "was it worth it to trade loose skin for preggo looks?"

Cass

I still swell from time to time and I'm 7 months out from an LBL. I've heard expect it for up to a year. The swelling isn't nearly as bad now as it was the first 2 months, but it's still there.

Robin

Heather, "swell-hell" is an unfortunate side effect of plastic surgery.  I HATE HATE HATE it but it happens.  Some are fortunate enough to have some relief from it after a few months but some of us swelling for a while.  I had my LBL back in 2007 and occasionally I still have swelling in my midsection, but that's probably more from what I eat than the actual surgery.  But I do remember that I had swelling for quite a while.  I had an upper body lift with arms back in February and I still swell.  It's annoying.  You can help the swelling with compression (check with your doctor first) and limiting the salt in your diet, increasing protein, and try arnica & bromelain.  Good luck to you.