Legs swelling 5 weeks post op -- THIS is normal???

Lower body overhaul -- circumferential belt lipectomy -- five weeks ago.

No leg swelling until YESTERDAY.  They didn't operate on my legs -- I've been wearing compression garments faithfull -- then all of a sudden ... yesterday --

THUNDERTHIGHS!!!!

I know that my thighs now look larger in relation to the rest o f me because so much belly and hip flesh was removed ... but this is true swelling.  

Okay, olay ... the surgical nurse says this is NORMAL ... but I am a coward and need popular opinion to back this up ...

IS this normal so far past surgery?  In an area that wasn't operated on? Did this happen to you?

It strikes me as bizarre.  Not painful or horrible.  But every day my body is doing some new, wierd things.  It's like f*cking adolescence.

HELPPPPPPPPPPP

I can't speak from personal experience because I haven't had mine done yet (going tomorrow).  But I know dozens of dozens of ladies here who have said the same thing happened to them.  Soooo my guess is it is normal.  I'm won't be surprised if I'm feeling the same way in 5 weeks (I hope not but will not be surprised if it happens).

Best wishes on your recovery.

 Moosie, I'm very excited for you -- GOOD LUCK!!!!  

I had an extended tummy tuck and I had swelling in my thighs around 3 or 4 weeks out. I just woke up one day and I could see the tops of my thighs bulging. It made all of my shorts and pants fit tight in the thighs. It's normal. You have lymph nodes in your groin area and the fluid is making it's way into your lymphatic system to be eliminated. I took a rolling pin and gently rolled it on my tummy down to my thighs to help push the fluid along.

Interesting method of massage..........did it work???

I want to know, too.  I did some simple effleurage before I got out of bed this morning, and it helped -- but I've been up and out of bed for an hour and a half now -- I'm back where I started.  Since I really can't live my life, five weeks post-op, with my legs raised and gently massaging myself, I think this is not goin to be a long term strategy.

BTW, my belly/hips look GREAT!!  (Well, relative to having been cut up five weeks ago, they look great) -- hardly any swelling at all.  It's just the LEGS thing, YIKES!

Yes it worked and was actually recommended to me to do by Dr. Nijher's nurse. I remember her telling me to try it so I had to go out a buy a rolling pin...LOL

Rolling pin ... Not sure where mine is!  Do you think an empty bottle of red wine would would just as well?  

By all means! Just gently roll down on the tissue and keep steady pressure.