Swelling from lipo on back/flanks

So...I know my PS said that this would prob be one of the last places where swelling will go away. But it is as swollen as day one when most everything else has gone down (with exception to abs above incision). It looks really lumpy and ungly right now compared to all the other areas I had done. Has anyone else had this and when did they see the swelling a lumpiness go away? I am sure I am just impatient but hummmmm....

Thanks in advance for advice and experience!
Tammy

Hi Tammy girl........
Sorry to tell you I still have lumpiness from the lipo in my arms and that was done at the end of July.  (I did not have any lipo with my tummy tuck, butt, back, etc).  The swelling in my arms took at least 4 months to go down ......I think it's all gone now.  I started massaging my arms to try to work out some of the lumps but I'm not sure if it is working.  Plus I'm going in for another revision on the arms so I figure the surgeon might be able to remedy it for me.  From what I understand the swelling and effects from lipo, especially aggressive lipo, can take a long time to heal.  The price we are paying for our new bodies.

Are you wearing any compression garments to help with the swelling and tissue healing?

Hang in there, it does get better.
Ruth

Thanks Ruth...you give me hope! I have been massaging the area more lately but in an awkward area to keep it up for any length of time. Gotta have DaHusband help me out :-). I just started wearing stage 2 body suit (rib cage to calves) which seem to have even more compression than my stage 1 since the original one had stretched a little. I plan to keep on 24/7 for at least 3 months to help with the swelling.
My PCP ordered blood tests for my yearly WLS checkup and added a few additional tests because I had this last surgery. It came back with an elevated ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) which means I have a high level of imflamation which she said should go down as the swelling does...
Patience, patience, patience...is what I need.

Good luck in your healing!
Tammy

Hey Tammy, I sure hope it goes down soon for you.  I'm having serious buyers remorse about the booty lift and back lipo while I sit hear in pain and read about hematomas and long term swelling.  There is an area on my left hip that is so swollen I started to think he did fat gafting there or that the graft migrated from my butt to my hip but he assures me he/it didn't.  Maybe invest ing a couple half hour professional massages a week might help?

I am looking into lymphatic messages but it looks like the closest one it over 50 miles away. Ugh. I also have $400 in spa gift certificates I still need to use..maybe I will get regular messages with them...It will make me feel better if anything! :-).
BTW..I remember the buyers remorse for the booty and thighs.....but it does get better..promise.

Really in northern CA the closest is 50 miles?  I'm sure regular massasges will help.  Thank god things got better for you, it helps calm my nerves and gives me hope.

Tammy,

If you are open to coming all the way to SF, I can recommend a phenominal lymphatic massage person who focuses on post-PS patients.  I used her after my upper body work and will begin using her next week for all the lower body swelling, etc.

Michelle

Sure! If you could PM me with their info that would be great..also how much...I know they aren't cheap :-)

I went through buyers remorse that first few days as well, but you will turn the corner soon.  I started feeling better when I got up and walked around.  Try sleeping on your sides with a pillow under your hip, and that helped a lot too.  If you are laying on your back, you are compressing your butt somewhat.  The first place it is going to go is the closest area that isn't being compressed as much, and that would be your hips.  No hematomas with me, and I had 6 lbs lipo'd!

I hope you get some relief with the new garment. I'm going to order a stage 2 one in the hopes it will be a little tighter....right now I'm wearing 2 garments so I can get extra compression....it helps.

I'm also looking into some Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage.....if I find someone local I'll give it a try.  If it helps I'll let you know.

You are right about patience but man it is hard!!

Best wishes on your healing!!
TTFN
Ruth