Swelling from lipo on back/flanks

I read that with the Veronique brand that they make the stage 2 smaller to account for less swelling farther out.
BTW..I think I found out why my swelling in the back looks more distorted/more prominant than before. I noticed the stage 2 has additional compression material (like the ab section) around the hip into the flank area pushing my swelling up into my  back. The lower back area just has the regular material. I looked at my stage one and it has the regular material and the extra compression material in the ab section only. Now to figure out how to compress the back area..LOL...never ending is it??

Take care

Tammy,

It does get better in baby steps!  I am 13 weeks out and really just had my first weekend with little swelling.  My back is the first thing that swells and stays swollen.  If you think about it, you spend a lot of time sitting or laying down at the moment, so the fluid is pooling down to your back.  The lumpiness starts to go away too, but it takes a lot of patience!! 

Yeah! I also noticed my stage 2 garment has extra compression in the flanks which is pushing the swelling into the lower back area..Need to figure out a good way to compress both areas now :-)

Hi Tammy...What brand is your stage 2 compression garment?  Did you purchase two? Thanks

They are the Veronique brand (same as Dr S gives us but without zippers). I got them from the makemeheal.com site. They are expensive but will give you 5% off all purchases and free shipping on garments.

Swelling from lipo can be as bad as swelling from just PS without lipo.  My lymphatic massage therapist worked on lots of PS patients and she said the ropiness and bumpiness after lipo is normal.  I'm sure it depends on how much lipo was done and what areas were done as well.  I remember when she would massage my back and sides you could almost hear or feel the bumpy areas and she just rubbed and rubbed those areas a little longer until they were gone in a few weeks.  She also used a special ultrasound machine on those areas and applied light pressure.  It felt great and helped a lot those first few days.  She said so many women didn't know that the bumps after lipo were normal and were concerned that something was "wrong".  

Patience is definitely something we all have to have after plastics!!

how soon after surgery/lipo did you start the massage?

I'd check with your surgeon first, but I did mine at about 4 weeks but I could have started at about 2 or 3 weeks.  I just started at 4 weeks because the frustration of the swelling was getting to me so I went in for my complimentary massage that Dr L offers for his patients and got hooked.

Tammy,

Can you tell me what I need to look for when searching for a massage therapist that does lymphatic massage? I have had 3 massages since surgery ( that is one of my regular guilty pleasures) and even just the deep tissue massage has helped keep my swelling down...i just love this site and being able to see pics of others ps work, get and give encouragment etc....It would be fun to plan some type of cruise ( 3-4 days) where we could all meet up and compare notes etc.......Anyway, have a blessed day!!! Lynette

You need to look for someone who is certified in lymphatic massage.  Not everyone who does regular massages have the specialized training for this.  You may ask your surgeons office to see if they know if any.  I know both surgeon's I worked with had one they used.