Swelling after Inner Thighs

(deactivated member)
on 4/5/10 2:20 am - West Central FL☼RIDA , FL
Has anyone had bad swelling in the calfs and ankles after their inner thigh surgery?
Holy smokes......
Around post-op day 5 my legs started to really swell up big time...mostly around the knees and calfs.  On Friday it seemed a little better....the skin did not feel as "tight" and on Saturday the upper legs were visibly less swollen.....the knees and calfs a little bit less too but still swollen.  On Sunday morning  (yesterday) the legs, knees, calfs all felt so much better. 
I cooked a big Sunday breakfast and then sat on the couch (feet on the floor) for about 3 hours.......  I finally decided to get changed (out of my pj's) and was shocked when I saw my calfs....MAN they blew up...right where the compression garment ends, about 5 inches below my knees, my calfs bulged out.   I tried to stay off my feet most of the late afternoon/evening but the swelling didn't go down.

This morning....my calfs and ankles are HUGE!!!!   I just put "TED" hose on hoping the compression around the ankles will help.  My upper thighs are still less swollen, it's all low in the leg....I have never experienced anything like this before.  Maybe I need a compression garment that goes down to my ankles....hmmmmm

Has anyone had bad swelling in the calfs and ankles after their inner thigh surgery?  I'm sure it's "normal" and I see my surgeon tomorrow but I'm just curious if this happened to anyone else and if they found something to help.  Right now I'm sitting on the bed with the legs elevated so they are higher than my heart and some ice on the calfs........I'll try almost anything.

I keep telling myself, this too shall pass, this too shall pass......
purpletb
on 4/5/10 2:44 am

no I haven't had any swelling in my legs at all. I'm kind of surprised because I was expecting it.  However, I'm having problems with areas opening up and the open areas leak fluid constantly.  I'm guessing that's why I'm not swelling.  Just went to the doc this morning and had to get 3 stitches in another area at the top of my thigh.  The other areas that have been re-stitched during the last couple of weeks are holding and finally appear to be trying to start healing.
I say definitely keep your feet up as much as possible.  My  lower arms, wrists, hands and fingers were swollen th e way you describe your legs during that first week but they went down after a few days.  I was wearing the wraps and the arm compression and my circulation was getting cut off. 

(deactivated member)
on 4/5/10 2:53 am - West Central FL☼RIDA , FL
I've had no swelling with my arms/hands.

This is the first time I had no drains after surgery and I'm wondering if that's why the swelling in my legs is more than I normally have.

Thank goodness my stitches are all holding!  I think I'll take some swelling in the calfs/ankles over open stitches.  I hope you heal quickly!!!!

Feel good.
purpletb
on 4/5/10 2:57 am
oh yes, I did have a drain in each leg for about 10 days, how could I forget those pesky little things.  Yes, the swelling is definitely better than open stitches. 

watch your sodiu!sm intake, drink lots of water and keep those feet up
(deactivated member)
on 4/5/10 3:35 am - West Central FL☼RIDA , FL
OT-
I love the avatar picture...is that your dog?  Looks like a Schnauzer....I have a black Schnauzer...my baby....
purpletb
on 4/5/10 3:48 am
yes that's my baby "Roland", he is a Schnauzer mix.  He doesn't know he's a dog.....he really thinks he's human.  You should hear him talking!
speicallady
on 4/5/10 3:57 am - bronx, NY
Ruth
I was thinking about emailing you and asking the same question.
my arms and back was done, but my stomach is swollen, so I started to wear the compression garment on my stomach this weekend.

but I when back to work today  and put the compression garment on my arms and back,  but not  on my stomach and my stomach is swollen again. my question is when the swelling  go down, will my stomach go back to begin flat again.

I cant no stand this compression garment on my back, and arm, the stomach will be to much

thanks

Debra
(deactivated member)
on 4/5/10 4:27 am - West Central FL☼RIDA , FL
Hi!
I know on the very rare times I did not wear my compression garment after my TT my tummy got puffy.  I never had any real swelling after my TT....I believe because I wore the garment (I actually wore the garment 24x7 and the binder on top during the day). 
Activity is what makes the swelling worse so by the end of the day we are normally more swollen than when we wake up.

So far as the Tummy flattening out again...... it will go down, will go completely flat, I don't know.  The thing that always confuses m most is that swelling is stretching the skin, just like our fat did so can if we swell every day does it stretch the skin more than if we did not let it swell??? I don't know the medical answer but I personally believe we do re-stretch it a little bit that is why I chose to tough it out and wear the garment.  My Tummy is flat as a board.

FYI - I am going to my surgeon tomorrow and I am going to ask this swelling/stretching question.  I'll let you know what I learn.

Hope you find some relieve soon.
wen
on 4/5/10 5:03 am - Manchester, NH
OMG!  Seriously I was coming on here to ask the same question.  I am on day 9 and STILL HUGE!  It seemed to kick in about day 5 and I am wearing my "big girl pants" ...nothing fits.  I am kinda miserable.  I was prepared for the pain that I have heard comes with this surgery..I really lucked out and was not in a lot of pain..(had it all the way down to the knee!)  but the Swelling...holy geezus.   And yes..my calves and ankles are huge...the sides of both my knees are like huge knots.


I am so glad I have a place to say this because I can't really whine to my friends about it!
(deactivated member)
on 4/5/10 6:21 am - West Central FL☼RIDA , FL
OMG We do sound like twins.  It's exactly the same for me.  None of the pain I was expecting.  About day 5 I blew up....now my upper legs are smaller but the lower ones since yesterday is crazy.

Are you on your legs much?  I'm trying to just lay in bed today with my legs up hoping it will help.
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