Help! Thigh Lift Surgery Question

I had a thigh lift - circumferential surgery on Wednesday.  I went from the surgery center to a recovery center (a hotel with a doctor).  They put a long girdle compression garment on me.  The Dr. at the recovery center ended up cutting off the bottoms of the legs so she could put pads up the legs easier.  She also cut the crotch bigger for the same reason.  I went to see the surgeon this morning & they changed my dressings & also put a new girdle on me.  They recommended me not cutting the garment as it would effect the compression. 

Please forgive me if I ramble as I am emotionally drained & very uncomfortable.  The girdle is very tight, uncomfortably so across the top of my thighs, across the incision, especially when I sit.  So much so that I have no relief.  They also did not zip up the girdle all the way as it was cutting into my waist & they said it was ok not to zip it up completely.  The nurse at the surgeons office today told me if I was too uncomfortable I could put on a pair of tight biker shorts.  I have those & I told her they were not as tight as the girdle, but she said it would still compress my legs, so it would be ok. 

I'm so uncomfortable I'm considering putting on the shorts.  I thought about putting pads along the incision & wrap an ACE bandage up my thighs.  I just do not want to hurt my healing or progress at all.  I'm also worried that the ACE bandages will expand & stretch & won't offer that much support.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? 

This is my 2nd plastic surgery, had my panniculectomy, tummy tuck, BA/BL in April.  They removed 15 pounds of excess skin then & 10 pounds this last procedure.  It is all part of my journey & I should be so relieved right now but am so uncomfortable & emotional it's difficult to be positive.  I appreciate any feedback.  Thank you.

I'm no doctor so this is only a suggestion based on what I've learned...I'd get that garment off ASAP!  Obviously, when your doctor saw it was tight, he cut it so could that be an option for you?  

The main reason I recommend removing it is because it is not only cutting off your circulation, it is compressing your lymph system and that is something you never want to compromise, it's already been compromised with thigh lift surgery.  Lymph fluid has to be able to flow and it is not uncommon for a thigh lift to affect that.

When I had my thigh lift, my doctor said he doesn't use compression garments with a thigh lift because they cause more wound separations than they are worth and that  the thighs would swell whether I had it on or not, it's just the nature of a thigh lift.

I hope you get some relief soon,

Mary   

I had a thigh lift a few months ago and per the surgeon wore a compression garment for the first 5 days. I went back to work 3 weeks later and decided to wear it the first two weeks to keep the swelling down.  Haven't worn it since.  Take care.

I'm not a doctor and don't think we should do anything without our surgeons knowledge, but when I had thigh lift and lbl in October, he didn't have me use ANY compression on my legs. I did have a garment on my torso, but he also doesn't like those too tight.

I've read so many different things PSs do regarding compression/no compression, and we all seem to come out OK. If they said the bike shorts would be fine, I'd go for it. You're just too uncomfortable right after surgery, so do what you can to make yourself feel better. It will actually help you heal faster if your not suffering. Hang in there hon, it's gets better soon.

I also had a full thigh lift and my doctor never had me wear a compression garment. I slept with my legs elevated above my heart every night and up very high when sitting. It kept the swelling down just by keeping them elevated when resting. I never had any issues with my incisions opening or any complication at all. I also am not a doctor, but if I were you, I would take them off. They sound like they are doing more damage then good. Like someone else said, you don't want to mess with your lymphatic system. I will keep you in my prayers. Best to you. God bless.

Thank you all for your comments.  I did end up taking off the girdle and placing surgical pads along the incisions & then wrapping my legs with ACE wrap, followed by my biker shorts.  I went yesterday to the surgeons office & they removed 2 of the 4 drains & said the shorts were fine, that when the swelling went down I may be able to put the girdle back on.  I did a lot of moving yesterday, more than I had done in a week, a lot of getting in & out of the car, then at night when I went to bed I had propped my legs up on a pillow & 5 minutes later remembered I left my pain pills in the other room.  Got up & when I returned I noticed blood on my pillow & saw I had soaked through one of the ACE bandages around my knee.  I had blood seeping out between two staples & it would not stop bleeding for 45 minutes.  Obviously it wasn't gushing, but it just wouldn't stop.  It was scary & it was late & I didn't want to bother anyone (and yes, I would kill any of my friends had it been happening to them & they didn't call me) so I just kept putting pressure on it.  Finally it slowed & stopped, but it was a rough end to the day.  I was just surprised it hadn't done it during the day when I was moving so much.  Will be taking it very easy today, just want to get this phase over with.  Thanks again for all of your help.