Swelling: Medial Thigh Lift

I had a Tummy Tuck and a Medial Thigh Lift on 12/13.  The Tummy Tuck was no problem but the thigh lift is REALLY getting to me.  I have a lot of swelling and the incision line in the back of my upper thigh is very tender.  I went to the surgeon last week and he put me in a compression garment to assist with the swelling but it is driving me insane. The compression garment has an "opening" where you don't have to remove it to use the restroom.  My skin is getting really irritated around the opening because of the swelling.  I have tried putting padding around the opening but it's not helping.  Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, I know everyone is different, but how long does the swelling last?  I feel like I'm whining and being a baby about the whole thing....but I return to work on Monday and I'm not sure what I'm going to do....especially if I'm this uncomfortable at home.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advice! :)

Does your garment zip up the sides? Mine had the opening in the crotch as well but I only really used it for peeing the first 3 days or so. After that I wanted something on my skin to buffer that opening because of it rubbing on my incisions in my groin. I wore a pair of soft exercise shorts under mine and when I needed to use the bathroom I was able to just unzip one side and my garment came off with ease.

Yes, it is the one that zips on the sides.  So you wore the shorts under the compression garment?  I just called the surgeon's office and they said I could wear bike shorts instead but I want to make sure I have enough "support"....I'm just scared I'm going to mess up the healing process. 

Yes, I wore them under the garment. They were just soft exercise type shorts, not the compression type like under armor. I just loved having that soft cushion on before I put the garment on over top. That way I still got the compression without it digging and rubbing on my groin area.

Thanks Renee, I'll have to try that!  I just need a "buffer" as my skin/incisions are getting really irritated.  Now....hopefully the compression garmet will still fit while wearing something underneath....LOL.     

How long did your swelling last? 

I didn't have much swelling with my thigh lift. I would say by 3 weeks out they were normal but I continued to wear compression for about 3 months. I moved out of the compression garment that my surgeon gave me to a Flexees type that I bought at Kohl's. It was way more comfortable.

Just had mine done on 11/4, the thighs are HORRIBLE! I taped long peices of gauze over the incisions and then pulled up the garment so it sat on the gauze, that seemed to help. Just lay on the couch naked with your feet up...LOL that is the only thing that didn't annoy me! Taking ibuprofin 3x day, 600mg a time helped huge! Good luck, I am now just finally healed up and feeling normal...uhhh!

Thanks....I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks the thighs are horrible!!  If it weren't for the thighs...my surgery would have been a peice of cake!!  I tried using guaze but it didn't help.  I like the compression to keep down the swelling and have thought about just wearing a "normal" foundation garment (like flexees) instead of the compression garment that I got from the surgeon.  The one the surgeon gave me is starting to really irritate my incisions.  Oh, well....it'll be worth it in the end (I hope)!!  

It's back to work Monday so that will be the true test....so I guess that means the option of laying on the couch naked will be out too!! LOL  I wish I could take motrin.....I had RNY so I can't take it....and there are no words to express how much I miss my motrin! Ugghh....

I had the garment with the zippers up the side and my doc said he didn't like that one and gave me one that is just a pull on, goes up your back and has "bra" straps, this worked MUCH better and way more comfortable. Try one of those. I think the brand was Marena, but here is the number off the garment. 888/462-7362. I think F5 is model,  marenagroup.com. Hope this helps.

Hey there we are almost surgery twins!!!  I had my TT and medial thigh lift on 12/14!!  The tummy is awesome but my left thigh was a challenge.  It started swelling about 2 hrs out of recovery.  They applied pressure to stop the bleeding.  I lost so much blood I had to have a transfusion.  Not fun.  But the compression garmet is very uncomfortable no matter what i wear under or over it!!  That thing sucks!!!  I know I have to wear it for the best results but it's a pain.  I use gauze and sanitary pads for cushion.  I also have a female urinal it helps to not have to sit on the toilet everytime i have to P.  Toilet seat riser helps too.I'm still swollen.  I had a hemotoma and a seroma in that left leg so it's going to be awhile before my swelling goes down, my surgeon thinks maybe 3 or 4 more weeks. I'm taking 6 or 7 weeks off work...if you can try to get another week off.  Hope this helps.
Good luck
Rox