Thigh Lift Swelling - When does it subside?

Thigh lift (long incision) veterans:

I'm three weeks out of surgery and went back to work two days ago.  Up until then, I was in bed elevating my legs the majority of the time.  I have a desk job and am trying to put my feet up a bit on a small stool, but by the end of the day I'm miserable because my legs and feel are soooo swollen and I feel like my thighs are going to split open.  I prepared myself for the swelling and discomfort though, so I'm not shocked. 

I know swelling lasts for months or more, but when does it get better to the point of being tolerable or having my feet look like balloons?

Thanks in advance for any input....

Michelle

Hi Michelle,  I'm sorry you're swelling so much.  Are you able to get up and walk around.  I think the circulation can help.  My thighs were done on 12/9.  The drain came out of my left leg several days before my right and I notice that it's always a bit more swollen but neither are to the point of being uncomfortable.  To a stranger, they wouldn't think I was swollen much at all.

I've noticed that my binder is a lot less snug from week three until today.  Tomorrow I'm 4 weeks out.  It gets much better!!  Hang in there.

There are diuretic foods.  I just pulled this off a website but you might like to google it.

For making sure a quick decrease of water weight, involve in your own eating habits diuretic foods. They’re foods full of water like asparagus, pumpkin, cabbage, Brussels seedlings, lettuce or the vegetable tomatoes. Watermelon is another highly effective diuretic. Don’t forget the significance of including physical exercise simply because often you will probably find it hard, or else not possible, to get rid of water weight fast.

Other veggies that come under the group of diuretic foods contain beets , Brussels seedlings, lettuce, peas, artichokes, watercress, and cabbage . Actually, people today trying to remove toxins and lose fat generally diet plan applying cabbage soup. The dishes used by the cabbage coup diet program change, but can lead you to other vegetables listed above. Tomatoes, which are generally regarded as being veggies but they are formally a fruits, have diuretic properties.
 

Thanks, Lee!  My surgery was on Dec. 14, so I'm just a few days behind you.  I had a significant amount of lipo done on my thighs so that might be contributing to the swelling problem.   I am trying to move around, but the activity seems to make the swelling/discomfort worse.  

My doctor prescribed some prescription water pills, which help immediately, but as soon as I start walking around and sitting for long periods, the swelling starts again.

It's good to know you are noticing your swelling subside from week 3 to 4.... hope that's the case for me too.  Consider yourself very fortunate if you haven't had much along the way though. 

Are you able to wear shoes with heels?  I'm going out to dinner Sat. night and would love to wear something other than the unattractive loafers I've been living in! ;)

Michelle

Oh golly, I'm living in Uggs or Dansko shoes.  Can't comment on the heels but then, I don't wear them much even without surgery.

I had two liters of fat lipoed out of my thighs and saddlebags.  The good fat was put into my tush to give it a shape.  I don't understand why I never had the burning or pain after lipo that others talk about.  The only thing that I did was to take a lot of Arnica which helps with bruising.  My legs did have some significant color changes from purple to blue but never really pain unless I bumped into a table or something.

I'm glad the water pills help.  We all heal differently.  I know you'll be feeling better in a few days.

have you tried arnica oil on the skin ?I used it for massage before my PS.

Thanks,
Michelle

 Michelle, I am restricted from anything on my incisions except neosporin until much later.  I took a Loy of homeopathic arnica before surgery and after each procedure.

I bought some calendula cream for post op but half to wait until everything is completely healed first.

 Michelle - sorry to hear that you are having swelling issues.  Not fun for sure!

I didn't have a thigh lift, had an LBL in June and an outer thigh lift/lipo a week and a half ago.  My experience with swelling was that with the first surgery I swelled a lot.  Even after drains were removed.  Couldn't even tell anything until after the two week mark but then it took a long time for the swelling to go down.  Anytime you can, try to elevate your legs when you can.  I think walking around a little every hour couldn't hurt.

This time, with the lipo I'm more swollen in my thighs and much less in the surgical area (hip bone around the back to my other hipbone).  I notice I am much less swollen first thing in the morning but after going to work it just gets more and more.  I hope that you're off during the weekend and can get some relax time!

Gracie150