When can I expect the swelling to go down?

Hi folks,

I am two weeks out from my extended tummy tuck and medial thigh lift. Recovery is going amazingly well. My only complication has been two tears in my groin incisions. The tears are upsetting (and really nasty looking), but not unexpected, given the location of the incisions and the tension on them.

Now that I am feeling better, I am wondering when I can expect to see a reduction in the swelling. My legs are REALLY puffy and by the end of the day, my feet look like Fred Flintstone's. As the day goes on, I feel like a sausage that is going to burst. The compression garments feel like they are cutting off my blood flow!

For those of you who had similar procedures, when did you begin to see a reduction in the swelling?

Don't know about the swelling but it sounds like the compression garments are too tight, at least by the end of the day. It shouldn't be so un comfortable, it should feel good, maybe a bigger size for later in the day? Elevate your legs, and drink lots of water. I'm right there with you with the swelling, not as bad, but I wi**** was over already!

Thanks so much for the reply. I was actually thinking the same thing regarding the compression garments. I was told that I can switch to spanx (or the equivalent) so I bought them in two sizes. I've been sticking with the compression garment for now because they have zippers and are easier to manage with the dressings. It's hard to pull the flexees up and down without pulling the bandages all out of place. I'm definitely doing well with water and am hopeful that I'll start "draining" soon! :)

 You can also take arnica to help promote healing and reduce sweeling, or eat diuretic-y foods like papaya and watermelon. Also try to steer clear of salt.
Hope this helps.

Thanks, Plum. I am definitely trying to steer clear of sodium since that makes me swell even under normal cir****tances. :) Good call on the Arnica- I will definitely check that out.

Hi! I'm worndering if the tears you mentioned are where the horizontal and vertical incisions meet. This morning I noticed openings in that junction in both legs -- kind of like divots with pus inside, although not bloody or oozing ( sorry if tmi) . I'm waiting to hear back from my surgeon, left him a message this morning. What did you need to do about your tears, if anything?

Laura

That's exactly where my tears are- right where the vertical and horizontal incisions meet. What you are describing could be small tears, but mine are unmistakalbe. They look like holes, about 1/2 and inch long.

Same with mine. I sent my surgeon some pix, and he said to use dry dressing and monitor for fever or if they get bigger, he'll do sutures to keep from spreading more, but that this is normal and common. Still, I'm freaking out a bit, as it looks disgusting and to me they're large holes but not oozing. Im spending the day on the sofa. What did your surgeon say?

Interesting. My surgeon was adament that he doesn't re-stitch because it increases the risk of infection. He also told me to use saline soaked gauze to "pack" the openings and then cover it was dry. Isn't it funny how different doctors do things different ways? I guess medicine isn't an exact science. As for freaking out, I COMPLETELY panicked when I first saw that tear, but I'm not as horrified now. It looked so nasty!