Reducing abdominal swelling?

I am 4 weeks out from an abdominoplasty and this was my first week back working in the office. That adds about an hour of commuting on either end and lots more walking just to get anywhere in our large building. I am trying to keep my walking and lifting restricted but it is just more activity than working at home. By the time I get home, my lower belly is swollen and crampy. I know that swelling can continue for a while, but I'm wondering if there is anything I can do to bring it down and reduce it.

Does a heating pad help or ice packs? I do put my feet up during the day, even here in the office.

I'd appreciate any thoughts and experience.

Are you still wearing compression garments?

Except when I am showering, I am wearing the medical grade compression gear. It definitely helps but my lower belly swells as the day goes on or if I do more than usual.

When I started exercising at 6 weeks post-op from my LBL, my surgeon warned me that the increase in activity would come with an increase in swelling and that I shouldn't be alarmed. Just continue to drink lots and give it time. It seems like you're probably in the same boat!

He was all in favor of my returning to work, but unfortunately being in the office just requires more activity than teleworking at home. I just wish there was something that I could do to reduce the swelling when it happens.

Sure - my surgeon was in favor of me returning to exercise too :) Just wanted to warn me that I'd notice an increase in swelling at the end of the day. I didn't get the impression from him that there was anything to do to change this, that it's just a fact of recovery and would pass. (It did.)

I suppose heating pads could help? But your surgeon might have ideas.

I did check with the nurse at the PS's office and she was concerned that I was overdoing things. She's probably right to some extent. I can make it through the day at home, even with a short errand or two, with 2-3,000 steps. Because I work in a large building, there are just more steps...6,500 on Wednesday and almost 9,000 yesterday and that is without "exercise." I am avoiding the stairs when I can and trying to be thoughtful about no extra steps, but I know it is a shock to my system after 3 weeks at home.

The nurse didn't want me to use the heating pad because I have decreased sensation in my abdomen and she is concerned about burns. She did suggest putting extra padding in my compression gear to increase the pressure.

Fortunately, I am working from home today and have a low key day planned for tomorrow, so I will do alot more resting!

I think you'll find swelling will stick around for a long time. I'm 12 weeks out and still swell a lot throughout the day and my mons area in particular gets so swollen it aches. unfortunately there are no compression garments that will target that area.

Thanks for the info. My abdomen above my belly button and right below are pretty flat. It is my lower abdomen and mons that are particularly swollen and achy. I also had an abdominal hysterectomy in February so it makes sense that that area is traumatized. I guess it will just take time for everything to heal.

Is your compression still fitting tightly?

I bought a spanx that went from underbust to mid thigh. New gear might help.

Are you getting enough protein for healing?