Question:
6 Days Post Op, Edema.. anyone else?

I'm 6 days post op, and swelling up alot in ankles and lower legs (not before surgery). I wasn't drinking 64oz days 3 and 4 so on day 5 I increased (due to constipation, too) my liquids via broth, ice pops and more water. Today, day, I'm still swollen, yesterday I did have success with the big BM after 2 doses of MOM 18 hours apart. Any suggestions/ideas/tips on swelling? Continue with more liquids? More protein (I read that in library, but not sure how true that is)? Any help is, of course, greatly appreciated.    — msmaryk (posted on March 23, 2003)

March 23, 2003
Hi Mary, I read your Q&A post today about swelling. I have the same problem . Sorry I don't have a answer. I've never had problems with swelling in my feet, ankles or legs before surgery. Now I do everyday. I've been to the primary dr, and my surgeon. 3 times with the same problem. But have come back with no answer to what I need to do. At first my primary dr wouldn't give me no water pills because of the size of my new stomach and how it absorbs things. He said elevate them. I must say it did help alittle. and at night they go down. but come daytime they will swell again. also sitting to long in one place is not good. The third time I complained he did give me a small doseage of water pills, and said not to take them everyday, only as needed. I do, but they still swell. They look like ham hocks, large ones. lol take care
   — Naes Wls J.

March 23, 2003
<UL><LI>The docs usually suggest a low-sodium diet and that includes the broth. Most canned broth is loaded with salt, so make sure it says on the label "Low sodium". Also keep in mind that anything canned is likely to have high sodium unless otherwise labeled.<LI>You'll also want to elevate your feet when you can since gravity will cause alot of swelling in your feet and ankles too.<LI>One other thing is to increase your fluid intake, big time. The swelling can be caused from too little fluids in your diet and your body's way of holding onto as much of the fluid it gets as possible.</UL> Just some suggestions... Lap-RNY 1/13/03 -83lbs & Counting!
   — thumpiez

March 23, 2003
Mary, give it some time. I came home with 15 extra pounds of fluid and felt like my skin was 2 sizes too small. It was mostly in my feet up to about mid thigh, but it did go away after awhile. I had one pair of shoes that were so tight that I stretched them and had to through them away, because they were so loose after the fluid went away. Just watch the sodium in the broth, and give it time. You are doing the right thing to get in as much water as you can. Walking will help get rid of the fluid, too, as the movement of your leg muscles help move the fluid out of the tissues.
   — koogy

March 23, 2003
Mary, I'm having the same problems with swelling in my lower legs and ankles after my thigh lift. One thing that realy helped me is now during the day I keep on my anti-emobolism stockings or a good pair of support hose and I keep them elevated when sitting. I try not to sit or stand too long and every fourty-five minutes or so I try to remember to get up and walk or do something. You should still continue with your liquids. Other than that, time will help.
   — Lisa N M.

March 23, 2003
Original poster here...thanks to all. Because of you, I've figured out my problem. Home made broth (2 cups in one day). I made the broth pre-op with a kosher chicken (extra salty)...no wonder I kept saying "oh, this broth is sooo good and salty!" DUH! Thanks, everyone!
   — msmaryk

August 18, 2009
I am also 6 days post op and i too have edma on my feet i dont know if i should be worried about it or no i go to my surgeon today... marcella
   — PoohGal_73