Question:
Fluid retention in lower legs

I retain a lot of fluid in my lower legs. I take a daily fluid pill but doesn't help much now. My right leg is much larger and looks like something out of a freak show..UGH!! I will be having RNY soon and the condition of my legs going into surgery concerns me. Anyone else have this problem and has had WLS..any complications etc???    — Kathleen F. (posted on March 31, 2009)

March 31, 2009
You should probably get that checked ASAP. Could be lymphedema or cellulitis, both potentially serious conditions. Please do get checked, then let us know what you find out! I'll say a prayer for you.
   — Marcie F.

March 31, 2009
I'd assume you are under a doctor's care for you fluid retention, as you note a daily fluid pill. My RNY surgeon had me stop a fluid pill I was taking as part of my high bp meds, to avoid dehydration after surgery. I experienced foot and ankle swelling for years prior to my surgery. After 2 weeks post op from RNY, no more swelling issues at all. DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

March 31, 2009
Definitely call your doctor and have it checked out asap. One leg being larger than the other is very disconcerting to me and could be many things such as the previous author stated as well as blood clots. All are serious. Might not be anything that serious- let's hope so- but let the doc make that determination ok? Best of luck. You want to go into surgery in the best shape so get it taken care of now. Dawn Vickers
   — DawnVic

March 31, 2009
I had fluid retention in my lower legs/ankles area but both legs were the same. Since WLS (2 years)fluid retention is way down. It only happens if I don't get up and move around. Don't assume yours is the same. Like the previous writers I'd advise you to call your doctor.
   — Muggs

April 1, 2009
My legs were chronically swollen for years...You need to get yours checked out though as everyone suggested...but I did want to say that after surgery my chronic swelling stopped after a few weeks and several pounds lost. They rarely swell anymore...I have noticed that when I am travelling in the car on long trips or eat salty foods (canned soups, chinese, restaurant foods, gravies....etc) I will sometimes get a little swelling in my hands, feet and ankles...It's so rare now and when I do eat something that might be high sodium I power-drink water that day or the next (if it's late) on purpose to dilute and wash out that salt! It helps! The water pills didn't help me either and are really bad for your kidneys so I hear...Hopefully surgery will resolve this problem for you as well...but do see a doc in the meantime and get that looked at! OH...and swimming pool exercise helps SOOOO much especially being in deep water helps put pressure on the legs and helps with circulation! I did a lot of "treading water" in the deep end and I finally noticed I do have ankles and not just "cankles" (calf-ankles) Water was and is still my favorite place to work out and is so theraputic in so many ways as well as helps people who have back and joint pain/problems like I did back then! Good luck and please do see a doc now!
   — .Anita R.

April 1, 2009
I also suffer from this in one leg only and it drives me crazy. I've had it exrayed and examined on many occasions and they keep telling me there is nothing to worry about. I also have severe pain running down it and been told three different stories as to what is causing the pain. I'm also on a water pill that doesn't seem to be doing anything and I'm six days out from have the lap-band procedure done. But I do agree with the others you should have a specialist make sure that this isn't a blood clot or something else serious. Good Luck to You! Clarice L. Shaw
   — Clarice Shaw