Question:
7 days post-op (feel great) but my feet are HUGE. Anyone else have this problem?

I had problems all the time with fluid retention prior to surgery. It's been 7 days since surgery, feel great and no other problems except for my very swollen ankles. I am drinking my fluids and sticking to my prescribed full liquid diet and am concerned at to what I can do. Suggestions are welcomed.    — Phyllis W. (posted on September 17, 2003)


September 17, 2003
I had swollen ankles before surgery, They did not go down until about the 2 week mark. I am now 3 months out and I have not had this problem re-occur again. But if it is bothersome I suggest you called your Doctor.
   — jwd430

September 17, 2003
I had swollen ankles before surgery, They did not go down until about the 2 week mark. I am now 3 months out and I have not had this problem re-occur again. But if it is bothersome I suggest you called your Doctor.
   — jwd430

September 17, 2003
This happened to me after giving birth to our third child, as well as having surgery on my left calf for an abcess. Are you putting your feet up as much as possible? Try elevating higher than your heart. This should help.
   — Barbara D.

September 17, 2003
Phyllis I have chronic, sometimes severe edema problems and I am on meds for it. I don't take them every day but I have to minitor my weight every day and check my legs each night. In most cases the sweilling is normal and will pass as noted by the other posters. Some thoughts: Keep your feet up! That was my Doctor's rule. There is a time when you should become concerned and call your doctor. It's normal as long as your feet maintain normal color and seem soft to the touch, however, if they become bright red in the swollen area (like a sunburn), become very hard and hot to the touch - call your doctor.
   — M B.

September 17, 2003
I have a bad leg that often acts like it is hollow and every thing I drink winds up in there. Also when I wake up in the morning my right arm/hand is swollen. I am a little over a month out and I was able to get some diuretics from my doctor... which I do NOT take daily. He also gave me potassium to take with the diuretics. Maybe you are swollen from the IV fluid in the hospital since you are still kind of close to your surgery date. Put your feet up and pray for the best... I will pray too. Maybe later on if you still have the edema problems you will need meds for them... but I think it is too soon for that right now. My doctor also checked my labs before he gave me diuretics. If it gets too bad... call the doctor! God Bless!
   — Eleanore Davis

September 17, 2003
Keep you feet up as much as possible!
   — gina L.

September 17, 2003
mine were so swolen post op, I could barely fit in my brother's size 13 shoes. I went barefoot as much as possible. Fluid retention is normal. I would just suggest soaking your feet in tepid or cool water w/ epsoms salt dissolved it it. Also, keep your feet propped up. If soaking them aren't an option, then put cool almost cold water in ziploc bags and lay on your feet/ankles/legs. It did wonders for mine. It took about 2 weeks for all the swelling to go down. It's usualy just water retention, and if becomes a problem, contact your doc. He/she most likely will proscribe lasics for a few days to bring it down. Good luck and God bless!! out 19 weeks, down 70 lbs.
   — mellyhudel

September 17, 2003
From one who has been the victim of swollen feet and ankles and have been to physical therapy for lymphedema-- yes, keep the feet elevated. Also, while they are elevated, try spelling the alphabet with your feet. Also, pump your ankles like paddles and swish them back and forth like windshield wipers. This does help in getting the fluid moving out of the ankles and feet. Drink liquid to flush the fluid build-up out of your body. Good luck.
   — Susan R.

September 18, 2003
If you like lemon, try squeezing a little fresh lemon juice in your water. It naturally gets rid of excess water in your system.
   — Dianne W.




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