How to reduce swelling after lipo.?

Question

My wifes legs are still swollen 4 months after Lipo. is this normal and are there any ways to assist in reduction of swelling and lessen minor pain. Ibuprofen and normal pain pills dont help at all. all answers will be helpful.

Answer 1

This doesn't sound normal. I would recommend getting in touch with the surgeon to see what they say and ask if it's ok to apply an ice pack to the area. Putting ice on the area if it's ok to do can sometimes help reduce swelling.

Answer 2

Greetings Scott, That's not normal to have swelling that long. Part of the problem with surgeries is that doctors don't tell you all the things that can go wrong. Unfortunately when they do lipo, they make incisions and depending how many and where they make them,and I'm assuming she had abdominal work done since the legs are affected now, it could be they cut in the iliac or inguinal nodes. If they did, she now probably has lymphedema as a result if not a blood clot. She needs to go back to the doctor.

I have members of my support group for lymphedema that have gotton it from lipo, they also had no clue you could get something like that from lipo as much of the info you read is cancer related lymphedema or hereditary.

You can read more about lymphedema at my website, lymphland.com and there is a button to join my support group on the site as well. If she has lymphedema, she needs treatment asap as it is a progressive condition with no cure, only management and the sooner she is treated the better she will fare.

Tina