WHY?????????

Why does the swelling come and go.

I was so swollen right after surgery......It went way down...........I was thrilled.
Now I'm more swollen again but not as bad as in the beginning.

What's up with this....
Maybe I'm doing too much around the house, maybe I'm not drinking enough water or is this just what happens for the next few months???

ARGH!
Ok, thanks for letting me vent....feel better already.

I know how you feel!!!  I have been much more swollen the past few days and I know it's because I've been running errands (Christmas shopping) and baking!!!  I've been trying really hard to get all my water in so the only thing I can think of is that it's because I'm doing more.  How long is this swelling suppose to last???  I can still wear my size 8's and I can't imagine that I will ever be in a size 6 so I don't really think my size is going to change when the swelling goes down.... but I hate this puffiness!!!!!

I suspect it's because I'm on my feet most of the day.....house chores, shopping, cooking...etc.
UGH I know the swelling can last up to a year.  I've never had bad swelling issues...this is the first surgery to hit me with so much swelling.  Also, the little bit of swelling I did have after the Tummy Tuck lasted only a couple of weeks and once it went down it was gone.....not so this time.  

About 10 days ago I not only could wear my pre-surgery size 8 jeans but they were loose and I knew I could comfortable get into size 6 which for me is beyond my original goal/dream.  Right now I can get into the size 8 but they are no longer loose around the belly/butt/waist.    I am sure it will go down again and I am fairly confident that in the end I will get into those size 6 jeans and they will be comfy. 

It's just such an annoyance..even though I know swelling is normal it is still annoying!!!! 

Best wishes to you.........I hope your puffiness diminishes quickly.
TTFN
Ruth

I am right there with ya girlie! Lots of my swelling has subsided (for now) with exception to my back. Wow..it is still way swollen at least out by an inch....

Hey sweetie.....
Although misery loves company  I sure do hope your swelling doesn't come back for you...I hope you are one of the lucky ones.

I've got 2 errands to run today but after that I think I'll stay in bed this afternoon and see if that helps. 

TTFN
Ruth

I know you know that swelling is totally normal.  And yes it CAN last up to a year.  There was a lady who said that hers completely subsided around 18 months.  It's just our bodies way of healing.  I've said it so many times I'm tired of typing it... I'm 6 months out and I'm pretty swollen tonight.  I have been on my feet nonstop. I just try not to dwell on it and let it go.  I obviously can't control it and it drives me totally crazy.  So many women on here talk about how little swelling they have or how short lived it is for them and yet there doesn't seem to be much I can do to make it go away.  I've done every possible thing I can think of to no avail.  Well I'm sure it's helping but it's just not gone completely.  It's better but not gone.  The thought of having more surgery next month and starting all over with more swelling is depressing.  But, it is what it is.  My dr just tells me to give it time.  I just keep telling myself that I have to give myself a year to see my final results. After all, it can only get better, right?

Now thanks for letting ME vent!  LOL

Hi Melissa,
You are right.....I know it's normal and expected....I guess I was just so hopeful since so much of the swelling went down and now wham a lot of it is back (not all but still a lot).

I too want to have my last procedure done in early Feb but don't want to do it if I'm still very swollen...I'll have to wait and see.

Anyhow.......thanks for the good reminder.
Here's to better/less swollen days!!!

TTFN!!!

Hey there! First things first, I am the company for your misery! My legs looked like tree trunks last night. I had been back to the gym for a few days, and then on my feet for about 5 straight hours yesterday, and I was horrified at my legs!!!! ARGH!!! I do have swelling left in my mons/belly, and in my back, but the legs were horrifying. I guess it went south with gravity. That's what the doc says happens.

Anyway, for me, the worst part is the number on the scale. I'm technically up two pounds from the day I had surgery. Not horrible, right? Wrong. I only had about 2 lbs of skin removed, but I also have about 5 lbs removed with lipo. In theory, if I maintained, I should weigh about 10 lbs less. WIthout the exercise and with the bad eating for 6 weeks though, I know I gained a few. But now I can't distinguish between swelling weight and fat! I can't rely on my clothes either, because I have swelling in my back and my stuff was moved around. This is very tough for a type A like myself. I need facts and control!

I am so with you on the Type A personality and needing the facts/control.

FYI - Yesterday I put a second (smaller) compression garment on AND TED's stockings on my calfs that look more like tree trunks than legs.  I have large calfs to begin with but this is ridiculous!!!!   I also am back to taking Bromelain and Arnica Montana faithfully yesterday and today....I want to see it helps again.  Anyhow, i feel a some relief this morning from the overwhelming swelling.  I'm going to try and stay all "bound" up today and will check the swelling tomorrow morning....I hope it is down.  I have no company coming today so it's a good day for me to relax and try to get the swelling under control.  Next Monday and Tuesday I'll be baking all day........getting ready for my company coming for the New Year and I'm going to deliver boxes of baked goodies to all my neighbors (the ones in my circle) so I'm trying to get some swelling down before then.  Oh well I guess I can't worry about it too much.....it is what it is. 

LOL about not distinguishing between weight gain and swelling because "your stuff was moved around".  I still can't used to having a "bootie bump"....I keep backing into it!!!!  It doesn't hurt because it's all numb still but I bounce off the wall!!!!!   LOL.

I gave up on trying to figure out the weight thing.  As a matter of fact I have not weighed myself since I got home from surgery a little more than 3 weeks ago.  I'll get on the scale in another week or two.  I can just tell I must be up at least 10 lbs with all the swelling and I don't want to see that number. 

I hope your swelling goes down soon....try not to over do it.