Patient Diary: Lipsuction 2
LIPOSUCTION OF THE THIGHS – A PERSONAL ACCOUNT
DAY 2
I am beginning to feel some discomfort around my thighs, and I keep this under control with Tylenol Extra Strength. I continue to drain, as I was told I would, and coping with the dressings is a bit of a hassle.
I am back at work and manage a full day at the office without too much discomfort. The worst thing is having to get up and down from my chair. It is a challenge to find something large enough to wear to camouflage the bulky dressings; however, no one seems to notice my padded shape.
I do feel flushed throughout the day, as I have a bit of a fever. Dr. Groot had told me to expect this because of the prostaglandin, which was released during the procedure. I don’t feel ill, just flushed.
I went for a 50-minute walk.
DAY 3
I am pretty sore today – worse than yesterday. Getting in and out of my chair is even more of a challenge and to be honest getting on and off the toilet is very uncomfortable. I feel like someone beat me around my thighs with a rubber hose. The Tylenol Extra Strength helps. I am also a bit tired today, because I woke up early as the side I was sleeping on was sore. However, it is all quite manageable and I feel no need to stay at home. Dr. Groot had warned me that I would be sore for a few days.
The dripping has slowed down, and I can now use the thinner pads under the girdle so I no longer feel like the “Michelin Man”. The other good news is that every time I look in the mirror, I am so very happy with my new figure.
DAY 4
I feel very tired today. I think that maybe I should have been more diligent about resting in the evenings when I got home from work. Instead, I had meetings which I attended. When I have liposuction on my abdomen (which I will for sure) I will plan to set aside some time in the day or evening to rest. I did, however, manage a 40-minute walk and some light upper body exercises today.
I am still sore, but not as bad as yesterday. The leakage has stopped from all but two spots, which I keep covered with dressing and tape.
DAY 5
It is the weekend, so I took the advantage of the opportunity to rest. I slept in today and intend on going to bed very early tonight.
The bruising is starting to fade, and the swelling has gone down a lot. Dr. Groot said the swelling would come and go for a while. The results are looking even better.
The discomfort is much less, and I am no longer taking Tylenol Extra Strength; however, I am cautious not to sit on a chair or the toilet too quickly.
There is a tiny bit of leakage from one incision, which I cover with a thin pad. I am still wearing the girdle-like garment. Dr. Groot said it was not essential, but advises wearing it until all the swelling has subsided. I did, however, take a break from it last night while I was watching a movie; but I was back into it by bedtime. I expect that I will be free from it by the end of the week.
DAY 6
I feel much more rested today, the discomfort is much less, and I think the swelling is down. I love the look of my thighs, and the nice contour of my bottom.
I had a good workout today, and I am feeling very energetic. I did not run, instead I rode the stationary bike for 40 minutes. I showed off my new look to a friend, and she was impressed.
DAY 7
Dr. Groot took a look at me today, and said that things were coming along well. He noted that I was a bit more swollen than expected, and asked me if I had been over enthusiastic about my exercise. I admitted that I might have been, and he suggested that I stick to walking for another couple of weeks.
Although I had no signs of it, he also told me that due to the swelling I might be a bit lumpy and tethered for a while. He assured me that this is common, and if it does occur he suggested that I massage my thighs in about six weeks’ time to encourage the smoothing process.
The skin over my thighs is a bit numb. I can feel something when I touch it but the sensation is altered. I guess the best way of describing it is that the sensation is dull – less acute. Dr. Groot said that this may last for some time, and is to be expected.
