Post operative advice

Hi Jan! Welcome aboard this wonderful hippie forum!I had these stockings on for 6 weeks! Its a must! Also are you on injection s or tablets for blood thinners?please make sure you have help and sleep on your back! Good luck! Regards Amanda

Yes they are very uncomfortable. Usually it is six weeks from op. And yes your leg will be swollen for a while but the swelling does go down, I measured different parts of my leg when I got home thigh knee etc and every week or so measured again and it does get less.

Also Yu will need help when you take them off for a wash to cream your legs and put them back on, don't try doing it yourself as I did once because it really hurts

Thanks.  I am taking tablet blood thinners. I only had injections for 2 or 3 days in hospital.  My wound is seeping and the dressing has already been changed a couple of times. I will really struggle getting stockings on, on my own and only have help for two weeks!!!  Please tell me this gets easier!! 

Hello welcome to the hippie world. I had to wear my stockings for 6 weeks and my leg was swollen for a few weeks.

Good luck on your recovery.

I am hitting 8 weeks post op on Saturday and dare to say starting to feel great. Just need a complete nights sleep, no pain just uncomfortable.

Hi Jan I am day 11 post op. I never had any stockings issued to me. I asked about them when I was in hospital and was told that as long as I'm mobile and walking as well as doing my exercises I wont need them. I am also on blood thinners and pain relief. I don't know if it is because I am young, 32. But if your Dr said to wear them I would follow his advise. Sorry I know this doesn't help you and I hope you get the better soon.

Mike

Hi Jan

I had to wear them for 6 weeks and also had blood thinning injections.  I was mobile as well. You might get different answers to your question but up to now it seems 6 weeks is the norm.   Horrible things arent they.

Can you not get someone to help you take them on and off {after the 2 weeks help} it doesnt need to be every day and not advisable to do it yourself.....too much bending apart from anything else

Love

Eileen   UK

Hi Jan ... I didn't get the stocking either, so I don;t have an answer for you - My leg was swollen, tight and hot for about 2 weeks - started on the top and moving down, staying around the anke and feet for a couple of days - and then it is gone - it did feel uncomfortable, even my sweat pants hurt touching my skin - bit that was it - just uncomfortable ... what I have learned so far fro being here on this wonderful forum, is that everything is norman and I just have to be very patient - 

Just read what others write and you will feel so much better !! 

I didnt have stockings at all but had to self inject for 28 days with anti coags.

You should try to elevate your leg and use ice..frozen peas are good! It does go down eventually...massage with good body oil or moisurizer will help to ease the tight skin feeling....its worth it in the end...honest!!

I have to wear the stockings for 6 wks and have daily injections. Now almost 4wks have just got used to them. Seems to depend on surgeon and your age and possibly BMI.

I was given aspirin and told to wear stockings for 6 weeks. They lasted 1 week 24 hours a day and a second week at night only and then I had enough and refused to wear them. Just had aspirin and made a point of walking up and down the street and getting up out of chair at least once and hour to do some exercises. I hated them wi a passion and they made me feel like my legs were on fire. With the emotion, the swelling, the pain, the stockings were the least of my issues so had to go. Emma x