Swelling.

Hi Joy it sound like you have already tried rest and Ice. I would go to your local hospital as it could be cellulitis or you are retaining fluid. We do swell after surgery but the skin shouldn't feel tight. X

I think swelling is normal after the op, and mine went down towards my ankles like yours. You're doing the right thing, putting your leg up and putting on a cold pack. I'm slim, and my skin used to feel tight like yours. ( If you are worried though, you could always phone your hospital ward for advice.) Good luck.

If I were you, I would rest, ice and elevate most of the day for a couple of days and see if it improves. You are very early out from your operation and should be resting most of the time anyway. So you could add the elevation and icing and see what happens.

dear joy, 

This is very normal after Hip Surgery.

During surgery tissues have been  cut, handled and pulled around and can make fluid build up in the hours afterwards. This can stay or ebb and flow for days and even a couple of weeks. 

In addition, due to increased blood and lymph flow; healing happens because there is increased circulation bringing plentiful blood cells, plasma and lymph into the area to supply nutrition and oxygen - all needed for the creation of scar and normal tissue.

My operated leg was swollen from top, going down and my ankle remained swollen and tight for 3 weeks ... a scary sight - as if it did not belong to me - I was on Fragmin bloodthinner and as long as I had no fever and no pain, I was told that it was all part of the healing process ...

Just elevate your leg when laying down - 

all is well ---

Happy holiday season

big warm hug

renee