Fluid in leg after TUG Recon - Advice please

I had a mx with an immediate TUG recon four weeks ago, my leg has started to gradually fill with fluid which is now becoming quite painful. Although my BC nurses has said this is normal as it is like a hot water bottle and not hard, (otherwise that would be infected), I’m not to worry about it.
I am wearing the beautiful girdle which was provided to me and on the days I’m not I am wearing tight cycling shorts, which is supposed evened use this.
I am only doing the school run twice a day which is about 20 doors away from me, so I’m not walking far at all.
I was wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation and if so how long does this last, did you have it drained off and will it ever stop filling up.
I am actually starting to worry that it might ‘pop’ open my newly healed scar.

Thanks for reading
Toni
x

Bumping into latest posts for Toni

Thanks for bumping thiis Lucy.

Hi Tonit3,
I’m sorry i cant be much help, as my TUG followed yours, and your first post helped me feel more comfortable about my decision just prior to surgery. My thigh has a bit of a lump which the BCN thought was the beginnings of a seroma. is that what your fluid is, or is your whole leg swollen? Did the nurse say how long it was likely to last? Hot water bottle thigh doesn’t sound great! Is it a build up of lymph fluid? Has anyone suggested that massage or physio might help?
I’m wearing compression shorts as I couldnt find cycling shorts without the seat padding and didn’t want to walk around like John Wayne, but don’t know about the fabulous girdle. What’s it for? I think he had one of those too.
I’ve been walking about, as no-one told me not to, and i’ve had too much muscle wastage over the past 9 months, but this is quite limited by tiredness.
I think if your thigh wound was going to be compromised, the clinic would have suggested something. I do understand your fear. It’s such a vulnerable place to have been stretched and stitched. I was frightened to go to the loo after my op and i’m fighting the temptation hard to bend down and pick out weeds in the garden.
I hope your leg improves soon. Console yourself with the fact that eventually you may have a sveldt thigh! I live in hope. How’s the breast? I call mine Thighadora.

Hi Ad Astra

Nice to hear from you, I was wondering how your surgery went. You sound really positive, which is lovely to read!
I have taken a step back a bit. I think its because Ive been told to not walk far an still rest, the opposite to what I had been doing, (I’m week 5 tomorrow). I know it all takes time.
I have been told it is just ‘fluid’, it is the whole of my inner thigh and creeping round to my bottom, (makes it look pert now though)! The skin above my scar (inner thigh) is now a lovely red/purple colour, tender and lumpy, (I am getting it checked again next Tuesday). No one has suggested anything except to wear this girdle which are compression shorts, but crutchless. Even though I do wear underwear over the top, I am limited to where I can go as I need to wee through a ‘she wee’!! Nice aye?!

Where did you get your compression shorts from in the end? How long have you been advised to wear them and do you also wear them in bed?
Sorry for the questions, but my BC nurses are giving me conflicting info.

My boob is healing slow, the tug is absolutely fine, I am sooo pleased with it and my boob shape! The skin around the tug is not so great, scabbed, healing slowly, but getting there.

Hows yours? Are you pleased with the outcome? Love the name, Thighadora!

Take care
Toni

Hi Tonit3,
I’ve just responded to your rads post and will keep you posted!
Having traipsed from one end of oxford St to the other for cycling shorts, i found the compression shorts in 5 mins on Amazon when i got home. I’m not sure how effective they are yet. I do wear them in bed, although BCN told me to take them off at night if they stop me sleeping. (Had a bit of restless leg syndrome- feels as if its coming round from feeling dead-unnerving!) I wouldn’t like the idea of peeing through a knicker hole either, unless i could grow a penis. No doubt the plastic surgeon could oblige. However i guess they give you better and more permanent support, which must be good.
I will ask at the hospital tomorrow about how much walking I should be doing. Had a bit of a sprint to the GP today to get my overdue cert for work.
As i said in the other post, I’ve got one breast taking the high rd and the other taking the low road, which does look odd. will decide what to do later. Glad you’re happy with your shape and hope scabs heal soon.

Hi ad astra

Sprint, wow, you are doing well! I feel I can walk a long way, the BC nurses just said I shouldn’t. I do take the compression girdle or cycling shorts off at night, as I am not on the move and like to think its better for my leg to get some air which we all know is good for healing.

I hope you got on ok at the hospital today!

Take care
Toni