Swollen legs and ankles

Hi there!

I had lipo on my legs and a thigh lift and was rushed to another hospital after the procedure with total heart block and a pulse of 20-30.

My legs and ankles are still really really swollen, despite walking, keeping raised when im sitting down and constant massaging. They feel solid. My lipo surgeon seems to be trying to tell me that his procedure isnt responsible for this, that it might be the pacemaker!! Not sure if he is trying to wriggle out of something here or if it is normal for swollen legs and ankles after being fitted with a pm.

Feel a bit fed up at the moment, went into hospital for lipo to get slimmer legs, one month on have a pm and bigger legs than ever!!

I'm still confused as to whether the cosmetic surgery caused the heart block, dont seem to be able to get any answers. My lipo was done in a very well established private hospital, id saved up for over a year to get it done. The cardiologist at my nhs hospital also works at the private hospital, i dont seem to be able to get any straight answers from him as to what may have been the cause.

5 Comments

swollen ankes and legs

by franko1966 - 2008-11-30 05:11:47

maybe you have chf,thats what i had. Have to keep sodiun level around 2000mg and watch my fluidintake no more than 1-2liter aday good luck

hard to say

by jessie - 2008-11-30 08:11:18

it is really hard to get definitive reason why from the drs. i am only guessing that it may have been in my preschool years i had rheumatic fever. my brother had heart damage. he now has a p.m. and so do i. hope this helps some. i have chf as well so i take a diuretic. i have to watch the salt too. keep asking questions but do get another opinion and some answers. jessie

Me too....

by Pookie - 2008-12-01 09:12:58

Hi.

I've had my pacemaker for 4 years but only this past May did I start to experience edema in my feet. I thought it was the start of the hot weather and left it at that. By mid summer that was gone but then my legs (calves mostly) puffed up and also became solid and ached a bit. I even went so far as wearing loose fitting socks, but that didn't help either. I have shown my family doctor but she said that it's not a clot and since I don't have it 24/7 not to be too concerned!!!

I still have it but not as bad, but I know what you mean by the feeling of them being solid...as my legs used to wiggle!!! lol. It could be blood pooling in my legs, it could be salt and fluid retention.....I dunno. Perhaps you could ask to have a doppler of your legs. Are you on any medications that could cause this??? I too raise my legs but it doesn't help.

Sorry I cannot help, but just know that you are not alone and perhaps someone here has experienced it too and could post some advice.

Good luck & keep us posted.

Pookie

Swollen ankles

by Hot Heart - 2008-12-13 10:12:35

Hi guys, thanks for the advice. I think that the swelling may be to do with the ankle liposuction, the left leg seems to be getting softer and less painful and the swelling seems to be going down a bit. The right ankle is still very swollen but even this is beginning to feel a bit better. I've still got lots of post liposuction bruising, so I suppose i've just got to wait and see. I'm not on any medications and dont ever have a high salt diet so theres not really much more i can do.

Had a second pm check, they said i'm still 100% pacing, that my natural heart rhythm doesnt kick in until about 35, they dropped my lower limit to 50 but think i will still 100% pace. They upped my top number to 120 from 100, as i told them that as soon as i feel better i intend to start back at the gym. Not seen the cardiologist yet, seeing him 17 Dec so perhaps i will get more answers then.

Right, back to work now, you all take care and have a good weekend!!

swollen ankles/High bp/Happy New Year

by Hot Heart - 2008-12-28 10:12:56

Hi Everyone, hope you all had a lovely christmas and go on to have a happy new year, all pacing nicely.

Not been bad with the pm since i got the settings changed, saw cardiologist on 17 dec, he said all working well, i had an echo cardiogram, he said is was ok apart from a teeny bit of leakage from one of the valves. My bp is still high, lowest its been 156/96, cardio guy said i may need meds if it doesnt come down on its own. Only went high after being fitted with pm.

The ankles are still nicely swollen, can get into my walking boots, but no pretty hi heels for me over xmas; felt a bit of an idiot in my posh frock and old sandals-but what the heck!

I am still at a loss if the swelling is post liposuction, post pm or because of the high bp; I did hear the surgeon say that the lipo may have damaged my lymphatic system. Looked on internet, this is scaring me more than my heart, lots of web sites seem to say that the swelling could be permanent if its lymph odema and that all you can do is manage it.

Anyway, i'm entering 2009 with my heart still ticking, lots of family and friends around me, so if it is permanant i shall just have to deal with it. I know i am luckier than lots of people on here.

Sooo, Happy New Year, I hope that things go well for everyone. Keep Ticking!!!!

You know you're wired when...

Like the Energizer Bunny, you keep going.

Member Quotes

My pacemaker is the best thing that every happened to me, had I not got it I would not be here today.