Post-operative discharge is common. They can last from 3 to 5 days, depending on the number of incisions made. Where does it come from?
How do you deal with these daily run-offs when you get home?
Why is there discharge after the operation?
Lipedema surgery involves making small incisions to allow the liposuction cannulas to pass through. At the end of the operation, Dr Nicolas Zwillinger does not close these incisions. This ensures better wound healing. From these small incisions, the serous fluid present in the body will drain away. Infiltration fluid, saline/anesthetic fluid and blood may flow out for around four days after the operation.
How often should I change my dressings?
Flows are continuous or discontinuous, but in relatively small quantities. The discharge is mostly serohematic, or even just serous. On the first evening and the day after the operation, there may be more blood in the discharge, but this usually stops on its own after three or four days. You should change your dressings as soon as you notice that they are stained by heavy discharge, and only then. You should therefore change dressings no more than two or three times a day, and perhaps not all the dressings every time.
It is very important to clean your legs thoroughly after each dressing change.
How to change dressings
Incisions are protected by dry sterile compresses covered with adhesive dressings. These dressings are held in place by pantyhose and compression bandages. Dressings should be changed as soon as they become stained or dirty. Simply replace them with new, dry sterile compresses and hold them in place with adhesive dressings. You don’t have to wash your legs every time you change the dressing. But you do need to clean the area thoroughly with a disinfectant or saline solution. Dry well before replacing the compresses and sticky dressings. Once the dressing has been applied, don’t forget to put the tights and compression bandages back on.
You are allowed to shower bare-legged, with all dressings removed. Once you’re clean and dry, you can redo your dressings yourself if you feel up to it, or ask a home care nurse to help you. In the latter case, you’ll need to contact a nurse (internet, list in your local pharmacy) before the operation to arrange for her to visit your home regularly to carry out the care.
To avoid staining mattresses, car or train seats, take a mattress protector with you.
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