It is estimated that 60% of patients undergoing lipedema surgery by Docteur Nicolas Zwillinger live more than 2 hours’ drive from Paris. Organizing a smooth return home is not something to be neglected, and in this article we’ll give you some advice on how to make your return home easier.
1. Arriving in Paris for her lipedema operation
For a lipedema operation, you are generally called to arrive at the clinic between 7 and 9 a.m. If you live far from the Paris region, it is preferable to spend the night in the vicinity. Don’t underestimate the potential traffic problems (traffic jams, transport strikes, etc.). Patients faced with this situation have recourse to various accommodation solutions:
- With family/friends (in Paris or Paris region)
- At the hotel (there are many hotels close to the two clinics where Dr Nicolas Zwillinger operates: Clinique Trocadéro and Clinique Etoile).
- Renting accommodation between individuals(airBnB, abritel…)
As the operation is performed under general or spinal anesthesia, it is important to eat a light meal the evening before and then fast until the operation.
We’ll let you know when you’ll be arriving at the clinic the month before your operation. This schedule takes into account the time needed for administrative formalities and pre-operative preparation.
2. Leaving the clinic
Exit time is difficult to predict and will depend on a number of factors:
- Operating time
- Volume of fat extracted
- Your recovery time
It is not advisable to plan several hours’ travel on the day of the lipedema operation. We strongly recommend that you spend the night in Paris or the Paris region. If this is not possible in your case, you will need to plan an overnight stay at the clinic to benefit from the supervision of a medical team.
In the case of overnight stays outside the clinic (outpatient hospitalization), certain factors must be taken into account:
- Post-operative discharge: use undersheets to protect bedding
- Post-operative fatigue: avoid taking the stairs or walking for more than 10 minutes
3. The return journey
You have a choice of different means of transport for the return journey, and we’ll go into detail about each one, indicating the advantages and constraints. In all cases, you’ll need to stay well hydrated and wear your post-operative compression garment.
The train
This is often the best time/distance ratio, but you do need to take a few precautions, especially to avoid connecting trains. As your walking pace will be considerably slower after the operation, we recommend that you call on SNCF assistance. This assistance can be booked in advance, and allows you to be accompanied until you enter the train in your wheelchair. You will need to arrive early at the station.
Once on the train, don’t hesitate to protect your seat with a seat cover. The sitting position can be difficult to maintain over a long period, so the train gives you the advantage of being able to stand up and stretch your legs.
The car
The car remains the most flexible means of transport, as you can leave at any time, stop as often as necessary, and travel in a semi-recumbent position if required. Although in theory you can take the car on the day of your operation, we do not recommend it for journeys lasting more than 2 hours. In this case, it is preferable to make the return journey the day after or two days after the WAL liposuction procedure.
Don’t hesitate to make several stops if you feel the need to stretch your legs.
The plane
This means of transport is strongly discouraged, as it considerably increases the risk of phlebitis. Air travel can be considered only for periods of less than 3 hours, and with an echo Doppler check 24 hours before taking the plane. Double compression is mandatory, as is the injection of LOVENOX the day before and the day after air travel.
Air travel of more than 3 hours is totally forbidden during the month following lipedema surgery, and you will also need to have a Doppler ultrasound check-up 24 hours before the flight.
The return journey, even if it lasts less than 2 hours, is a very tiring time, which can lead to discomfort. To avoid this, you need to take time for each change of position (standing, sitting, standing), avoid stairs, drink plenty of water (1.5 to 2L of water per day) and eat well. Organizing your arrival in Paris and, above all, your return journey are essential for a smooth intervention and return home. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us .
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