It is estimated that 60% of patients who have undergone lipedema surgery performed byDr. Nicolas Zwillingerlive more than a two-hour drive from Paris. Planning for a smooth return home is essential; in this article, we will provide you with tips to make your return home easier.
For lipedema surgery, you are generally asked to arrive at the clinic between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. If you live far from the Paris area, it is best to spend the night nearby. You should not underestimate potential traffic issues (traffic jams, public transportation strikes, etc.).
Patients facing this situation turn to various housing options:
Since the procedure is performed under general or spinal anesthesia, it is important to eat a light meal the night before and then fast until the time of the procedure.
We will notify you of your arrival time at the clinic one month before the procedure; this schedule takes into account the time needed for administrative procedures and preoperative preparation
It’s hard to predict the exact time of release, as it depends on various factors:
We do not recommend planning a long drive on the day of your lipedema surgery. We therefore strongly advise you to spend the night in Paris or the Paris area.You will need to have someone with you during your stay.
There are a few things to keep in mind:
You have several transportation options for the return trip; we’ll go over each one in detail, highlighting their advantages and limitations. In any case, be sure to stay hydrated and wear your post-operative compression garment.
This is often the most time-efficient option, but there are a few things to keep in mind, particularly avoiding transfers. Since your walking speed will be significantly reduced following your procedure, we recommend that you request assistance from the SNCF. This assistance must be booked in advance and ensures that you will be accompanied all the way to the train in a wheelchair. You will need to arrive at the station early.
Once you’re on the train, feel free to protect the seat with a seat cover. Since sitting for long periods can sometimes be uncomfortable, the train offers the advantage of being able to get up and stretch your legs.
A car remains the most flexible mode of transportation: you can leave whenever you want, stop as often as needed, and travel in a semi-reclined position if necessary.
Although you are technically allowed to drive on the day of your procedure, we do not recommend it for trips longer than 2 hours. In this case, it is best to make the return trip the day after or two days after your WAL liposuction procedure.
Feel free to stop as often as you like if you feel the need to stretch your legs.
This mode of transportation is strongly discouraged, as it significantly increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Flying should only be considered for trips lasting less than 3 hours, provided a Doppler ultrasound is performed 24 hours before departure. Wearing double-layer compression stockings is mandatory, as is the administration of LOVENOX the day before and the day after the flight.
For flights longer than 3 hours, they are strictly prohibited during the month following lipedema surgery; you will also need to undergo a follow-up Doppler ultrasound 24 hours before your flight.
Even though the return trip takes less than two hours, it can be very tiring and may cause discomfort. To avoid this, take your time when changing positions (standing-sitting-standing), avoid stairs, drink plenty of water (1.5 to 2 liters a day), and eat well.
Planning your trip to Paris—and especially your return journey—is essential to ensuring a smooth visit and a hassle-free return home. Please don’t hesitate tocontact us ifyou have any further questions.