Leg Elevation During Recovery

Question

I'm having BR & TT. Would it be a good idea to elevate my legs while I'm recovering?

Nikesh K. Patel, MD · Answer

After your surgeries you may be most concerned with blood clots forming in your leg.  I generally tell my patients that they should be walking rather than worrying about elevating your legs.  It is more important to pump your calf muscles like you are pressing the brakes in a car.  This will keep the venous blood circulating out of them and keep blood clots from forming there and creating major problems.  The simplest way of doing this is by walking, but you can also do this while on the couch; just put your legs up and pump them against the cushion or whatever is near by.

	Generally elevating your legs will help keep swelling out of them and keep them from being painful.  You are having cosmetic surgeries so swelling of the legs due to excess fluid should not be a major concern or your surgeon would/should have discussed this with you before hand.

Michael Constantin Gartner, DO · Answer

Yes, it could help. When resting, you can prop your feet up on a couple of pillows. In addition, make sure you do some movement throughout the day to reduce the risk of blood clots.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Leg elevation may be helpful after your surgery to help prevent swelling in the legs.  Also, following a tummy tuck, you will need to maintain some flexion at the waist for several days after surgery.  However, it is also I,portent to get out of bed and walk around regularly to avoid blood clots from formind in your leg veins.  I'm sure your plastic surgeon will give you very specific instructions on your post surgical routine.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

You are having a couple of significant operations (often done together) that will take 4 or more hours in the operating room. You can be sure your surgeon will be using some sort of anti-embolic measures to decrease the risk of blood clots. You may be sent home with compression stockings, which need to be worn properly to avoid acting like a tourniquet (all the way on, smoothly, NOT rolled down a bit). You should flex your feet when sitting or when in bed to keep your lower extremity blood moving, stay well-hydrated, and follow any other recommendations your doctor has made.

	Elevation of the legs is helpful in increasing blood flow and decreasing venous congestion and possible clot formation, but ONLY IF the legs are above heart level. Putting your feet on a footstool or in a recliner chair is NOT elevation, since your legs are still below heart level.

	If you lie down on a bed or sofa and elevate your feet above your heart, this is GOOD! Walking and flexing your feet are next best, and standing and sitting are not as good.

Ramon Navarro, MD · Answer

yes but besides you should  utilize a medium  elastic and compressive legs garments and  start movilization out of  your bed  as soon as possible

Leg Elevation During Recovery

Answers (7)

Answer: Leg elevation after breast reduction and tummy tuck is beneficial to reduce risk of blood clots.

Answer: Leg elevation after breast reduction and tummy tuck is beneficial to reduce risk of blood clots.

Answer: Leg elevation prevents thrombosis

Answer: Leg elevation prevents thrombosis

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Leg Elevation During Recovery

Answers (7)

Answer: Leg elevation after breast reduction and tummy tuck is beneficial to reduce risk of blood clots.

Answer: Leg elevation after breast reduction and tummy tuck is beneficial to reduce risk of blood clots.

Answer: Leg elevation prevents thrombosis

Answer: Leg elevation prevents thrombosis

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.