Hi Forumers,
I had my op with Dr Jong. I have written about my experience below.
Consult one day prior to operation:
I arrived at the clinic for my consultation where Dr Jong used an ultrasound machine to check precise thickness of leg muscles. He drew markings on legs and ran through operation and provided opportunity to ask any questions. Also took lots of photos and a video of my walking. He said he will also do lipo around knees to provide better contour of legs. Consultation ran for approx 1.5hours. I felt he was very thorough.
Op day: everything ran smoothly, It took a long time! Had operation under spinal. Spinal needle was relatively painless and took effect quite quickly. Op went from 10:30-4:00, fell asleep during procedure I was so so relaxed. After procedure no pain. Had to lie completely flat for 24 hours. Clinic provided meals for the entire 2 day stay.
Day 1 PO:
AM: Slight pain behind knee. Achy feeling in L leg (similar to big session at gym). Tried to straighten foot and felt a warm burning sensation so stopped! Drains collection blood although not a lot which I'm told is good.
R=36cm L=37cm
Started Arnica tabs and Dr Jong gave panadol and riboflavin tablets 3 times per day.
After noon- some burning pain in my left leg when pushing down. This is apparently nerve pain. Dr Jong informed he removed 150grams of muscle from left calf and 150g right calf.
Fell asleep at 1 am, trouble getting comfortable because of drains and catheter tubes in the way!
D2 PO:
Last morning at clinic. Walking very slowly with wedges. Dr Jong removed drains... OUCH! At least it only took a second or 2 to pull them out but I did gasp.
Back to hotel, walking flat on right foot with some tightness still on toe with Left foot.
Did not need wheel chair or walking aid to get back into hotel- just walked very very slowly and rested for evening.
Still taking Aneca, panadol and nerve pain tablet. Seems to be doing the trick. Some hip pain from odd sleeping position.
D3 PO
Had a sponge bath and decided to get out of my hotel room. Legs quite tight (similar to big session at gym). Practiced my walking up and down hotel room. Still can only walk on toe on left leg. I started to feel frustrated because I am impatient and just want to walk normally again ASAP but then realised I need to be patient! Went and sat by pool for the day which was great to change the atmosphere. Decided in the late arvo to head to the supermarket so went out for an hour in my wedges. Initially my walking was quite slow but the more I walked the easier it became. No one would have been able to tell I had an operation, I was confident my walking looked normal by end of shopping trip. Legs did feel tired upon return. Dr Jongs protocol is to rest for one week and only walk to bathroom or when necessarily... I can't sit still for more then 5 minutes so this was tricky for me. Occasionally during my shopping trip I would get pins and needles in my left foot (sometimes it was a warm burning pain that lasted a few seconds) but I made sure I was careful with my walking and didn't overdo it. Back to the hotel and rested for the remainder of the night. Before I went to bed I tried walking on flat feet and was suprised I could with little tightness. I have been taking Anica religiously every 4 hours as well as riboflavin tablets. No pain killers though since I left the clinic because I haven't had any pain.
D4 PO
Morning: Woke up and where my stitches are felt a bit itchy and sore (may have slept in a certain way that put pressure on them). As soon as I woke up to go to the bathroom i walked flat footed. A little slow and tight at first but the more steps I took the easier it became.
Had check up with Dr Jong today. He used his ultrasound machine to check for hematoma and seroma and change dressings. Everything was fine and swelling at a minimum. Went shopping for about 1/2 hours then went back to the hotel and rested. I will be leaving tomorrow to head back home. It's been a short stay here but and enjoyable one.
D5 PO
Morning: Woke up a little stiff this morning. Went for an appointment at 9:30am with Dr Jong, I walked there all was fine but a tiny bit of discomfort in my left leg. He changed dressings and examined with the ultrasound machine. I have some fluid built up in my left leg so he aspirated this for me. He attributed this to me being on my feet shopping for too long yesterday. None the less this is my last day here so he ran through post operative care instructions for me back home. He also took measurements and assessed my walking. I can now walk flat footed, takes a minute or so for the tightness to subside but once this does I am fine. He has recommended that I start doing stretches after 2 weeks when he said the muscle starts to contract. He has asked me not to push myself until then and to not walk too much as this will give my legs an opportunity to heal. I flew back home that afternoon. Because I couldn't elevate my legs I found it a little uncomfortable on the long plane ride home but none the less just distracted myself by watching movies. Getting around the airport preflight was absolutely fine as I wore my wedges.
D6 PO
My legs more a little more swollen then usual from the plane flight. Have been walking around my home in flat slippers. I feel a little stiff when ever i get up but within a minute this subsides. Took my stockings off to sleep last night as it was a little more comfortable... Bliss
D7 PO
Can't believe it was a week today I had my op... Seems surreal that's it's all over when I think about it. Walking is still fine with the usual tightness when I first get up. I have been resting and not walking when not necessary. Dr Jong told me he sculpted my legs to each be 35cm, currently my legs are sitting at 37cm each but I know this is just swelling and I'm not to focussing on measurements during the post operative healing process. I've told myself I'm letting my body heal for at least 3 months before I focus on measurements.
