Hello everybody!
It’s day 10 post surgery and I have flown out of Taipei! I’ve had 3 check-ups with Dr. Jong since I left the clinic, and they were on Day 6, 8 and 10 (this morning). Diary below, but it’s worth mentioning ahead of time that I did not follow Dr. Jong’s instructions to keep my legs bandaged outside the stocking whenever I’m standing up or walking around outside. I also walked quite plenty and got 3 days of foot reflexology & soft-ish leg massage (I think the foot reflexology was fine and in fact - helped with blood circulation - but the calf massage I think made an affect and should have been avoided. The masseuse, however ‘soft’ you tell them to be, most of the time can’t go THAT softly).
My walking distance diary from Steps counter:
Day 6 - 8.4 km (1st check up with Dr. Jong. Everything looks good.)
Day 7 - 4.7 km + foot massage
Day 8 - 7.7 km + foot massage (upon 2nd check-up, Dr. Jong found some built up fluid, but too little to be aspirated)
Day 9 - 5 km + foot massage
Day 10 - Flying out of Taipei
On showering: Call me nasty, but I didn’t shower until Day 8 / 9! I just wiped myself a couple of times with a wet towel, wash my face and brushed my teeth by the sink, and managed to get my hair shampoo’ed and dried at the salon; they only cost about NT 300-350 ~ about $10. I also sanitize my compression stockings regularly with antiseptic wet wipes whenever I come back home from being outside. My main reason for not showering was because I was lazy, borderline not liking the process of taking off and putting back on my socks. They’re not so bad, I was just not motivated enough!
In details:
Day 3 - Post Op
I woke up with quite a bit of discomfort to my legs. Had trouble sleeping comfortably throughout the night, several times waking up to readjust my position, massage my feet etc. I was not feeling excruciating pain, but stiffness and soreness on the feet, I guessed I was swelling against the compression stocking. I think I overdid my walking / moving around (even with the walking aid) on the previous day. Despite the weakness, I was too excited that I was released and no longer under medical watch, that I just wanted to move around more.
I messaged Dr. Jong to ask him about this and the first thing he asked was if I’d walk a lot since my check-out. I guess he’s aware of how naughty everyone could get in moving around after being released. Well, it’s not easy to lay down for days straight! The over-restedness just prevented me from getting tired and being able to fall asleep!
Anyhow, his suggestion is the same protocol to rest and keep legs elevated. So that’s what I did for the remaining of day 3. At least tried my best to.
Day 4 - Post Op
On heels, I practiced straightening out my knees as Dr. Jong instructed me to on this day. In addition, I walked around a little bit more on this day than the previous, while still keeping the bed-rest policy in check whenever I could.
Day 5 - Post Op
Not much different than Day 4. Slow practices, going gently, and feeling it becoming easier and more comfortable each time I practice. I did realise however, that once the body is in rested position again from standing up or walking, the muscles contract again and when you want to start standing up or walk again, the calves sort of, ‘restarts’ and you struggle a tiny bit to get mobile again.
Day 6 - Post Op
First check up with Dr. Jong, and everything looked good! I had already walked for about 1 hour on and off in total prior to Dr. Jong’s appointment. I learned how to put on the compression stockings on my own and Dr. Jong gave me the permission to walk more; knowing me, when I heard this I knew I would possibly overdo it. Hahah!! I proceeded to walking about 8.4 km on this day.
Day 7 - Post OP
My legs felt depleted of power today. Not surprised considering how much I’ve walked the previous day. So, I had the brilliant idea to get foot reflexology to 1) help with blood circulation; and 2) kill time. So, having walked better and better each time, and very confident with this idea, I did. The masseuse knew to go softer on the calf and had my permission to go nuts on my foot for maximum benefits. The calf massage wasn’t so hard but my calves did feel sore when she ran through them; I wasn’t sure whether to stop her or not, not knowing which to believe, if it would aggregate or stimulate better the wound. I thought there was only one way to find out: Get the massage and cross-check that with Dr. Jong’s ultrasound analysis!
Often times I like to guinea-pig myself a little too much.
Day 8 - Post Op
Second check-up with Dr. Jong! He found about 9cc of built-up fluid (blood) on both calves. Not good, but not bad. They’re too little of an amount to be aspirated. He asked me how far/long/much I’ve walked, and I told him 8km and 5 km + foot relflexology and a little bit of leg massage. I asked him if the massage was ok, he said ‘ok, but not forcefully’.
I also asked him if I could start walking on flatter shoes, I figured I was ready and the sooner I train them, the sooner I’ll be able to. He said yes, I can start lowering my heel. In my head, it also doesn’t make sense to walk so much on higher heels as you’re working your calf muscles more! Not to mention more tiring!
Having practiced flat-footed in the hotel room, I decided I may not be ready for completely flat shoes just yet. I also ran through older posts of this thread and found people reporting a drop in endurance when they switch to flat shoes. I think the muscles need to be stretched down gradually and progressively.
I went out and bought a pair of lower heels that I liked and can definitely use even after surgery. Much more comfortable height wise, but I can attest that the muscles are learning the new angle and I walk slower and weirder than on higher heels. Though I was aware that this is temporary until my legs are used to the new form, which, didn’t take long.
Walked near 8 km again on this day + another massage.
Day 9 - Post Op
Nothing much different on this day. Had my foot reflexology and massage before bed time at 11pm (the place opens until 2am!). I allowed the masseuse to add a little bit of pressure into the leg massage. I had a feeling it was the wrong decision to make. Well, verdict in the morning on my last check up with Dr. Jong before my flight back home!
Day 10 - Post Op
As I predicted, the pressured massage on calf was a bad move. Dr. Jong found drastic fluid build-up, especially on my left calf. Up to 36cc from 9 of left leg. My right one was slightly less at 14cc. He aspirated both of them, but he was not so alarmed. He laughed saying I’m the only patient he knows who got this operation and would get a massage (because it hurts in a good, sore way?).
He bandaged my legs, ran through after-care instructions for when I’m back home, gave me a Doctor’s letter for aspiration should I be needing them, a wheelchair certificate for the airport (which had been awesome cutting lines by the way!), and off I went.
Regarding size of my legs, they haven’t gone down that much. Maybe about 1cm from original size fluctuating, I’m also not too concerned with the size at the moment - as I know I’ve been rebellious on the recovery process and find my legs swelled up more often than not. I think they were the smallest right after surgery when I was barely moving then. I’ll monitor for size around the 1 month mark and thereafter.
Now that I don’t have Dr. Jong within 5-minute walk distance, I promise to keep my legs bandaged for as long as I can have them bandaged, no more calf massage, continue with the foot reflexology and general mobility rehab of walking and stretching.
Let’s see how my recovery goes!
