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Patty F. Recipient

Recovery and leg retains water

Sun, 10/12/2014 - 5:52PM

New LVAD on 9/5/2014. Some set backs at hospital but now I have been home for a week. Most everything is good... labs, lungs, kidney, etc. When I was discharged both legs were quite swollen. After a week the left one is returning to normal but a lot, lot faster than the right one. The right one gets just a little better each morning. I have reported it but does not cause much concern. I go for my first check-up in four more days.

Has anyone experienced this?

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Anonymous

Wed, 05/20/2015 - 6:45AM
I ended up staying in the hospital quite a bit long after the lvad. The first thing my wife and I noticed was my whole lower half was very swollen. We kept telling them because we thought I might need lasix but they never acted to worried. I can't remember how long it took to go away but I was sure glad it did.
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Larry L.

Mon, 09/21/2015 - 3:10PM
I had swollen ankles for several months after the operation. Was prescribed a water pill med for it that worked well and was discontinued after a couple months. The first few weeks were awkward getting used to all this cumbersome-ness and moving around. My PT nurse was emphatic about getting up each morning, getting dressed, and having breakfast at the table. I wanted to resist this but it is wise and sage advice I am glad to say. Also my equipment required re-rigging to be comfortable and more practice than what came originally.