Some follow-on questions
I've had a little time to get my application packet and choose a doc and a WLS (DS, I hope, pending insurance).
A couple of weeks back, I had the WEIRDEST thing...my right leg below the knee blew up like a balloon to about twice the size of the other one. The calf was discolored, a dark reddish brown, and was painful for a couple of days. It was getting better, but I wore shorts in front of the wife and kids (19, 17, and 13) and they freaked and insisted I go to the ER. Never found anything, did ultrasounds, but no DVT or obvious blockage. They gave me antibiotics and I did a little symptom sleuthing on tha intarwebz and the only thing that matched this and the weird lingering cough I've had for a month is PPH. Holy guacamole, Pancho!
It doesn't help that since mentally deciding 'yep, I guess I'm having WLS', I've eaten like a PIG and gained about 40 pounds in the last 2-3 months...(please call me dumbass as needed).
Which leads me to my next 'stream of consciousness' stupid question...is there any advantage to being at my heaviest possible when I first consult for this? I'm 6'0" and usually bounce between 335-350. I'm 375 right now, and have NEVER felt so short of breath, tired, and old. I've been borderline diabetic for a couple of years, well controlled with lowered carbs...but I'm feeling the glucose/insulin ups and downs pretty heavily at this point...
I'm thinking it might be in my vested interest to get some weight off NOW!!! duh...
And finally, (feel free to PM if the urge strikes) who would be a good contact here at OH for me in trying to push DS through my BCBS of AL insurance? I know there are so many stories and so many folks on OH, that surely someone may have been through approval with DS and/or Blue Cross/Blue Shield...
Thanks,
Dan
Hey Dan,
1.Gain weight to qualify for WLS? Stupid idea
2. BSBC Bama? The DS forum here on OH is extremely active. Also, try the Alabama state board.
3. Eating like a pig? Normal behavior, and it'll only get worse
4. Your leg ballooning? Don't know but I lived with frickin' bursting "sausage legs" for many years due to diabetes. Oozing wounds, swollen beyond belief and the like..... painful.
Boner
Sorry for the delay in responding but here's a quick summary:
There may be a direct relationship between leg swelling and diabetes of the bloodstream inside the human body. The diabetes can expand the inappropriate blood circulation in the lower leg region and as a sign your leg will engorge automatically. Diabetics can develop problems with circulation in the lower legs, and swelling of the lower leg is usually the first sign of it.
The body’s sensitivity to insulin increases automatically which also has the potential to cause the diseases related to: Kidney disorders; Obstruction of the veins; cardiovascular diseases of the heart etc. The insulin in the bloodstream damages the delicate nerves and veins endings reaching straight to the end of the feet and blood vessels thickens in size which let your leg to swell as if it is injured. With relatively low blood supply to the delicate veins of the feet it is hard to let the oxygen reach the leg mixed with the bloodstreams and it in turn becomes less effective to heal the infections by fighting the cause therein. The serious complication related to leg and diabetes is when the swelling appeared to have caused more trouble by taking a prolonged period of time to heal itself automatically and a demand of a surgery or operation is recommended.
Leg and foot problems can arise in people with diabetes due to changes in blood vessels and nerves in these areas. Peripheral vascular disease is a condition in which blood vessels become narrowed by fatty deposits, reducing blood supply to the legs and feet. Diabetes also can dull the sensitivity of nerves. Someone with this condition, called peripheral neuropathy, might not notice a sore spot caused by tight shoes or pressure from walking. If ignored, the sore can become infected, and because blood circulation is poor, the area may take longer to heal.
Proper foot care and regular visits to a doctor can prevent foot and leg sores and ensure that any that do appear don't become infected and painful. Helpful measures include inspecting the feet daily for cuts or sore spots. Blisters and sore spots are not as likely when shoes fit well and socks or stockings aren't tight. A doctor also may suggest washing feet daily, with warm, not ho****er; filing thick calluses; and using lotions that keep the feet from getting too dry. Shoe inserts or special shoes can be used to prevent pressure on the foot.
Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve disease, dulls the nerves and can be extremely painful. A person with neuropathy also may be depressed. Scientists aren't sure whether the depression is an effect of neuropathy, or if it's simply a response to pain. Treatment, aimed at relieving pain and depression, may include aspirin and other pain-killing drugs.
Any sore on the foot or leg, whether or not it's painful, requires a doctor's immediate attention. Treatment can help sores heal and prevent new ones from developing. Problems with the feet and legs can cause life-threatening problems that require amputation-surgical removal of limbs if not treated early.
Boner
PPH is usually diagnosed late and has symptoms such as fatigue on exertion (and ultimately symptoms of heart failure), but these are so non-specific and diffuse that without a specialized workup, the non-specific symptoms themselves could encompass a wide variety of obesity and cardiovascular disorders having nothing to do with PPH.
Luckily, all or most of these symptoms improve (even in many cases, pulmonary hypertension) once you start losing weight and continue to improve as you reach your goal!
/Steve
Pigging out prior to WLS? Totally normal behavior. I very rarely have started a diet without bengeing my way into the starting line. WLS was no different. That being said, fight it. The mental battle has to start somewhere.
I have nothing to add on the legs other than that I was starting to suffer from what's called Venus Stasis Dermatitus prior to my WLS. Fancy words for the little microvalves in your blood veins that help defy gravity and return blood to your heart from the extemeities start cashing it in due to years of HBP. Maybe some of your symptoms are due to poor venous return of blood. Might be a similar affliction.
The free man owns himself. He can damage himself with either eating or drinking....... If he does he is certainly a damn fool, and he might possibly be a damned soul; but if he may not, he is not a free man any more than a dog.