Stuffed Sausages

Dec 29, 2008

After my knee surgery, I couldn't use my compression stockings.  Of course, while in the hospital for 3 weeks, I really didn't need them.  I was either walking/doing physio or laying on my bed.  My ankles were nice and shapely - my legs looked long as I actually HAD ankles.  (I usually have cankles.)  I come home and over the recovery weeks - although I still have physio and knee strengthening exercises to do - I am now sitting in chairs more often.

And guess what?  My edema started coming back in full force again.  *sigh*   The scale started creeping up because of all this stupid water weight.  ARGHHHH!  I'm having deja-vu - it seems just like January 2008 - when I didn't lose any weight the first month after my WLS.  My edema was so bad back then.  My lower legs look like stuffed sausages again.  The skin is pulled tight ...

Anyhow - I've gone back on the water pills (HCTZ) and started wearing my super sexy (not) compression stockings.  My skin is freaking out every night after I take them off .... it's been breathing and free for a couple of months so strapping them back into those tight stockings are taking a toll.  I scratch, and scratch and scratch and scratch and then scratch some more.  This will pass after a while ... but man - I'm so over these stockings. 

I read on the main RNY board where another lady (Jupiter6/Shari), who has done a stupendous job of losing weight after her RNY surgery (200+ pounds!!), still has problems with edema.  Her doctors chalk it up to the weight of her pannus over the years damaging her leg circulation.  So, even though she's now down below 160 pounds, she still needs to wear her compression hosiery.  She and I sound similar - heavy "aprons" of fat, pre-surgery.  So, I'm guessing I've probably done similar damage to myself.  I was so hoping to have normal legs after all the changes.  I guess I should be thankful that they have ways to control the side-effects of the edema.  Ahhhh well.   Being fat impacts so many parts of a person - not just health and fitness - but obviously emotionally, socially ....  and I guess some things, no matter how much you try, you can never make right.  You're given one chance at this life - some parts you have opportunities for do-overs.  But some things you damage beyond repair.

Tsk-tsk on me.  That is my one regret.  I wish I had this surgery years ago.  I wonder what else would have different?

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