THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH YOU CAN TAKE...

no help from me-no ideas or experience so i am sending gentle hugs

Hugs gratefully received, my friend. Reenie

Hi Reenie: So sorry you are feeling bad. My daughter has had lots of post wls plastic surgery. She always gains wt. post op - but loses it again. As far as the pain goes. Ask your doc for stronger meds and take more of it. Hope you feel better soon. Pat/Louise

Thanks Pat, this is good for me to know! Hey, if your daughter wouldn't mind, I would really appreciate talking to her about this - can you pass along my email address and ask her to drop me a note and then I'll respond to her that way? Thanks! Reenie

Hey Reenie, Hope you are feeling better!! Did you ever think that you might just be trying to accomplish too much too fast. You did have major surgury & it sound like you think that it should all be better in just a few days. You have to give that new body time to heal. That is why it usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to recover from any kind of surgury. Just an observation on my part. Hang in there! I am sure doing all that you are doing now will help & you will continue to improve on a daily basis. Relax & Take it easy. Stop trying to do So much. I no its hard because you were able to do so much before you had the TT, but you have to heal. Love ya lots Marilyn, the Bearlady

Hi Marilyn, thanks for your good thoughts. You're probably right (as usual!), I'm trying to move this recovery along and we just can't do that - we need to follow the cues our bodies send us and not try to control the situation. I'll rest, I promise! Thank you. Are you feeling better these days? Love, Reenie

Reenie, I hope things are going better for you. So sorry that I haven't been around, but life is crazy in Happy Girl Land at the moment. I haven't even had time to get to the gym in two weeks if that tells you anything. Being a responsible grownup sucks! Anyway, are you really going back to work today? That seems like such a short time after all that surgery. You're a stronger woman than I am. I've read that it can take as much as 6 months for the swelling to go down. I wouldn't worry about the weight right now and focus on getting in extra protein so you can heal faster. OK, gotta fly, but I just had to check in and see how you were. GET REST, Reenie! Don't push too hard if you are back at work this week. Love, Connie

Hello my friend, there you are! Yup, had to go back to work yesterday as I have used up all my vacation time. I work at a great place with incredibly supportive people - came back to my office to a dozen of the most beautiful roses I've ever seen! Was very tired by the end of the day but the flip side is I slept better last night than I have in several weeks! Thanks for your good thoughts, Connie, all is well. I miss you!!! Love, Reenie

Ice pack idea: Take an old thin towel and fold it to fit flat in a gallon zip lock bag. Wet the towel (more than damp, but not sloppy). Put it in the zip lock bag and freeze it. You can shape it to the coutours of your body and should find it stays cold for about an hour and a half. This should help with the swelling and pain. If it is too cold for comfort, add a dry layer between you and the ice bag (blanket, towel, etc). I do this when I strain my back and it does wonders. Much better than any commercially available ice bag... Happy Chilling... Joy

Ok, Joy, I'm trying this tonight when I get home from work! Thanks - hey, have you ever thought of a new career as a doctor??? Love and hugs, Reenie