Hey Miss Jean....thanks for the reply.  You inspire me and I will try the pool soon.  I just feel silly going in a t-shirt and shorts...I know I need to get over it.  I will wear my bathing suit with some trepidation. :-)  I also work in a hospital! I am a palliative care social worker and coordinate hospice and palliative care at our facility. I also spend a lot of times on the units meeting with patients and their families as they transition to palliative care.  I have watched the Little Couple and have always been impressed by Dr Jen in the NICU.  I will try to catch you if that episode re-runs!

Had you thought about pursuing surgery for awhile...I thought I read on your profile that you had lap band surgery first and it did not work.....I have read a lot of posts about this and that is one of the reasons that I decided to pursue gastric bypass....have you known anyone that got the sleeve?  The surgeon who I will probably have likes the sleeve....my insurance does not pay for this right now and I am still thinking RNY is the best option.  I met with the dietician today and she was very nice.  Lots of appts through this process but I will make it through......

Have a great July 4th!

Hey MIss Jean,

Thanks for your message. I hope it would be okay to add you on as friend on here. I do not come on every day but plan on possibly being on more often once my surgery occurs.   I will look up the site your buy your compression stockings from.  My PT is also suggesting some other options as well. 

I need to try swimming....the gym I go to has a small pool and I used to love to swim but getting in the bathing suit is another story!  It is nice to know that the obesity help conferences have been enjoyable and that may be something I think about attending.  The weight loss surgery world is a whole nother world and a nice one.  During my psych eval last week, the psychologist was very nice and said that I was making a good decision.  There are a lot of judgers out there and it was nice to hear positivity instead.

I understand about having tough work days and needing to lay low sometimes. What type of work do you do?

Thanks again for sharing youe experiences!  It is very helpful to me. 

Jennifer

Thank you so much Ms Jean for your reply.  You are literally one of the few people who has had gastric bypass who had lipedema I have met. I KNOW there are many of us out there but it is frustrating talking with drs and they have never heard of it. I developed this in the past 5 years (I am 38 and am in a size 20).  My dr had never heard, of lipedema nor my gynecologist nor the dr I met to do the H&P at the baritrics center.  I did manual lymph drainage a year ago and the PT was very helpful but more encouraging to have liposuction than to have gastric bypass.  I felt that, as long as I have the way excess weight, liposuction would be pointless as i would just regain.  I am thrilled to hear that you are losing weight in your legs and will try the lymph flow idea in the shower.  I have not been compliant with wearing compression stockings as they are so uncomfortable.  My lipedema is down to my knees.

I hope it may be okay if I occasionally ask you questions.  I have prayed about having the surgery and feel that this is what I need to do.  I am back into my exercise routine and losing weight on my own right now (it was suggested that we lose 5% of weight prior to surgery.....I am thinking I will have surgery in late fall but that is just a guess....I need to see dietician and dr for 3 months then the surgeon).  I am thrilled to know that you are not lopsided......this is a fear of mine.  I know my legs will probably look pretty bad even with weight loss and I am not expecting to be thin, but I want to remain as active as possible and to be able to enjoy my life.

You give me hope.  :)

Jennifer 

Your posts are helpful....I am pursuing gastric bypass and have asked several drs about lipedema and they all have no idea of what I am taking about.  I also have concerns about if my legs (and arms) will reduce post surgery (i have lipedema in both now).  My weight is not super high and I am exercising and am hoping this will help.  I do not expect to get small but do not want to be lopsided either.  I actually am pretty curvy and mostly in proportion although my butt and thighs are BIG.  I keep trying to access more info on lipedema and post surgery and it is very limited.

Helen-

Thanks so much for the reply!

Since I posted the question, I've come to within 39 pounds of my goal weight.

I went to see a plastic surgeon for a consultation.  He mentioned aggressive liposuction....but says he stops removal at 4 liters.  That's not a lot of fat, and below the waist is where most of mine is.

The good news is that the lymphedema mass has responded to wrapping with foam and short stretch bandages, and the mass on my thigh can't even be felt!  I have a mass at the top of my calf that seems to be more fat than lymphatic mass, and hopefully, when it's time, I can get that lipo'd down so both calves match!