Recent Posts
Topic: RE: Too fat for therapy!
Nanajean-
February 25, 2010 will be my 1 year "surgiversary".
I had a duodenal switch, the best choice for me and I'm within 84 pounds of goal, down from my highest weight (which was post-surgery) of 405. I was 397 at my pre-surgery weigh-in.
Take a look at my ticker...I project that I will reach goal by late spring or early summer.
I'm wearing 18/20 tops... sometimes even 14/16...down from 26/28 tops. 18/20 or 22/24 dresses, depending on the cut, pants...well...my waist says 18/20 (down from 30/32), but since I'm extremely pear-shaped, and because of the lymphedema mass on my left thigh, I won't achieve body symmetry until after de-bulking and plastics. The de-bulking will precede two knee replacements, then I'll think about plastics.
February 25, 2010 will be my 1 year "surgiversary".
I had a duodenal switch, the best choice for me and I'm within 84 pounds of goal, down from my highest weight (which was post-surgery) of 405. I was 397 at my pre-surgery weigh-in.
Take a look at my ticker...I project that I will reach goal by late spring or early summer.
I'm wearing 18/20 tops... sometimes even 14/16...down from 26/28 tops. 18/20 or 22/24 dresses, depending on the cut, pants...well...my waist says 18/20 (down from 30/32), but since I'm extremely pear-shaped, and because of the lymphedema mass on my left thigh, I won't achieve body symmetry until after de-bulking and plastics. The de-bulking will precede two knee replacements, then I'll think about plastics.
Topic: RE: Too fat for therapy!
Asiral-
Thanks for your reply!
It was not my PCP, but the head of the lymphedema clinic who told me I was to fat for therapy.
I followed my PCP's advice, had a compression garment made, and through this board, found a clinic in Fort Wayne, IN (2 hour drive each way) with a therapist who was able to reduce the size of the mass. When I told her the story, she asked: "Was it Dr. K-----?" I told her yes, and she said, "We get a lot of patients here he's told the same thing." The doctor has moved to another hospital, and I'm going to give it another shot at the hospital where he was.
Meantime, I've discovered that there is a surgeon in Akron, OH, who is an expert at de-bulking (saw him work on a woman over 700 pounds on Discovery Health ) and I'm sure if he could give her the ability to get up from bed and walk (with assistance), my mass should be no problem for him! Actually, from what I've been looking at on the Internet, Akeon seems to be the lymphedema treatment capital !
I know there aren't many fans of de-bulking on this board, but I have normal skin surrounding the area of the mass, and de-bulking is necesary for me to get my knee replacement on my left leg. I only have fat and skin on the other leg, so plastics alone will take care of that.
I'm not giving up! I'm very much an advocate for my own health care. If I hadn't been, I would likely have never decided on having a DS as my weight loss tool.
You wouldn't believe the ignorance on the part of the medical community when it comes to facts about the duodenal switch. From nutritionists right on up to MD's!
Thanks for your reply!
It was not my PCP, but the head of the lymphedema clinic who told me I was to fat for therapy.
I followed my PCP's advice, had a compression garment made, and through this board, found a clinic in Fort Wayne, IN (2 hour drive each way) with a therapist who was able to reduce the size of the mass. When I told her the story, she asked: "Was it Dr. K-----?" I told her yes, and she said, "We get a lot of patients here he's told the same thing." The doctor has moved to another hospital, and I'm going to give it another shot at the hospital where he was.
Meantime, I've discovered that there is a surgeon in Akron, OH, who is an expert at de-bulking (saw him work on a woman over 700 pounds on Discovery Health ) and I'm sure if he could give her the ability to get up from bed and walk (with assistance), my mass should be no problem for him! Actually, from what I've been looking at on the Internet, Akeon seems to be the lymphedema treatment capital !
I know there aren't many fans of de-bulking on this board, but I have normal skin surrounding the area of the mass, and de-bulking is necesary for me to get my knee replacement on my left leg. I only have fat and skin on the other leg, so plastics alone will take care of that.
I'm not giving up! I'm very much an advocate for my own health care. If I hadn't been, I would likely have never decided on having a DS as my weight loss tool.
You wouldn't believe the ignorance on the part of the medical community when it comes to facts about the duodenal switch. From nutritionists right on up to MD's!
Topic: RE: Too fat for therapy!
It makes me soooooo angry to hear this I went to the dr. 250 pounds ago and was told that I was fat and retaining water. I asked him why I was only going it in my legs and he just laughed. He put me on lasix and told me to lose weight. I stopped excercising because of the pain ect. It took open weeping wounds and a trip to the wound clinic for a nurse to say "You have lymphedema" My dr. laughed and said lymphedema was something cancer patients got and that I was just fat. I found a new dr. who listened and made sure I got the help I needed. She has put dr.s and therapists in their place and advocated for me. PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS DISORDER. Keep searching find a new dr. do what you have to do this disorder can kill you.
Topic: RE: Lymphedema and dating
Thanks for replying 
As you may have guessed, I'm still looking for that special someone and it's difficult figuring out how to approach them about my lymphedema. Unfortunately, I'm not as confident as you are like at places at the beach or baring my legs out in the open. My lymhedema is to a severity that my legs look cosmetically disfigured....still dealing with just having to cope with that reality. You are very blessed to have found someone who is not only accepting of your condition but supportive as well. I always felt that I would have to meet a man with lymphedema as well in order to feel comfortable with him AND it. Too bad the gene for lymphedema is one-sided affecting females more than males lol 
Thanks again for replying and take care!
Nicole
As you may have guessed, I'm still looking for that special someone and it's difficult figuring out how to approach them about my lymphedema. Unfortunately, I'm not as confident as you are like at places at the beach or baring my legs out in the open. My lymhedema is to a severity that my legs look cosmetically disfigured....still dealing with just having to cope with that reality. You are very blessed to have found someone who is not only accepting of your condition but supportive as well. I always felt that I would have to meet a man with lymphedema as well in order to feel comfortable with him AND it. Too bad the gene for lymphedema is one-sided affecting females more than males lol Thanks again for replying and take care!Nicole
Topic: Crossing Over to Transfer Addictions...VERY BAD TIME OF THE YEAR!
REMINDER....
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/crossingtotransferaddictions/
Hi All,
There is a new OH Online Support Group. The above link will get you there.
It's called Crossing Over to Transfer Addictions.
This group discusses the issue of transfer addictions (also known as cross addictions) after weight loss surgery. there are millions of people who have undergone gastric bypass who are now dealing with issues of addiction transfer.
For a number of people, giving up overeating leads to adoption of a new compulsion.
Addiction transfer occurs when someone is unable or unwilling to rely on one compulsion (for us, it was food) and so switches to a new compulsion (alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, shopping, internet, porn, etc) due to not having dealt with the underlying issue behind the compulsion.
***Please feel free (and safe) to join and discuss any and/all issues you have regarding Transfer Addiction. ***
WE WILL SUPPORT EACH OTHER WITHOUT JUDGEMENT!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/crossingtotransferaddictions/
Hi All,
There is a new OH Online Support Group. The above link will get you there.
It's called Crossing Over to Transfer Addictions.
This group discusses the issue of transfer addictions (also known as cross addictions) after weight loss surgery. there are millions of people who have undergone gastric bypass who are now dealing with issues of addiction transfer.
For a number of people, giving up overeating leads to adoption of a new compulsion.
Addiction transfer occurs when someone is unable or unwilling to rely on one compulsion (for us, it was food) and so switches to a new compulsion (alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, shopping, internet, porn, etc) due to not having dealt with the underlying issue behind the compulsion.
***Please feel free (and safe) to join and discuss any and/all issues you have regarding Transfer Addiction. ***
WE WILL SUPPORT EACH OTHER WITHOUT JUDGEMENT!
Topic: RE: Questions
Hi Maris,
You're right up the road from me...you are well versed on LE...and give great advice. Maybe we can have coffee or lunch next time I'm up that way...I have a very good friend *****cently moved to Orlando.
Sarah
You're right up the road from me...you are well versed on LE...and give great advice. Maybe we can have coffee or lunch next time I'm up that way...I have a very good friend *****cently moved to Orlando.
Sarah
I have Lipedema and Lymphedema. I also have a passion for Obesity and Health Insurance Advocacy.
Blog: born2lbfat.com Facebook: Born2lbFat Twitter: @born2lbfat
Topic: RE: Lymphedema and dating
Hi Nicole,
I have lymphedema in both my legs, and lipedema in legs and arms. I am still obese so it's easily just passed off as fat. I haven't "dated" a lot of men, which I guess I'm lucky. I met my boyfriend online and for some reason before we even met we were talking and he jokingly said he had awesome genes and I said I had messed up genes. He asked why I said that and I told him about lymphedema and lipedema. To my surprise he then Googled both so he could learn more about them. We've been seeing each other since March and he is very understanding, perhaps a bit too nagging about making sure I wear my garments and stay out of the hottub. But I've told him I'm going to have my lymph therapist teach him massage so he can "help with my treatment"...aka I can get massages from him more often. He already knew what I looked like, and liked who he go to know through conversations, so I was ok with being open about my legs. I had already been fine with showing my legs in public, like at the pool or beach, so him seeing them in the bedroom wasn't a problem at all for me.
I have lymphedema in both my legs, and lipedema in legs and arms. I am still obese so it's easily just passed off as fat. I haven't "dated" a lot of men, which I guess I'm lucky. I met my boyfriend online and for some reason before we even met we were talking and he jokingly said he had awesome genes and I said I had messed up genes. He asked why I said that and I told him about lymphedema and lipedema. To my surprise he then Googled both so he could learn more about them. We've been seeing each other since March and he is very understanding, perhaps a bit too nagging about making sure I wear my garments and stay out of the hottub. But I've told him I'm going to have my lymph therapist teach him massage so he can "help with my treatment"...aka I can get massages from him more often. He already knew what I looked like, and liked who he go to know through conversations, so I was ok with being open about my legs. I had already been fine with showing my legs in public, like at the pool or beach, so him seeing them in the bedroom wasn't a problem at all for me.
I have Lipedema and Lymphedema. I also have a passion for Obesity and Health Insurance Advocacy.
Blog: born2lbfat.com Facebook: Born2lbFat Twitter: @born2lbfat
Topic: Lymphedema and dating
Hello,
How many of you have found it to be difficult to approach someone that you have been dating or someone you want to start a relationship with about your lymphedema. I have lymphedema in both legs and also in my right hand. I find that it affects my confidence level especially on those days when the swelling gets bad. I have it under control enough that when I wear pants, it's unrecognizable....but I do have concerns about intimacy and having this condition. Does anyone have any advice to give or stories to tell?
Nicole
How many of you have found it to be difficult to approach someone that you have been dating or someone you want to start a relationship with about your lymphedema. I have lymphedema in both legs and also in my right hand. I find that it affects my confidence level especially on those days when the swelling gets bad. I have it under control enough that when I wear pants, it's unrecognizable....but I do have concerns about intimacy and having this condition. Does anyone have any advice to give or stories to tell?
Nicole
Topic: RE: What is Lymphedema?
Hey, it is when fluid collects in places that you don't want it to. Mostly the extremities. It means that there is something blocked in your lymp system somewhere. But once you hav it is is so hard to get rid of. Mamangeable yes but...
In HIS hands,
Shelly
Shelly
Topic: RE: Compression Garments
Apparently in order to use one of the crappy things you need to have no excess skin hanging in the groin. What an embarrassing mess it caused. Although mine wasn't a freshette, it was a go girl http://www.go-girl.com/
I don't suggest anyone use them unless its an extreme emergency and you don't mind having urinated on yourself. It probably works much better on people who have no excess skin hanging.
Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
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