LBL: another when will I be normal post

I'm sorry, I know I have seen these type posts before but I just need some encouragement here.  I am thrilled with my LBL and would do it again in a heart beat.  However, that doesn't mean that it is not without challenges.

Last week I was on a high.  Felt so much better than week one and swelling went way down.  This week I went back to work and started walking every morning 2 to 3 miles.  I've gained 6 lbs in the past 7 days which I hope and pray is just swelling although my appetite is back and I am struggling with keeping calories low and not working out like I used to so a couple of lbs are probably real.

So, this week I am struggling with being depressed a little.  I want to know when will I feel "normal".  When can I get up and down out of a chair or turn over in bed and not feel a thing?  I understand the swelling can last 6 months or more with some people but will the swelling be as bad as it is right now in week 3?

Please someone help me feel better.

You've been through some major surgery and your body is working furiously to heal from it. As with any major surgery, what you are experiencing with the emotional ups and downs really is par for the course. Especially with you going back to work and amping up your physical activity, there is going to be some adjustments for your body and your emotions.

I think most of us have been there where you are. I don't remember exactly when I could get up and down without feeling it at all, but I do know the improvement was steady, sometimes in big increments, and sometimes in tiny increments.

I am 5 1/2 months out now, and my swelling is very minimal, if at all. I do rarely swell a little, mostly after an unusually long run or lots of sitting. I usually don't wear compression anymore, but if I do see the swelling, I put the Spanx back on for a day or so.

Your body is doing a good job in putting everything back together. Be patient with yourself with the highs and lows of your emotions. Don't focus on the numbers of your weight right now. When I was freaking a little about the possibility of putting some back on while I was more restricted in my activity and when my surgeon wanted me to eat a few more calories to heal, he reminded me that this is only for a season, and even if I did put on a few lbs., I would take them off when my activity level returned to normal. Swelling can really add some numbers on the scale.

You can do this, girl! Hang in there- I'm pulling and praying for you-

Shelly thank you so much for taking the time to tell me all this.  II needed to know I was normal.  thank you.  I think I am scared I will wake up tomorrow and  be 350 again. 

I'm only a week out, but I have the same concerns. I just feel so tight and I'm still in a recliner. I tried the bed last night and that did not go well

Oh I hated week one. Week two was so much better for me.  Hang in there.  We can do this.

I feel ya honey.  I'm 6 weeks out now and feel waaay better than I did at 3 weeks.  I'd say I'm about 85% back to normal.  I do and will continue to wear compression for at least another 6 weeks even though it's going way down.  I went back to weight training with my trainer at 3 weeks and now at 6 weeks he is amazed at the difference from then till now.  I don't feel anything when I get out of a chair but still do feel it when I turn over in bed.  It's not bad, but it's not totally normal yet.  Chin up...it does get better and quickly!

Laura

Laura I am hanging on your every word here especially the part about the difference between week 3 to week 6.  I think I was scared that at week 3 this is where it stays until like 8 weeks or something.  I need to know that its going to be much better in a few weeks.  I'm going to ask my Dr. today if I can start weight training.  That would help a bunch mentally for me.

I've been weight training for 3 weeks now and it has made a huge difference!  I feel more flexible and agile.  I hope you Doc ok'd it.  By the way, my trainer notices a huge difference from week 3 to present.  I can get in so many more positions without any trouble.  At week 5 I could do 30 min of cardio and an hour of weights. 

Laura

Laura, you had a LBL, right?  How heavy are the weights?  I've just been using some little dumbells because I was afraid to go back to my 15 lb weights just yet.  I can do 50 minutes of brisk walking without any trouble.  I'm thinking of trying the eliptical this week without doing the cross ramp very high so that its not much more on the abdomen than the walking.

Yes, the elliptical would be good, that's what I do... and stair climbing. 

I did have the LBL but I've been weightlifting very heavy for many many years.  So yes, I was released to do 35lb dumbbells, but this is light for me.  In your case, and how early out you are I'd stick to 5 to 8lbs for a while.  I have a friend who had my same Doc and had the same surgery and she was just released to 25lbs at 3 months out.  I can say that I'm easily able to do a 90 minute workout (30 min cardio/1 hour weights) and have been since week 4.  I just think that it's because I've been doing it for 18 years.  You'll get there, just keep at the cardio : )

Laura