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Ehlers-Danlos & Teeth
My teeth have always been a touchy subject for me. I’ve had issues with them since I was little. When I was little they had to pull 6 baby teeth at once cause while they were loose the crowding in my mouth wouldn’t let them fall out.Â
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PGP in ATL for FDRS 2023
I started out my FDRS 2023 trip a bit early. I started the 11 hour drive Wednesday morning after the boy got on the bus for school. The trip went really smooth and I arrived right around 6pm. My legs did amazing with barely any swelling. I unpacked so my outfits didn’t wrinkle for later in the weekend before heading out to dinner with Angelique (and Michael). Thursday I got up early, put on my compressions and headed to Hell Yea Gluten free to buy a ton of amazing gluten free treats. I want so many more of those biscuits. Stopping along the way to take some photos in from of some murals. I had headed down to Stone Mountain but wasn’t about to spend $20 for parking when I just wanted one quick photo. It started to rain so I went back for a swim at the hotel pool before going to visit a high school friend. Friday morning was another early start to get my hair done at Drybar before all the FDRS fun started. The Drybar was around the corner from the Puppet Center that had some of the original Muppets. I ran into Old Navy to…
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PGP’s Fave LA Spots & Services
Now that you have an idea on what to pack, let’s talk about places and services in LA that make my time out there easier. LA has so many great things to see and do for a nice active recovery. There are the classics like the Hollywood sign, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive or Sunset Boulevard. This article has been my go-to to remember places I want to visit while out for surgery. A surprise gem was the Funko Pop Museum that I visited last surgery and will definitely go back. It is free to get in, filled with adorable Pops, has fun photo ops and you can even make a custom Pop. Don’t let being post op stop you from seeing LA. If you feel up to it having an active recovery is great.
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PGP’s Surgery Faves
You’ve made the big and let's be honest kinda scary decision to have surgery to take back control from Lipedema - YAY! But now your mind is going a million other directions on what all needs done before surgery day. I’ve done this a few times now and I’m going to share my must haves to make the whole thing just go a bit smoother.Â
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Wonder Wednesday: What was a seroma like?
This weeks Wonder Wednesday question is: What was a seroma like? ***Graphic medical photos below*** As many of you know by now, I had a tummy tuck for lipedema removal on February 11th, 2021. Dr. Jaime Schwartz removed 3.5 feet of skin that weighed 20lbs. He also did manual extraction of the larger nodules and some liposuction as well. My stomach was almost all nodules and the removal of it was life changing. My back instantly felt better. About a week post op, I noticed when I leaned forward to pull my compression back up I was dripping from a non drain spot. I reached out right away to let the surgery tech know. I was advised to keep on eye on it but that it seemed like a seroma. A seroma is a collection of fluid that builds up under the surface of your skin. Seromas may develop after a surgical procedure, most often at the site of the surgical incision or where tissue was removed. The fluid, called serum, doesn’t always build up right away. I knew that a seroma was a possibility with any of plastic surgery. There was nothing myself or my surgeon did or didn’t…
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Surgery #3 Story & 6 Month Update
The anterior thighs was my 3rd and so far worst in terms of recovery. Even though I classify it as the worst so far (and yes that includes the wound vac tummy tuck recovery), I would 100% do it over again. This surgery was my first big debulking. My thighs were emptied. The surgery was great just like the others and I woke up in less pain than before. The part that made recovery rough was when I decided to be a good patient and drink the protein drinks Dr. Jaime likes patients to drink. I figured since it was going to be the biggest surgery yet I’d up my protein, not realizing they had dairy. Four days of stomach issues, the constant need to pee and my period had me up/down on sore thighs. Drained, sick and emotional can make for a rocky recovery. By day 5 I was feeling more normal post op… just swollen and tender if I hadn’t moved in awhile. My knees no longer touched but the top of my thighs felt heavy and rock hard like two cement blocks. I’d forget they felt that way till I’d stand up. It was the strangest feeling. I…
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Wonder Wednesday: Why did it take so long for a diagnosis?
*** Possible trigger warning: fat shaming, Dr's not believing patient*** This weeks Wonder Wednesday question is: Why did it take so long for a diagnosis? You seemed to suffer for so long... I wish I had a better answer other than doctors just don’t know about it. But sadly, at least in my case, that seems to be the reason why I didn't get a diagnosis till I was in my late 20’s. Actually the more I think about it it's that not enough people, in general, know about it.
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Wonder Wednesday: Why Tummy Tuck?
This weeks Wonder Wednesday question is: How did the tummy tuck surgery affect it? I thought it was only in the legs
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Understanding Class II Compression
Have questions about compression for #lipedema? @lipoelastic asked some questions to help share my experience with #compression to help out anyone overwhelmed. The article and video can be viewed here.
