Another Jim update - long e-mail

[Guest guest]

Hi one and all; I thought I should send in an update to let you know how I'm

recovering from the surgery on 18 December.

I went in for a simple hernia repair and a " thigh lift. " Dr. K said that

when he got " in " he didn't know what he was looking at and had to call in

Dr. Z. what they decided was that it was the largest hernia he had ever

seen. It was under the " deep fascia " and Dr. K told me that the DS and

related surgeries never go that deep and that's why he hadn't found the

hernia before.

The doctors concluded that I have had this hernia for 25-30 years. It is the

same type of hernia that Olympic weightlifters develop. He can't

" understand " why I didn't have major problems before because of the size of

the hernia. However, Dr. K's theory is that because I carried so much weight

for all those years, the force of the weight had kept the hernia slammed

shut all the time. Now that the weight is gone, while in the United Kingdom

I stressed the area sufficiently to cause the hernia to 'activate'. He said

that he could fit his head though the hernia opening.

The graphic paragraph-Because of the extensive work in the " manly area " I

have bathroom issues because I am so grossly swollen so I have to do

everything in the shower (and I mea everything). Fortunately I am still the

" puddin' poop " king or I'd be in big trouble! This means I take between 15

and 20 showers per day. And because of the drainage, I have to change

underwear (shorts and shirt) about every hour. I've never been cleaner in my

life nor have I washed so many loads of clothes in one day! LOL-end of

graphic paragraph.

I also have tremendous edema. My legs were so swollen last Tuesday that I

thought they were going to split open. Even lying down so much doesn't help.

The retention caused me to gain just over 32 pounds since surgery. Monday I

took matters into my own hands and 'borrowed' some furosemide from a friend

and the legs are finally returning to normal size.

He did a partial thigh lift, too. If you are contemplating having such a

procedure, here is my thought on the deal. First, make sure you know exactly

what a thigh lift actually is. A " hunk " of flesh is removed in the bend of

your legs and the thigh skin is pulled up and reattached. That is what the

procedure is. I thought we were talking about a different procedure. So,

when I discussed the lift with Dr K, of course he knew what I was talking

about-so did I, but they were two different procedures. LOL It really is

funny (the miscommunication). This procedure is more painful than anything

I've had heretofore. The major pain is because the incisions are right in

the bend/fold of the leg where it meets the body-the crotch area. No matter

what position I am in, it hurts. Walking hurts, sitting hurts, lying down

hurts; it just plain hurts no matter what! And it stays moist. And,

underwear is a curse from hell because the leg bands rub the incision and if

I wear boxer briefs the material is still tight enough to rub the incision

with every move.

All the other procedures I've had have been a piece of cake I comparison.

It's not that this is any worse than any other surgery; it's just that WHERE

the incisions are is the problem. I've never used much pain medication after

surgery because I have a high pain tolerance level; however; I have lived in

vicodin exactly as it was proscribed (every 4 hours round the clock) and I

will ask for a refill, too.

What I thought I was going to have been a procedure like the bat-wing lift.

Dr. K has told me we can/will do that procedure in a couple of months. This

is the procedure you all really need to discuss with him if you are

contemplating a thigh lift.

Once again I have to thank God for Dr. K and this wonderful DS surgery.

Looking back, I am not the person I was before the DS. Even now in the midst

of the current pain, I am so much better off than before. And, I owe my new

life to Dr. K (and Dee, too, who always listens to my rants and raves when

I'm sure I'm taking my last breath! LOL)

In closing, remember that Dr. K is Armenian and they celebrate Christmas on

6th January according to the " old " calendar. Send him a card folks! He said

that Dawn does the " big thing' on the 25th, and then they do a celebration

on 6th.

Ok, thanks for listening to my rants and raves. I hope that your 5th Day of

Western Christmas is a wonderful day for each of you. And, I pray that 2007

is filled with the things that make you each smile.