Through the wonders of modern technology I've been able to write this post on my phone, just round the corner from St George's Hospital over a lovely late lunch. There is something somewhat ironic about a 4 hour round trip for an appointment that lasts around 20 minutes. I spent longer eating a very tasty (and hot) curry in the cafe!
I saw the lymphodema nurse and she was lovely. I think it would be nice if they had some extra information or advice post surgery - I had expected it would make a difference to the appointment, but I don't think it really did. I don't think I was sufficiently clear with her that it was Dr Gordon's recommendation that I wear my compression 24:7 for six months, not Professor Schmeller's as she said she didn't think that was quite necessary, and she didn't talk at all about the best compression to sleep in.
It was reassuring to have someone looking at my legs, and being happy with their healing - in that it looked OK as you can't really remember the exact look of someone's legs from months ago when you see them day in and day out, so I didn't expect her to notice the change!
I've lost just around 1kg post surgery (taking me from 63.x to 62). The nurse described that as my weight staying the same whereas I prefer to think I've lost weight!
She said my upper thigh measurements were basically the same, but my calves were smaller than they were a few months ago. She thought my compression was helping move up fluid but I wondered if the surgery had improved my flow by removing some of the pressure on the lymphatics from the knee up? I'll be very curious to see how my measurements change by my next appointment. my husband pointed out that as they only measure up to the groin, it misses the difference up my outer thighs towards my bum, where my flanks look different. It was strange that as I've lost my inner knee pads, that she considered my measurements to be similar around the knees - although as 1kg less is the same there may be some small differences that count as "consistent".
I asked if I could use my camera to photograph the sheet so I have the measurements for me to compare myself to. They were 17 points up my leg, taken by marking what looked like equal distances with a ruler - I must ask what the gaps between measurements are for me to check at home.
She has prescribed me some open toe (OT) tights in the same size and style I was wearing pre-surgery. It took me a while in the appointment to say that they weren't very strong and point out that I'd gone from EU class 1 to UK class 2 when she put me into the Sigvaris Diaphane, so I hadn't gone up in actual mercury measurements. She then said it would be better to have me in German tights and she only had me in French tights because that was what I was prescribed before I saw her (which made no sense to me!). So she's ordered me a pair of closed toe (CT) Veni - I think, hard to read sideways ;) - in a dark brown, for me to try. She said I can buy more if I like them.
The service is very efficient at St George's as the compression is ordered for you and posted to your home so I'm now watching the post box all week! I'll let you know what I think of the Veni - and I guess I should try the Diaphane again and see if they make me itch as much as they did the evening I tried them post surgery... for about 20 minutes!
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