The Surgeon's Appointment - part 2

Hello, and here's the rest of the appointment... After the Professor said he felt I only had lipo-lymphedema in the bottom part of my legs he went on to explain why. He said that as I had lost alot of weight, which some was off my legs, that I shouldn't of been able to do that. He also said that because I didn't feel in agony during having MLD then I was less likely to have lipo-lymphedema. He said most people who have it are in agony most of the day.

At this point I was very upset. My weight has always been an issue and being able to label myself with lipo-lymphedema was some sort of comfort; that it wasn't my fault. In my mind at that time it was as if he was saying that having all this fat on my legs was my own fault, the one thing I felt had been lifted when I was given the lipo-lymphedema diagnosis by Professor Mortimer.

He went on to say that he did believe that I had lipo-lymphedema on my calves, but just a minor case. He said that on a scale I was almost off the chart at the 'good' end (if that makes sense) and most ladies he sees are much worse.

He then went on to say that he would operate on my calves and above the knees but he was concerned about the skin quality. He explained that he can take away all the fat, but the skin may not retract back. He said I had to be prepared for that and suggested that I find a good surgeon who could remove any excess skin prior to having any surgery with him. He also said a thigh lift would be what I needed to make my thighs look better.

The Professor then showed me a book of his work. Hundreds & hundreds of pictures of before and after shots. All with amazing results. I asked him where all his 'failure' photos were, but he winked and said he 'didn't keep those ones'. And there was me thinking he had no sense of humour!

He then went on to explain that the surgery was done under local anesthetic. A small hollow needle would pump fluid into my legs, and then another needle would gently vibrate and suck out the fat. The operation would take a number of hours (depending on how it goes) and I may be asked to stand up at some point so he can see that the legs are in proportion. He then went on to say after the operation I would stay over night in the clinic, then leave the next day. He said I would feel no pain in the operation but I would afterwards. This is the most painful operation he performs.

He went on to cover the costs of the operation E4550, E295 for compression garments, E170 over night in the hospital or E250 for two people. When returning home I would need to have 4 weeks of MLD, twice a week.

I agreed to the operation even though he hadn't agreed to do it all. We booked a date there and then and paid E75 for the consultation.

After the appointment we went back to our hotel. I had such mixed emotions. I was happy that he'd agreed to do the operation, but I never envisioned that he wouldn't! I imagined it to be an 'in & out' situation, more or less just to confirm things. I cried and cried. My poor husband having to listen to me rant and rave, and me feeling a complete failure because I believed he was saying that I was fat and it was my fault.

It took several days for me to be calm again and really think it all through. My husband is a Chemist and he explained that experts have 'opinions' and not all experts agree on things. The fact that Prof Schmeller didn't agree with Prof Mortimer doesn't mean he is right or wrong. I had to chew over that for a while for it to sink in.

So when we returned home, having to wait another 10 months for the operation.....