Here I go again…

The last 6 months have been a blur. Somehow time has flown by and stood still at the same time. Recovery from surgery #2 was a struggle. Recovering in medical grade compression when it’s 105° is a special kind of misery I wouldn’t wish on anyone. However, I got through it, and here I am hours away from surgery #3.

The physical, mental, and emotional tolls these surgeries take cannot be fully articulated. It’s a strange mix of anxiety, stress, pain, grief, relief, joy, and guilt. It is definitely not for the faint of heart. With each surgery, It takes a certain mentality and approach to get through the prep, surgery, and recovery.

I’m absolutely thrilled with my decision to come to Germany for the remainder of my surgeries. As a planner and someone who isn’t crazy about change, making massive changes to my surgical plan is not an easy task. However, I’ve made the right choice to have surgeries with Dr. Ghods and his team. Their skill and expertise is matched only by their kindness, compassion, and thoughtfulness. The care I’ve received under their watch is unmatched.

So here I am with surgery #3 just hours away, and I can’t help but be grateful for how much my life has changed in the last few years. The initial lipedema diagnosis was so overwhelming. I didn’t know where to begin or what to do. It was paralyzing. Then I slowly met members of the lipedema community who lovingly and selflessly shared their experiences and knowledge. With their help and support, I carved a path forward, finding the doctors and treatments that were best for me. It’s not been easy, but I’m so thankful to be where I am today.

I have a few more hours to sleep before I get called up to the OR. I’ll do my best to do a better job of updating my post-op journey this time around.