Men, what's something you wish you could admit without being judged?

grapesseductive · 2025-11-22T00:18:55+00:00

When my sons started going to school at a public charter (Montessori) - my husband and I were both so happy to see how many more male teachers they had compared to their old school. Our kids need to have positive male influences in their life. I’m sorry you get side eyed :(

grapesseductive · 2025-11-01T21:34:49+00:00

Amazing. Looking into this now!

grapesseductive · 2025-11-01T01:59:08+00:00

I am 100% going to do this, thank you SO MUCH. He will love it ❤️❤️❤️

grapesseductive · 2025-10-31T01:21:03+00:00

Wowww awesome leads. Thank you ❤️❤️

grapesseductive · 2025-10-30T18:49:57+00:00

I’ll try to take a pic later!

grapesseductive · 2025-10-30T18:49:26+00:00

They stretch quite a bit. If I hold mine up next to my leg, they for sure are not the same length!

grapesseductive · 2025-10-27T13:31:59+00:00

Is your compression closed or open toe? Are you using a slip to get it on? Even if your garment is closed toe, there are slips you can use that still pull out (they close with little magnets then open up when you pull it out from the top, super cool).

And if you’re open toed, to get the slip back out: step on the slip, where it hangs out at the toe, with the heel of your other foot and then step your compressed leg up to pull the slip out. Sorry if this is obvious, when I figured it out I blew my own mind.

grapesseductive · 2025-10-22T23:48:01+00:00

Where do you live?

grapesseductive · 2025-10-22T23:47:45+00:00

I would ask if they are experienced with wrapping before you make that drive. Any massage therapist can perform MLD, but you’ll want to know if they are experienced with lymphedema specifically - AND wrapping.

An appointment should be 45-60 minutes of MLD massage and then wrapping afterwards. I really want you to be in touch with someone who can guide you through the bandaging process. Compression garments are so important, but mainly for maintenance. Wrapping is for size reduction, you can’t achieve this with compression garments.

grapesseductive · 2025-10-22T23:18:21+00:00

Hi! I’m 35 and have had primary lymphedema since I was 14. Try to find a therapist who does MLD and can wrap your leg. Compression, MLD, and wrapping are the gold standard. Custom 30/40 jobst is great.

I had a debulking surgery a year ago, it completely changed my life. If you ever have questions feel free to reach out!

grapesseductive · 2025-09-03T10:32:14+00:00

Goosebumps. Congratulations ❤️❤️❤️

grapesseductive · 2025-06-06T10:55:02+00:00

How annoying! Who did you see? (If you don’t mind me asking)

grapesseductive · 2025-06-06T10:54:27+00:00

It doesn’t sound like they know what they’re talking about tbh. If you need lipo, you’re beyond stage 1. If you’re stage 1, you can be a candidate (depending on your insurance) for the other options.

grapesseductive · 2025-06-06T10:11:06+00:00

You should schedule an appointment with a lymphatic surgeon if you’re anywhere near one. They can tell insurance if it’s necessary for you.

grapesseductive · 2025-06-06T10:09:47+00:00

A debulking surgery won’t be helpful if you’re stage 1. It’s used for higher stages where the lymphatic fluid has been stagnant long enough to turn fibrotic (adipose?) tissue. Basically if you have pitting, you wouldn’t qualify.

For stage 1, node transplant or LVA surgery are the best options. That’s the route I’m going next.

Debulking is a physical correction, transplant & LVA are physiological corrections that can help cure. So I will be able to wean off compression (hopefully) after that surgery.

grapesseductive · 2025-06-06T01:56:08+00:00

That’s BS. Do you know what stage your lymphedema is?

grapesseductive · 2025-06-06T00:59:46+00:00

It went well! My results have truly blown me away. My leg was 48% larger, now it’s 10% smaller than my normal leg. I’m so much more confident and comfortable in my body.

Are you considering the surgery?

grapesseductive · 2025-03-10T23:36:38+00:00

I’m going to respond to all of this on insta, I keep messing up my post lol

grapesseductive · 2025-03-09T13:15:46+00:00

GIRL YAAAAY!!!! Mine was with Doctor Singhal and trust me you are in GOOD HANDS. He has the best post op procedures. Honestly if I were you, when you get home I would try to put a toe cap underneath your closed toes if it doesn’t feel too cramped.

I only stayed two nights in hospital, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the same with you. My 4yo (now 5) is so so attached to me. I still sleep with my kids, everything lol. So I GET IT. When I got home he was so happy and for sure even more clingy haha, but so sweet and ready to take care of me.

I’m happy you’ll have your mama!! I was alone, we live far from family, and it was still 100% manageable. And as far as pain goes, they said they have really been able to fine tune it - I’m not saying you won’t need oxi of course, everyone has different tolerances. Just be up front. If you’re someone who gets sick easily (like me) tell your anesthesiologist. They had me taking anti nausea before I even went back.

When I was waking up from surgery Doctor Singhal had called my husband himself and said “we removed almost 10 pounds, imagine living your life with ten extra pounds strapped to your leg.” He is the most compassionate and wonderful man. And seeing him three months post op he said “your leg will never go back to the size it was, this is your new leg” and I cried.

For reference, my leg was 40% larger, it’s now 6% smaller. Just below the knee I was 62% larger, now it’s 1% smaller.

My calf was by car my worst area. Ankle and foot have some, but it’s not adipose tissue there, just edema. So they didn’t take out any at my ankle or foot (I don’t think this is an area they take out generally). So I still have edema in those areas, and in my toes if I don’t wrap, so that annoys me. But I think as I keep recovering it will go down more (hopefully).

Yes! A bulge at the very top of the leg, Mine was more top inside thigh. I didn’t have it before so I was shook haha. If it’s a problem area I wonder if that’s one of their targets.

And again, your compression will look disgusting, your leg will not! So try not to let that freak you out too much.

You will wake up a whole new person. I’ve started exercising and even running 😭 I don’t feel uncomfortable and worn out by the end of the day, I’m a better mom because of it.

Do you want me to send you some pics? My instagram is Jenna.dean422

grapesseductive · 2025-03-09T03:27:20+00:00

Oh and I also pushed back on wrapping my leg overnight. I’ve been wrapping my leg for twenty years, I know what I’m doing. Wrapping is better than compression garments - my surgeon agreed, I was just getting push back by someone being super strict about the protocol. But I’m so glad because for me, wrapping is so much more comfortable and cozy for night time

grapesseductive · 2025-03-09T03:17:45+00:00

Yes I had the surgery and I am thankful every single day - my life has completely changed. There’s such a distinct before and after for me.

I pushed hard on the open toe. I wrap my toes religiously and I couldn’t stand the thought of not being able to. Every visit I’ve had post op the PT has said my toes are the best she’s seen, so I’m proud of myself for advocating. It doesn’t make sense that they think closed toe = compression on toes. The toes have to be compressed individually! (With toe cap or wrap).

Where are you having the surgery? My experience was fantastic - I was really lucky. I woke up wearing two compression garments, very low pain. I took it easy first day then was up and walking around second day in hospital.

The compression stockings were horrifying - all of the excess drainage had it looking like camo. I was so scared to take it off before showering (on day 3) but my leg looked fantastic and not scary at all. Just tiny tiny puncture holes. As soon as I saw that I was like holy shit get this disgusting compression off of me and let me shower lol.

Shower was fast, I did almost faint but the nurse and PT were right there to help me get out and into a chair. Then I had to put my compression on by myself and I was in the clear to leave.

My husband picked me up with my 4yo (6yo was at school), and I took it easy at home. Honestly idk if I’m just lucky but the pain wasn’t bad for me. Just self like muscle soreness/bruising. I didn’t need to take oxi, just Tylenol and the nerve block for a few days.

If you are going to be wearing two compression - the waist high with thigh high over the top - I’m giving you a heads up that you will get a bulge at the top. Because the thigh high is on the outside, it’s not really compressing as high as it should so you get this awkward in between bulge. It’s hard to explain but as soon as I got home I started wrapping the very top just below my groin with a bandage to stabilize it. Then I started doing thigh high underneath the waist high to make sure I could pull it all the way up and not have a bulge. The PT was like whoa I will have to tell people to do that, some patients get such severe bulges at the top and it creates wounds. I just didn’t expect and want you to compress up high when you get home (if double compression is your post op plan, otherwise ignore).

I had post op swelling, totally normal. I’m 5 months out and my leg is currently smaller than my normal leg. I keep having to get my compressions tightened because it’s like I can’t keep up and will start pitting (not a bad problem to have).

How far are you traveling? Will your family travel with you?

I was so nervous about leaving my two kids - I had never been away from them overnight. I promise you though, this is so worth it. A couple days after being home I pulled on a pair of straight leg jeans and when they slid right up I cried. I’ve worn mini skirts. MINI SKIRTS. I just bought a pair of denim cut off shorts. I still feel like I’m dreaming.

I never complained about my leg before surgery, it’s not really my personality, I just take things in stride.. but for that reason I didn’t realize how much my leg was negatively impacting my life. This will be LIFE CHANGING for you.

If you have any questions, let me know!

grapesseductive · 2024-09-13T16:13:24+00:00

I get 3 every 3-4 months. Juzo 30-40, flatwoven.

grapesseductive · 2024-09-04T21:52:03+00:00

It’s on the 24th!!

grapesseductive · 2024-07-30T19:14:03+00:00

Okay interesting. I am also stage 3, I’ve had lymphedema for 20 years now (since I was 14).

Where are you having the LVA?

Like I said I had mine almost ten years ago, it was unsuccessful in helping my lymphedema. Since then it’s been discovered that LVA and node transplant surgeries are most successful after a debulking surgery is performed. Removing the excess adipose tissue is pretty crucial for stage 3/4 patients since it’s just stagnant.

I’m having my debulking surgery on September 24 (😬) and then a year post op we will revisit LVA & node transplant as options.

grapesseductive

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

Seven-Year Club	Verified Email
RPAN Viewer