Liposuction and an MPN

I would like to undertake some liposuction having gained 20 or so kilos since January 2016. My head says that is a ridiculous procedure, the other half says just do it.

Anna

[Kari1961]

Obviously, it's entirely up to you and your Doctor to decide whether to go ahead with this procedure. My Sister had it done on her thighs a number of years a go and to be honest I thought it was a total waste of time and money. Myself and many people my sister knows couldn't see any difference, even though they said that they had removed xx amount of fat... also she could barely move for 6 weeks and had to wear pressure bandages due to severe bruising and to prevent blood clots. Added on to that the added issue of having an MPN could prove it to be a catastophic mistake. I would definitely advise speaking to your MPN specialist before you go ahead.

[Hidden in reply to Kari1961]

Dear Kari1961

I know you are right in what you say. The weight gain coincides with the time I started the Hydrea and the weight has been so rapid. When I mention it to a GP the question is simply dismissed. Just a moment of madness. I am without energy and the less I have, the deeper and darker the hole gets. Thank you for your response.

Anna

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Dearest Kari

DITTO. Fully understand what you have said on all counts. Stay strong and ask for help when the black cloud, brain fog gets too bad. I called the Leukemia Foundation who were wonderful. God bless Anna XXX

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

I would advise you discuss this with your haematologist. Maz

[Hidden in reply to Mazcd]

Thank you Maz. I am fairly sure any Haematologist who saw my platelet levels would never consider it. Some good days others not so good.

Cheers Anna

[Swede]

I agree strongly, with previous posts!

[Hidden in reply to Swede]

Thank you Swede. Yes I think you are correct.

Regards Anna

[Wyebird]

My head says we need an input of feel good factors to help us cope with life. Make sure you check with your consultant first.

[Hidden in reply to Wyebird]

Bless you Wyebird. The feel good factors have disappeared. I sought help from the Leukemia Foundation today. I was in a dark place. I need the black hole I am in to get brighter. I just covert energy.

Anna x

[Ebot]

Absolutely check with your haem first. Liposuction and an MPN has always struck me as a slightly dangerous combo! Please do feedback any response. Good luck.

[Hidden]

Thanks Ebot. My Haemo is retiring so with help, I will be looking for a new one closer to home.

[Borage]

I have gained over three stone during the time I have been on Hydroxy for ET. It has been because I ate too much and got depressed and inactive.

I have joined the Forward to Health Group at the local sports centre, using the gym three times a week, swimming and doing Pilates and Tai Chi all for £3 a week. I bought a basic Fitbit and built up my steps to 10,000 a day, and have gone on a low carb diet recommended by Dr Michael Mosley, the BBC presenter and writer.

I feel so much happier. My thighs and arms are toned, and I have lost four inches off my waist and nearly two stone in eight weeks, though some was oedema, and I continue to lose weight steadily, without the sugar cravings or feeling hungry. In another twelve pounds I will have gone from an obese BMI back to a normal BMI.

It has been a lot cheaper than joining any slimming club, and safer and more effective than liposuction, which can leave a horrible lumpy effect, which can never be put right. I like to think of the fat being sucked out of every cell by exercise and my healthy mediterranean diet of vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, full fat dairy produce, pulses, nuts and olive oil and fruit and some good dark chocolate. I am reading his Healthy Gut book now with interest.

When I reach my target weight I will increase the wholemeal carbs gradually, keeping my weight stable. I will not let myself get addicted to sugar again.

[Jasbak66 in reply to Borage]

Yes well done you, keep up the good work.

[piggie50]

Very well done to you Borage, it shows what an be achieved when you have the right mindset and determination.

[Hidden in reply to piggie50]

Hi Piggie50

You are right, it's when the mindset in maladjusted that things don't go so well. It is not a matter of determination alone or vanity. Someone who is incapable of standing up alone can have the determination to achieve that task but physically may be incapable. The mind is such a complex organ. Regards Anna

[stillkicking]

Dear Anna,

So sorry that you are "in a black hole" and I so wish that I could send some of the lovely Spring flowers that are popping up in our garden at the moment. All back to front seasons here in New Zealand! We have very sunny looking daffodils, a few late snow drops, and there are the very first blue bells starting to bring colour to shady places under our trees. Our plum trees covered in a fragrant fog of white plum blossom, and towering above it all are some enormous wattle trees that are a mass of yellow.

The blasted MPNs certainly don't make for much fun in life and I have been a bit "down" myself some days of late, but the flowers do help... and so do my morning walk with the cat!

I do so hope that things improve for you.

Hugs,

Peter x

[Hidden]

Thank you stillkicking, I have enjoyed your garden with the lovely flowers. My 'black hole' is very real but I know what such actions would do to my family and so the fight goes on. If I manage to stay on my feet all day, that's a good day. I am having trouble keeping my Systolic pressure above 90, and the diastolic pressure is around 70. I think that may have something to do with my state of mind. Who knows? My Dr thought my BP machine wasn't calibrated. Which is ironic because the last time he took my blood pressure it was 74/50. I ended up in hospital that day.

I sought help from the Leukemia Foundation and they have been most encouraging. I think my low BP may have something to do with my state of mind. I am sure there are many other factors. Who knows. I don't think that my depression is due to my illness but rather coping with the symptoms. Changing Haematologist soon so hopefully the air will inflate the pretty balloon again.

Thank you for taking me with you on a walk through your garden. It really is beautiful. I love your country especially Napia. Regards Anna

[Jasbak66]

For what it’s worth I agree with Borage diet and exercise is the way to go. Good luck.

[Tico]

Hi Anna, would certainly not consider liposuction for many reasons. You talk about being in a black hole,you certainly sound depressed. You have been experiencing blood pressure problems & more importantly having et can make your blood too sticky,therefore making you more prone to clots & any avoidable surgery would be a must. Take the advice suggested & eat a more healthier diet if need be but first i would advise you seek some sort of help for your mood because when we feel low in ourselves that is when we tend to reach for the comfort food. I suggest you discuss your feelings with your gp or maybe a close family member or friend. Whatever you decide to do anna i send you my very best wishes.x. Atb tina.🤗

[Hidden]

Thank you Tina

My blood pressure problems have me intrigued. It's 2.20am in OZ and I just took it and it was so low. When I had my BMB in 2012 they were unable to give me a read on my platelet count because the blood was too clotted. Dark days but have sought out for help. The darkness is due to the lack of energy. I went out with my husband last week and passed out twice. I did discuss it with my GP again. He said he thought my machine needed to be calibrated despite taking a read during my previous visit that shocked him and me. It was the lowest I have had, I think. I can't recall what he said on that occasion. Thank you for your thoughts, the weight gain has been excessive, since I started on Hydrea. That's hard to take when you don't recognise yourself in the mirror. I eat well. I look after my 88 year old mum so I make sure I cook well. I don't eat much but I crave sugar. So that is what I need to work on. It's hard to exercise when you don't have enough blood pumping through your heart. I hope someone will try to resolve my blood pressure problem. Regards Anna

[Borage in reply to Hidden]

I have done three months on Low Carb Healthy Fat way of eating.

It really works to stop the sugar cravings, hunger and snacking. I have had plenty to eat, replacing bread, pasta, potatoes and rice with plenty of green vegetables, and cutting out breakfast cereal, cakes, biscuits and sweets, which I no longer want.

We have been brainwashed to choose low fat stuff and to cut down on salt, but LCHF eating includes neither of these. The dietary advice in the last 40 years was never based on research. It has caused type 2 diabetes and obesity and has created the whole useless diet industry.

If 99% of people cannot lose weight and keep it off, and cannot stick to the low fat diet, with carbs at every meal, because it makes them feel always hungry, then there is something wrong with the diet. It is cruel to blame overweight people, and say they are not sticking to the diet, when most people have a metabolic problem with the high carbohydrate diet, which causes type 2 diabetes and obesity.

I have lard and eat all the fat on my meat. I eat outdoor-reared meat in moderation, free-range chicken, fish and pulses and nuts and seeds, and have eggs every day. None of these are bad for cholesterol levels.

I enjoy full fat milk and natural yoghourt, butter and cream, and enjoy a variety of full fat cheese in moderation. These provide vitamins and make me feel well fed and satisfied without snacks. I do not eat margarine or sunflower oil, or anything labelled vegetable oil, or vegetable fat, they are not food my grandparents would recognise.

I had a couple of dizzy episodes, and my blood pressure had gone down, in the first couple of weeks. I am on meds for BP, which I hope my GP will discontinue soon. I was advised to drink a cup of bouillon, oxo, or marmite a day to increase my salt, and that resolved the dizziness.

I have lost 2 stone 6 pounds, and six inches off my waist. The ankle oedema and the wretched heartburn I used to have, went in the first week. My joints no longer ache. I feel fit and have much more energy. The muscle tone I have achieved will last, giving me strength and better balance for years to come.