Pants

[K8]

Since my surgery I have been bruised, sore, and swollen.  Since getting out of the hospital 17 days ago, I've been wearing underpants two sizes too big and loose pants of light fabric that are one size too big.  I didn't want anything binding.

The bruising is gone, but I am still swollen and sore.  I called the nurse who has been helping me through my recovery to complain about the swelling.  She said to take ibuprofen and wear constrictive clothing.  Huh?

So for the first time I put on cotton panties that fit and my jeans.  For the first time in my life I can wear women's pants and have them fit snugly and comfortably.  It is an amazing feeling.  I'm not sure if I'm still swollen and sore because I just feel too good.  Halleluiah!

- Kate

[FairyGirl]

haha *hugs* Kate!

[Kristyn]

The bruising is gone, but I am still swollen and sore.  I called the nurse who has been helping me through my recovery to complain about the swelling.  She said to take ibuprofen and wear constrictive clothing.  Huh?

Here's a tip for swelling--Bromelain.  Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple which has been proven to reduce swelling.  Try drinking some 100% pure pineapple juice--no additives, sugars or preservatives.  Tropicana 100% pure is good

Bromelain has a number of medical uses. It was first introduced in this area in 1957, and works by blocking some proinflammatory metabolites that accelerate and worsen the inflammatory process. In vitro research has shown that bromelain decreases migration of neutrophils to sites of acute inflammation, and in vivo bromelain has generated a 50-85% reduction in neutrophil migration.[2] It is an anti-inflammatory agent, and so can be used for sports injury, trauma, arthritis, and other kinds of swelling. Its main uses are treatment of athletic injuries, digestive problems, phlebitis, sinusitis, and aiding healing after surgery[citation needed]. Doses of 200 mg have proven to be an efficacious alternative to NSAIDS.

[V M]

Ibuprofen = Anti inflammatory

Snug panties = A sort of compress

Bromelain is found to work rather well and pineapple juice is tasty... Yum 

[Janet_Girl]

I am surprised that they did not advise you sooner.  Compression helps with swelling.

I have no problems with tight pants, even post-orchie.  But I long for the day that they fit more properly.

Good for you, Kate

[Miniar]

Here's a tip for swelling--Bromelain.  Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple which has been proven to reduce swelling.  Try drinking some 100% pure pineapple juice--no additives, sugars or preservatives.  Tropicana 100% pure is good

Bromelain has a number of medical uses. It was first introduced in this area in 1957, and works by blocking some proinflammatory metabolites that accelerate and worsen the inflammatory process. In vitro research has shown that bromelain decreases migration of neutrophils to sites of acute inflammation, and in vivo bromelain has generated a 50-85% reduction in neutrophil migration.[2] It is an anti-inflammatory agent, and so can be used for sports injury, trauma, arthritis, and other kinds of swelling. Its main uses are treatment of athletic injuries, digestive problems, phlebitis, sinusitis, and aiding healing after surgery[citation needed]. Doses of 200 mg have proven to be an efficacious alternative to NSAIDS.

This is the enzyme that causes you to feel a stingy, burn-y sensation in your mouth after eating a bit too much fresh pineapple.
While 100% pineapple juice "is" a good idea, if it doesn't cause the slightest bit of that sensation in the mouth, it's possible the pineapple was heated to a point where the enzyme was destroyed when the juice was made. This is also why canned pineapple doesn't have the enzyme intact.

I make smoothies, from scratch, and for 'em I buy bags of frozen fruit. The frozen pineapple bits I've got have given that burn-y, tingly sensation when I've eaten them plain, and thawed out, meaning the enzyme's still good even if it's been frozen.
So, I put 'em by the fist full in the blender with some orange juice and a banana or two (still frozen mind you) and blend 'em into a thick smoothie.
Is noms, and doesn't burn too much, even if you drink lots of it.

I think it has a positive effect on my backpain when it flairs up the worst, so there's no reason to think it won't help here.

Besides, it's Really delicious!

[Kristyn]

This is the enzyme that causes you to feel a stingy, burn-y sensation in your mouth after eating a bit too much fresh pineapple.
While 100% pineapple juice "is" a good idea, if it doesn't cause the slightest bit of that sensation in the mouth, it's possible the pineapple was heated to a point where the enzyme was destroyed when the juice was made. This is also why canned pineapple doesn't have the enzyme intact.

That's why I recommended Tropicana--it's fresh not frozen.  Smoothies are good, I've got to get into making those sometime

[Miniar]

That's why I recommended Tropicana--it's fresh not frozen.  Smoothies are good, I've got to get into making those sometime

The enzyme survives freezing, not heating.
And sometimes heat is involved in the processing of juice.

[V M]

That's one thing I miss about Calif. ... Fresh pineapples

The stingy taste in your mouth is not so bad... Actually I kinda liked it

[Kristyn]

The enzyme survives freezing, not heating.
And sometimes heat is involved in the processing of juice.

Gotcha'
Post Merge: May 14, 2010, 08:26:56 PM

That's one thing I miss about Calif. ... Fresh pineapples

The stingy taste in your mouth is not so bad... Actually I kinda liked it

Yeah!  Pineapples, nectarines, peaches, cherries, plums, kiwi.  I'd be in heaven.  I hear that in California there is a law that states if your fruit tress hang over onto public property, anyone is entitled to pick what they want just as they don't pick from your property.  They also have maps online that detail the best locations for certain fruits

[FairyGirl]

I make smoothies, from scratch, and for 'em I buy bags of frozen fruit. The frozen pineapple bits I've got have given that burn-y, tingly sensation when I've eaten them plain, and thawed out, meaning the enzyme's still good even if it's been frozen.
So, I put 'em by the fist full in the blender with some orange juice and a banana or two (still frozen mind you) and blend 'em into a thick smoothie.
Is noms, and doesn't burn too much, even if you drink lots of it.

I think it has a positive effect on my backpain when it flairs up the worst, so there's no reason to think it won't help here.

Besides, it's Really delicious!

oh yummy now you have me craving a pineapple smoothie! lol

[V M]

OMGoodness!!! Now I'm craving the pineapple pancakes this Samoan woman would make when I was young

*Drools*

Yes, as long as the fruits are over the property line, fence, etc. I would get avocados from a very old tree that hung over a bank parking lot and many other fruits from all over the neighborhood

[Kristyn]

OMGoodness!!! Now I'm craving the pineapple pancakes this Samoan woman would make when I was young

*Drools*

Mmmmm!  Gotta find a recipe for that!  I've got a good one for banana pancakes with a coconut milk topping!

[FairyGirl]

oh dear and here I was hoping to drop 5 pounds or so during surgery week due to being in too much pain to eat lol

[K8]

I lost about 5 pounds in Trinidad.  The hospital food was pretty bad and I didn't have much appetite.  Now my appetite is returning and unfortunately I've started gaining the weight back.  I walk every morning, about a mile now although I'm getting the energy to go farther.  I'm also fairly active during the day.

I put the on jeans and properly-fitting panties yesterday.  (The jeans just fit properly - they aren't real tight, but the fabric is fairly heavy and stiff.)  Today I wore the same combination and went to a six-hour conference, plus an hour drive each way.  I never would have made it before putting on the jeans, but I made it until the last hour when the business meeting started (boring) - I needed to move around, got some stabbing pains, and lay down while the meeting leader droned on.  Still, I drove the hour home comfortably.  I don't think I could have done that a couple of days ago before I started wearing the jeans and snug panties.

I have no idea if I would have been ready for the jeans earlier, but a lot of the discomfort of my chooch has gone now.  I don't know what this means, but I'm not going to question the gift of feeling pretty comfortable at last.

- Kate