Help! Is This Normal? Swelling!

[MissAwesome 4]

Hi everyone!

First of all, I can't base anything off of a weight because I haven't weighed in since my doctor made me give my scale up because it was making me neurotic. I stayed at the same weight for 14 days after surgery and was on liquids the whole time, no cheating, and no dairy/ cream Soups. And then I gained a pound and had a meltdown. So - I can only base this on circumstances.

I am wondering if this happened to anyone else: ever since I started soft foods last week and now have progressed to (mostly soft still but) fuller foods, my feet and ankles have been super swollen! I thought these days were over when I could see the bones in my feet after surgery!

Details: I don't salt food since surgery. If there is a lot of sodium in it, I avoid it unless impossible. I am not PMSing or pregnant. I had surgery 3.5 weeks ago. My diet: egg whites for bfast, grilled chicken for lunch, chicken (grilled or baked) or shrimp (cocktail- but no sauce) for dinner. I drink about 48 oz of Water a day and a half of an Isopure also. I know it's not enough Protein, but I feel like it's all I can fit. I am not sure if this has anything to do with it, but my doctor also told me to start taking my Vitamins last week, which also is when all of this started. And to add to it, since Monday (when I also conveniently ended up sick with a head cold), I have been getting diarrhea in the morning and at lunchtime (but not at night).

People keep telling me that I look like I am losing weight but I don't see it at all. I can't check the scale because I am afraid that I haven't lost anything with all of this swelling. I have a call in to the doctor but I am majorly freaking out.

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

This isn't normal. I'm glad you called your doctor. It's probably something minor but would be great to check it out.

[Webchickadee 716]

If you had swelling in ONE leg/ankle, I would say there is a chance you have a blood clot or vascular blockage of some kind. But with both legs, that seems less likely a possibility!

I agree with Dorrie........please make sure your doc checks you out as soon as possible!

Most common serious reasons for swelling of this kind (do not freak out when you read this list.....it's only a list!) is:

- high sodium intake (not likely, you said)

- blood clots/deep venous thrombosis

- renal impairment

- elevated blood pressure (could be due to renal impairment, or could be cause of renal impairment!)

- liver impairement or failure

- heart failure

It may be something completely unrelated to any of the things I've listed above, and easily resolved! In the meanwhile, why stress yourself out worrying about the possibilities........get things checked and our remove the stress!

Good luck and let us know how things are as soon as you can!

[Alithinos 19]

It seems like you should be getting in more Water too at this point. I could see 48 oz/day the first week, but you should be at 64 oz now. I wonder if dehydration is causing the swollen ankles and feet for you. I am currently at 264, so I deal with swollen ankles more regularly and am also looking forward to leaving that behind (along with foot pain).

[MissAwesome 4]

Thanks everyone for the comments. My surgeon deferred me to my pcp for the ankles. I am going in next week. In the meantime, I was told to up my Water intake, drink some green tea and make sure to get my Protein in because I am clearly not getting enough.

[MissAwesome 4]

Oh and also, on livestrong.com, there are some exercises to help reduce swelling of the ankles. So I will be doing that too. :-)