Ladies and gentlemen, I gained twelve pounds in the three months immediately after my cheilectomy. DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! Gaining weight is as easy as relaxing on the couch with your foot on ice, sipping the consolation drink of your choice. Losing weight, especially after foot surgery, requires persistence and pain.
I have no excuse. I knew that, basically, if I ate more calories than I burned, I would gain weight. I also knew that my caloric expenditure would plummet with the foot surgery. I definitely did not pause to do the math. Here are the hard facts: Before the surgery I consumed a given quantity of food, and after the surgery I continued to consume pretty much the same amount. Before the surgery, I was dancing fairly vigorously at least three hours each week and either cycling, walking or jogging almost daily--- burning at least 3,500 kcal each week. Does 3,500 kcal sound familiar to you? For years, doctors, dietitians and fitness professionals have used this rule of thumb: cutting food intake by 3,500 calories will result in a 1 lb weight loss, and conversely, increasing food intake by 3,500 calories (or reducing 3,500 calories of exercise) will result in a 1 lb weight gain. Doctors, dietitians, and fitness professionals now know that it's a bit more complicated than that, but you get the idea. According to this old weight balance dogma, it was a no brainer that I would gain about one pound each week just from the elimination of vigorous exercise. On top of that, I'd gain even more pounds from the severe reduction in basic movements associated with daily living. Actually, it's a wonder I didn't gain more than twelve pounds!
Friends, don't let this happen to you! Do the math. Really. Calculate how many calories you are not burning in hard physical work or exercise during your recovery, and reduce your intake by at least that amount. Easier said than done, I know. I love cream in my coffee, a glass of wine with dinner, chocolate, and second helpings.
I know you're hurting and you want to reward yourself. You deserve to reward yourself! Just don't do it with food!
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Chiropractic Care for Cheilectomy: 16 Weeks after Surgery
Chiropractic Care?
One hundred twelve days (16 weeks) after my cheilectomy, my friend, Suzanne, suggested that I go to her chiropractor, a very nice man who also does amazing work with extremities. That sounded a bit weird. I have not been a big consumer of chiropractic care, but I felt abandoned by my physical therapist, and I trusted Suzanne. What could it hurt? Both the surgeon and my PT had said that basically, I might experience pain, but I won't hurt the toe joints or the repair.
Ten days after PT graduation the nice chiropractor manipulated and popped some of my toe joints. Nothing alarming. Then, he sat on the floor for a closer examination. His conclusion? Bad news. This may be hard to explain because I can't fully visualize it myself. He said that there seemed to be an imbalance in the way ligaments are pulling on that right big toe, and it is likely to lead to the development of a bunion on that foot if left uncorrected. He suggested that I seek out a good podiatrist who could fit me with an orthotic. Really??? NOT what I expected or wanted to hear. He may or may not be right. If it truly takes six to nine months to recover from this surgery, then it makes sense to me that it's just too early to tell. I plan to revisit his suggestion many months from now when my foot is fully healed and I know what my new normal really is. Four months into recovery is still early. Meanwhile, I'll go back to him a few more times. The work he did actually manipulating my foot seemed to be beneficial, and I'll take all the help I can get!
One hundred twelve days (16 weeks) after my cheilectomy, my friend, Suzanne, suggested that I go to her chiropractor, a very nice man who also does amazing work with extremities. That sounded a bit weird. I have not been a big consumer of chiropractic care, but I felt abandoned by my physical therapist, and I trusted Suzanne. What could it hurt? Both the surgeon and my PT had said that basically, I might experience pain, but I won't hurt the toe joints or the repair.
Ten days after PT graduation the nice chiropractor manipulated and popped some of my toe joints. Nothing alarming. Then, he sat on the floor for a closer examination. His conclusion? Bad news. This may be hard to explain because I can't fully visualize it myself. He said that there seemed to be an imbalance in the way ligaments are pulling on that right big toe, and it is likely to lead to the development of a bunion on that foot if left uncorrected. He suggested that I seek out a good podiatrist who could fit me with an orthotic. Really??? NOT what I expected or wanted to hear. He may or may not be right. If it truly takes six to nine months to recover from this surgery, then it makes sense to me that it's just too early to tell. I plan to revisit his suggestion many months from now when my foot is fully healed and I know what my new normal really is. Four months into recovery is still early. Meanwhile, I'll go back to him a few more times. The work he did actually manipulating my foot seemed to be beneficial, and I'll take all the help I can get!
Last PT - 14 weeks, 3 days after Cheilectomy
Physical Therapy--- Over?
Evidently, at 14 weeks, 3 days after my cheilectomy, I had made enough progress for my physical therapist to say goodbye. My big toe strength and range of motion in extension and flexion were back within normal limits, although not even close to my other big toe's range of motion.
I had mixed feelings about "graduation." I still experienced pain with movement. I couldn't walk more than 3 mph, couldn't do basic ballroom dance steps. Range of motion was not where I wanted it to be. It had been very beneficial to have someone with strong, knowing hands manipulate my toe joints, pushing them beyond my usual limits, giving me guidance, encouragement, and homework. Okay, to be honest, I felt a little abandoned. Suddenly, I was left to my own devices, encouraged to continue all of the daily stretch and strengthening exercises that had brought me this far. I was to trust the process, be patient and persistent.
I could do that, but I wanted more help with this seemingly never ending recovery process.
Evidently, at 14 weeks, 3 days after my cheilectomy, I had made enough progress for my physical therapist to say goodbye. My big toe strength and range of motion in extension and flexion were back within normal limits, although not even close to my other big toe's range of motion.
I had mixed feelings about "graduation." I still experienced pain with movement. I couldn't walk more than 3 mph, couldn't do basic ballroom dance steps. Range of motion was not where I wanted it to be. It had been very beneficial to have someone with strong, knowing hands manipulate my toe joints, pushing them beyond my usual limits, giving me guidance, encouragement, and homework. Okay, to be honest, I felt a little abandoned. Suddenly, I was left to my own devices, encouraged to continue all of the daily stretch and strengthening exercises that had brought me this far. I was to trust the process, be patient and persistent.
I could do that, but I wanted more help with this seemingly never ending recovery process.
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