Fat Foot (aka early lymphedema)

So, one of the problems that is sorta linked to obesity (but really just exacerbated by it) is my fat foot. My right foot is constantly swollen - specifically on the top of my foot and my toes. After going to my primary care physician, then a podiatrist, then a pulmonary specialist/surgeon...the result was you probably have early lymphedema, but we're not actually going to test for it because the test is very painful, and the course of treatment would be the same.

1. Lymphedema is a fluid retention caused by poor circulation. (I'm not doctor, but this is what I gather from what I've been told and/or the internet.)

2. The test for lymphedema is sticking needles between the webbing of each of your toes.

3. The course of treatment is to wear compression stockings, and/or lose weight. Weight loss will ameliorate the symptoms.

So, in addition to all of this, when visiting the podiatrist to try and figure this crap out, it was discovered that I have arthritis in one toe. Yep, that's right. The second toe on my right foot...my fat foot. Because of this, and the pressure of the swelling, walking for long periods of time, or being on my feet all day, can hurt a lot faster than if I was sedentary. Not really conducive to losing weight. (It hampers it, but doesn't eliminate it - there are always ways to work around that.) Some of the swelling in that toe specifically (it looks the worst of all of those little piggies) is related to the arthritis.... But unfortunately the rest of my foot can't truly be affected by that.

In addition, I've had this for 7 years now.

Even with losing weight and gaining weight and losing weight (sound familiar?), there has been no significant reduction in its obnoxiousness. For the most part it is just unsightly - one puffy foot sticking out of a heel, the other fine and dandy. But, like I said, it can be uncomfortable and painful with some regularity.

The reason I bring this up is that it's one of the things that I hope will get better with the surgery. And it's on my mind because it's hurting right now, lol~

My other chief obesity-related complaint is asthma, but that's for another day and another post, which will most likely be twice as long.