Friday, September 10, 2010

Fabulous Friday - Legs Edition

My appointment with the vein specialist yesterday went well.

As well as can be expected when you know walking in that varicose veins run in your family & you've already got them.

I learned quite a bit while I was there. Like the fact that all the things I'm currently doing to try & keep my legs as healthy as possible are the right things to do.

Elevate your legs after a long day? Check.
Take ibuprofen for pain? Check.
Walk to help increase blood flow? Check.

With all that, however, my insurance company requires a 3 month period of "conservative therapy". Which means that while I've been doing everything I should be that any corrective therapy (vein work) can't be done until I've worn a pair of medical grade compression stockings for 3 months.

The height of fashion, I tell you.

Thank God Fall is here, otherwise I wouldn't survive wearing these in the heat.

I'm supposed to wear these every day. Take a moment and envision me in these with my running shorts on working out.

Laughing yet? I am.

Probably not going to happen.

I will however, wear them as often as I can, especially when flying and when I'll be on my feet all day facilitating.

I found myself looking at these last night and thinking that if I could dye them jet black, I could potentially pull off the legging look with them. Then I remembered the pair of leggings I tried on in Target. Perhaps I was onto something there.

When I attempted to put these on this morning, I thought it would be a breeze. Like pulling on a pair of thick tights.

I forgot these are almost 40% spandex. Hahahahaha.

As I was bending and twisting and pulling and grunting Hayden & Pepe Cat sat in the doorway with their heads bent to the side. I'm sure they were wondering what I was doing that caused me to bend in funny positions and mutter obscenities under my breath.

I tugged & they didn't move.

I pulled and pulled. Not an inch.

I remembered the blue "helper" I was given to get them on. I used that to shroud my foot.

They moved an inch or so.

I scrunched down (anyone getting the vision of scrunchy socks?) and then attempted to smooth out.

Worked a bit more.

Finally, 15 minutes after I started they were on.

I looked ridiculous. My legs felt like sausages squeezed tight in a casing.

My legs were completely compressed...or encased, whichever way you want to think about it.

I have a feeling this will be a long three months.

Happy Friday, y'all!!!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dang, I had NO idea that was what it took to get treatment for veins! I have some veins starting to bulge out behind my knees and they gross me out so much!

The other day, I finished a run outside and was stretching in front of my building before going in. An older gentlman that's usually around the concierge desk in the mornings was outside having a cigarette, and he stood REAL CLOSE to me and was staring at my legs. So I asked him: "Yes?" And he said something along the lines of: "Your veins in your legs are really big, I'm checking them out." And I was like, "I know my veins are really big, and they bulge out after a run, don't worry about it." Creepy!

Do keep us updated on how it goes, I'm interested!

Dee Stephens said...

The veins run in my family too. I have a couple but that's it. My cousin A gets the treatments done pretty often even though they're expensive.
Not sure I could do the compression hose for that long. I hate wearing things tight around my waist.
Do they go up that far?

Anonymous said...

I had a boyfriend with a massive blood clot in his leg that left him pretty immobile for weeks. He ended up having to wear one of those stockings too. So think of it this way...you could be a dude with super hair legs and still have to wear them, lol.

Leslie @ A Blonde Ambition said...

Oh girl, I hear ya. Veins run in my family too and unfortunately, I'm already seeing some crop up below my knees.

Compression stockings (although not the most fashionable thing in the world) will definitely help though! Keep us updated on how everything goes!

Amber said...

I have a feeling I'll be right there with you at some point. I'm already starting to notice some questionable looking spots. So not cool.

Oh and I've missed you too ;-) I'm trying to get somewhat back in the blogging groove but probably won't be able to do it quite as much as I used to because of work.

Hope your weekend is awesome! xoxo

Ashley said...

ugh, 3 months!!
Luckily the insurance co doesnt have a camera on you at all times :)

Annie said...

oh my goodness, i hope they become easier to put on and hopefully after the 3 months it will have been worth it. i'm sure they don't look as bad as you think they do. they just look like nylons/tights although i know they don't feel like it. hope the 3 months goes quick hun.
have a good weekend!

bananas. said...

AHH HAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!!!!!

oh man thank GOD vericose veins don't run in my family. oh man i can't even imagine. PLEASE take a picture. thank you!

MCW said...

A friend I used to work with had to wear these as well. She said they helped!
Do they make your legs look thinner? Kind of like Spanx?

Jenny DB said...

How, exactly (may i ask) does the insurance company know whether you are religiously wearing these? not that i am, ehem , suggesting you cheat and NOT wear them while working out. Just saying i think i might not even chuckle but feel profoundly sorry for someone wearing those on a treadmill. i say this only from my recent experience wearing spankeez for the first time at a tradeshow. TERRIBLE... they were so awful i even sent a pic of me in my spanxx to my BF just to brighten up his day. that's how FUNNY they are. like FUNNy in an awful way :-) But i have to say, they worked haha. well good luck with your leggings, i def say go for black. maybe you could wear JUST the stockings in black.. you know... that'd be sexy ;-) xoxo

Unknown said...

You can do it!!! Good luck girly:-) Funny post, but yes it's a good thing it's fall. Maybe wear some cute workout fitted pants? I love mine!

LWLH said...

Forget the gym it seems like enough of workout just trying to get them on. :)

Brittany Ann said...

Oh ick! I'd feel so claustrophobic! You're a better woman than me!

Gwen said...

Holy Cow!!! Three months of compression stockings during the summer would be pure torture. Maybe they will keep you warm. LOL!!! Good luck. Can't wait to hear how you are progressing!!! XOXO

d.a.r. said...

Three months?? Wowsers!! Good luck wrestling them on!

Jen | Our Life Accounts said...

I have a relative that has to wear those compression socks year round, they really do help but they are super tough to get on, I think she uses rubber kitchen style gloves to get them on.