sophrosyne

Wow, this place has changed since the last time I logged on. I'm still waiting to get an okay for the lap-band -- it was supposed to be okayed in January, but now the gastroenterologist has pushed it back to June. Sigh. Anyway, this is really off-topic, but it's an important request. So I hope you don't mind my posting it. And the reason I got involved to begin with, is because both my stepdaughter and my friend's baby was born extremely premature and I remembered what she and her husband went through during those fragile, emotionally fraught months. Over the past seven decades, millions of babies have been saved from death or disability thanks to advances made by March-of-Dimes funded scientists. But we still have a long way to go. Every year, over a million babies don't get what they need to survive. Half a million are born prematurely, another 150,000 are born with birth defects. March of Dimes is on a mission to save as many babies as possible and give them the best start in life. Even if they have to bring mobile units to pregnant women to provide them with prenatal care. In addition to their work with polio and pioneering life-saving cures for newborns, they also help support families who have a premature baby in the NICU. I'm doing the March of Dimes walk this month, and I'd love to get your support. If you can donate anything at all, please do. It's a one-time donation for the entire walk, it's not a per-mile donation. If you can, please go to my web page on March of Dimes and make your donation. The url is: http://www.marchforbabies.org/christianamiller If you come up with an error message, just hit 'refresh' on your browser and it should take you right there. If you know anyone who might be interested in donating, please forward my post on to them. Thank you! Christiana

Thanks for all the good wishes. My boss is actually a real sweetheart. She tells me to get up and stretch every hour. But I am thinking about going to see a doctor, before I do any permanent damage. In the meantime, I think I'll try the mouse on the left hand at work. I know my right shoulder's never going to get any better unless I can stop using it for awhile.

Is Mercury in Retrograde? I've been having just an unbelievably shitty streak. Can I even say that word in here? I went to my doctor, and he told me I've got very severe gastritis. The kind that's going to take at least a year to heal and might very well never heal. So, for at least the next year (or the rest of my life) I'm on meds 2x a day and have to stay on a completely bland diet. Oh, and the only acceptable beverage is Water. Water. Not even decaf beverages. AND NO LAP-BAND until the gastritis is healed. But what if it doesn't heal? Then I went to work, and found out the repetitive work stress has completely blown out my shoulder. To the point where it's starting to be painful to type. And forget about mousing. The minute I start working, the pain starts up. But they've changed the databases at work to make them more mouse-intensive, and they've tripled my work load. And really? Not being able to use a computer? That's gonna kill me. Not only am I on the computer for my day job, but also when I get home. My boss says that I shouldn't go to a doctor for it, because they'll just want to do cortisone shots in my shoulder and that's a slippery slope, so I've been seeing a chiropractor every week, but it's not helping. And then, I went to Target to exchange a gift I don't need, but they won't take it back because 1) It cost $24.99, which is $4.99 over their limit and 2) I no longer have the receipt, because the baby trashed it. Their new return policy is not to take back anything that costs more than $20. Even if it's new, unopened, and scans as their item. When I tried to call Target and complain, I got outsourced to India. It was like talking to a freaking wall. I tried to email Target and they're unreachable via email. Seriously, we handled a product for Target once. A few years ago. (I should have kept the damn number). They insisted we get it made in China for under a quarter, and they were going to sell it for $20. So, if you're wondering why, no matter how many contaminated products get shipped out of China, we'll never stop using them? That's why. China runs sweatshop factories, their per unit cost is well under a dollar (sometimes as low as just pennies or fractions of pennies), and the mark-up when it gets here, is enormous. So, for all the complaining that things made in the US cost more, the only reason the consumer needs to pay more is because of corporate greed. All these companies want to keep making the same percentage of profit as they do when they import from China. And then, when I came home, I found $104 worth of stuff that I didn't order and now have to mail back. And then I checked my email to see that one of my best friends is moving back to Chicago with her husband and baby. And my other friend, who's dying of cancer, is throwing a big party and the people who she considers her nearest/dearest, have decided to boycott it. On the grounds that they see her all the time anyway. I don't know if they've told her yet, or if they're just planning to surprise her with their absence. It's just been a really, really shitty day.

Thanks, I'll give that a try...

I'd get a second opinion on the Bypass vs. Band in regards to a hiatal hernia. Either that, or make an appt to sit down with your doctor and have him tell you, in detail, why he doesn't think a band will work. Surgeons get paid more by the insurance companies for the bypass, so they seem to push it much harder, even when it's unncessary (as in, a lapband will fix the problem). Everyone I know who had a hiatal hernia was able to get it surgically repaired at the same time the band was installed. It just meant a bit longer on the recovery time.

Hmmm. My GI guy won't let me get a lap-band until the gastritis is resolved.

I went for an endoscopy before the band, and was diagnosed with severe gastritis. The doctor said that I need to wait at least 6 months and possibly a year before I get the band. But definitely 6 months. The scary thing is, I used to feel the acid reflux, but after a year off meds and a c-section, my stomach went numb for almost a year. I mean, I thought I was cured. The Dr. said that my gastritis is so severe, there's a possibility it will never heal. Is anyone else dealing with something like this? What does it mean for the Lap-Band? Also, what kind of diet are you on? The dr. told me no caffeine, no decaf coffee, no alcohol, no spicy foods and told me to look up diet stuff on the internet, under severe gastritis. But I really wasn't able to find what I was looking for. Most of the entries were about dogs. Anyway, I have another endoscopy scheduled for January, and then (possibly) the lap-band.

In order to get approved for this surgery (which, to the best of my knowledge, is the only cosmetic weight loss related plastic surgery that is approved and paid for by insurance) all you need (from what I've heard) is for your belly flap to hang down over your pubic bone. You don't need to give yourself a painful rash or infection.

Okay, just a surreal moment here... There are at least TWO threads warning people against Betancourt and Dr. Huacuz(sp?). On one of these threads, BubbleButt says she actively warns people against this surgeon. But there is also at least ONE thread saying that this same doctor is the BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD. So, depending on which thread you have the fortune (or misfortune) of reading, you're totally screwed.

Yes, please point me to this website. Seriously.

Sarah Jessica Parker is coming out with a new line of clothing from size 2 to 22 and it's totally stylish/cute/sexy and so cheap it's almost free. It premieres June 7 at Steve and Barry stores. An entire outfit costs under $30. (And I think that even includes the shoes!). Jeans are $14. You can even get a winter coat for under $20. Her motto is that fashion isn't a privilege, it's a right. So it should be affordable for all women. The line is called "Bitten". Here's the website: BITTEN | Sarah Jessica Parker

I know ten people who have gone to Dr. Paya for their surgeries and they all seem pretty happy.

Unfortunately, it's hard to do "research" on doctors. Whether they're here or in Mexico. For everyone promoting research, please, fill me in on how this research is done. I have the ability to do more research on certain segments of doctors than most of the population, because of the profession I'm in. Without access to the databases I use, without access to the hundreds of medical professionals who will be more upfront with me than they will be with the average joe, without access to the lawyers I know and their databases and court access... Please, tell me how the average person can do this research? All the Med Board tells you is if someone's licensed or if they've had malpractice suits. No details. And I've seen people post on boards, asking about doctors (including this board) and get no response. And doctors generally don't give you patient lists so you can chat with former patients. For the horrific story about the poor woman who is now dying from her surgeon's incompetence... what surgery was it (hope it wasn't lapband). And why wasn't the name of her surgeon/hospital mentioned? It's one thing to share horrific experiences, but why not blow the whistle on who the incompetent bastard was? Even in forums that share horror stories, there are not many people who will take the extra step and name the offender/s. So, how exactly are people supposed to research doctors? Especially doctors in other countries? P.S.: Me, personally, I would never go to Mexico or India or the Phillipines for surgery. It has nothing to do with their skills, but my own personal hang-ups. Which says that if I can't drink the Water because my body wouldn't be able to handle the bacteria, then the last thing I want is my body surgically open and defenseless against any native bacteria that might seep in.

Two months? I was hoping for two weeks! LOL! You were awake for your colonoscopy? Last time I had an endoscopy, they gave me some stuff that put me right out. And from what the doc was saying, I'd be out again for the two simultaneous oscopies. Sigh. Not looking forward to it. Grrrr. I guess I should have started the process earlier! Oh well. The longer it takes to get the surgery, the older the baby will be and the more able she'll be to climb up on things herself, without me lifting her.

So, if I get an okay on June 18 from the GI guy, how long do you think it'll take to get banded? Hubby wants us to go to Chicago in July, but I don't want to go if it means putting off the surgery! How long does it take usually between the endoscopy and the surgery? How come there are smileys between each letter when I try to edit my post? That's weird!) And what's up with the little symbols at the bottom?

The endoscopy is for all the damage severe GERD did during the pregnancy, while I wasn't allowed to take any meds. After delivery, it's taken me a year to be able to swallow meats. So they want to see if the lapband is viable (the surgeon's been pushing for a bypass). The colonoscopy is 'cause my dad died of colon cancer. I've never had that done before, so I guess it's good to get it done. :/ I just wish it was all being done sooner. Everyone around me is losing weight like crazy from the lapband!

So, how about those Cubs? I swear if it wasn't for all the testing, I'd have that dang lapband by now.

Is it just me, or does anybody else hate the new layout?

<insert Jeapardy theme music>... My, on this board of thousands, am I the only one to ever be scheduled for a simultaneous endo/colonoscopy? Now, that worries me! I started on Nexium, to try to heal whatever damage I have going on in there, so that the lapband gets okayed... <return to Jeapardy theme music...>

The problem is the twin 9 month daughters. You won't be able to lift them for 6-8 weeks, depending on their weight (I would also check this with your doctor). So, you'll have to find other ways to care for them. Like diapering them on the floor instead of lifting them to the changing table. But it depends on weight. I have a 15 month old daughter who weighs 30 lbs., and I know I'm not going to be able to lift her for 6-8 weeks after surgery. It's the only part I'm not looking forward to, because she's not going to understand! So I plan to spend a lot of time on the floor and I'll just have to get my husband to lift her out of her crib.

So, before I can get a lapband, I have to go get an endoscopy/colonoscopy done in a few weeks. Both procedures are going to be done simultaneously. Has anyone else here done that? What should I expect? watch out for? be prepared with? I've had an endoscopy done once, 14 years ago, but never a colonoscopy. Do they normally do them simultaneously?

All you can do, really, is institute a main entrance with metal detectors and security guards. No student or teacher needs to enter school property with a gun or ammunition vest. And, while we're used to the freedom to come and go as we please, perhaps colleges should start instituting the same security measures high schools have. As to people being bad... I think *most* people are inherently good. Just look at those teachers who sacrificed their own lives to protect their students. However, there is a large part of the population with mental disorders. More than you might think. And of those, there's a much smaller percentage who are (or have the potential to be) violent criminals. I've been researching psycopaths/sociopaths recently and I've been amazed at what I've found. Odds are, we ALL know people who fit into that category, who leave us baffled by their actions. And most of them aren't criminals, but all of them should be avoided like the plague. Between education of what warning signs to look out for, and common-sense precautions, (and maybe some - dare I say it - gun control), I think we'd have fewer incidents like these. Or at least, I'd hope we'd have fewer.

LOLOLOLOL! :clap2: What indeed? I've been on lists where people do exactly that. They're usually called trolls, as their sole purpose is to try to shut down the list. Or they're looking for attention, hoping people will beg them to stay on. I'm not saying that's the case here, but in general.

LOL! Me too! And it took me years to forgive my mom for constantly reinforcing how horrendously and humiliatingly fat I was, when I was really maybe only 20-30 lbs overweight. And to accept the fact that I created my own self-fulfilling prophecy. Regardless of my actual reality, I thought I was fat, so I became fat. So, in the end, I have to take responsibility for allowing myself to accept my mother's view of reality, and then making it real.

I think it has to do with expectations. When you lost the weight on your own, you weren't expecting to get down to a model-sized body. So you saw the changes in a positive light, as a pleasant surprise, and were pleased. After WLS, your subconcsious mind has the expectation that now, the weight's going to come off immediately, and it does expect a model-sized body when you look in the mirror. So, now, when you look in the mirror, you're not pleasantly surprised by how much weight you lost. All you can see is how much more you still need to lose. Because your reality and your expectations have become so separate from one another. Your expectations are what keeps you from seeing your success and what keeps you focused on your perceived failure. For instance, when I look at old photos of myself, with the expectation that they're going to be horrendous, I'm pleasantly surprised that they're really not as bad as all that. But when I look at a current photo, with the expectation that it's going to show what an attractive, thin person I really am (the one I see on the inside of my head) I'm appalled at what the photo winds up showing me. A heavy-set woman with a double-chin, who's aged enormously in the last 10 years. It's all in the expectations.