Sphinx

Hi, yes I have actually gotten a few things there. It's hit or miss though whether or not they have styles I feel comfortable wearing. Dots can be ok too, but Junior Plus sizes don't always fit my hips well. IT's my 'baby-birthin' hips!

So if u eat something like Peanut Butter, or something spicy, you can't have even a tiny sip to clear your mouth? What do other people do if they eat food like that?

Just saw this thread, glad somebody brought it up and hope people continue to check it out. I have fibro too, as well as RA and a handful of other crap (interstitial cystitis, bipolar, gerd, ibs). As for exercise I'd recommend to anyone with fibro to get a referral to a physical therapist. That's how I started, and it helped me slowly get into exercise. My PT has a "bridging program" that allows you continue to use their gym (doing all the exercises they started me on) for a low monthly fee with no contract. There's always PTs and PTAs around for help. The cardio stuff (bike, Nu-Step) actually help the fibro and fatigue. It's just a matter of getting started.. And if I let too much time go by its hard to go again. I too work (part time) and spend most of my off time "recovering" so exercise is hard. Once I'm there I'm ok. Someone mention Provigil, my psychiatrist prescribes it for me. Mostly for severe fatigue caused by whatever number of problems I have. It's better than caffeine, and doesn't keep u awake at night. It's helped the fibro fog SO much. I haven't had surgery yet, and one of my biggest worries is not being able to exercise for a little bit after surgery, cuz like I said, it's hard to go back!

The Goodwill nearest me has very little plus sizes and I'm not sure where there's a Salvation Army. However, my son told me about Savers and I went there. They had a ton of plus sizes! I got a couple tops there and I'd definitely go back. I wish we had a plus size consignment store around. We have a Clothes Mentor but have barely a rack of plus sizes :/ I did end up getting stuff on e-bay. I got 2 scrub tops for work (but need pants to match one of them, haha), and 2 lots of tops. But with the lots, there's always going to be something you don't like or doesn't fit. I was lucky in that it all fit. There's a couple tops that aren't "me" but I'll either ask my mom if she wants them or bring them to work for our clothing closet. Of course, I didn't think I'd win all of what I did, so I ended up spending more than I intended, lol! I still need pants. Pants have always been my nemesis so that's always an issue! I did find nice scrub pants that fit but they are more expensive I can't afford more than one at a time! Thank to everyone for the great ideas! I'll keep them all in mind. A good deal of what I got on ebay is short sleeve....I can wear them now, and some will look good with a long sleeve top underneath. So I'll still be looking for more cold weather clothing.

They don't have Ross in my area, unfortunately! Although I never thought to check online, maybe I'll try that....most places have online stores too, so I'll take a look.

I've never even heard of Cato, so I guess that's out Unless they are online?

I'm guessing you didn't find anything? That's ok, I appreciate the thought! I bought a top on sale last week at Avenue and it cost $29. That's too much considering I'm hoping to soon NOT be in that size, lol! But it was on sale and I was desperate. Today I got a top on sale for $20. I'm not trying to be cheap but boy, oh boy! I'm back looking on ebay at the clothes lots. Before, if the lot had several items and only a few I liked I'd think oh why spend the money. But I'm trying to add it all up, cuz if I come out ahead it's ok, and can always give away items that's aren't "me"! Now the challenge is to find my size.....seems they're all either xl or 3x. Typical!

I've not had my surgery yet, but have had other surgeries and am also a nurse. You should never put any kind of cream directly on an incision until it is healed. The itching you are feeling is most likely the result of healing. When the area under the incision starts to heal it forms scar which can be intensely itchy. Not much helps. If after you are healed it bothers you try breaking open a Vitamin e capsule and rubbing it on, or get a tiny tube of aquaphore. Now if it is the skin surrounding the incision that itches, like where the adhesive from the steri strips or other tape is, you may have a mild sensitivity to the adhesive. Scrubbing adhesve off skin doesn't do much, but you can put a couple drops of baby oil or mineral oil on a cotton ball and rub to remove excess adhesive, gently wash off with a mild soap, pat dry and if you need to, then apply either some sort of hydrocortisone cream or benedryl cream, keeping off the actual incision. If you find you are scratching and can't stop try a tiny bit of oral benedryl in a pinch.

Thank you! Feeling way more confident now.....

So today I dropped off the form at my PCP for her to fill out before my seminar and initial appointment at the surgeon. I'd been worried about qualifying since I don't have any co-morbidities that my insurance recognizes. I've actually been trying to edge up a few pounds to get close to BMI of forty, which seems so counterproductive! I figured I'd wear my heaviest pair of shoes, since most doc appointments weigh me with my shoes on. Well she made me take them off to get an accurate height as well. I wanted to cry when I saw my weight, knowing it would not be close enough. Well, blow me over with a feather, turns out I'm an inch shorter than I thought! (no slouching either lol)! So my BMI is actually 40.6! Apparently, even though my insurance does have you do 3-6 month program with the surgeon, they don't require the 5% weight loss, so I won't have to worry about dropping below 40. It's good to be "fun sized" I guess!

I don't remember actually being measured at 5'4" so it must have been a while back. I didn't think I'd shrink til I was older, lol! No complaints here.... Oh and I haven't gotten my 'official' approval from insurance yet.....but if I were to go below 40 I wouldn't even be able to complete the program. But insurance says over 4. I've also tried weight watchers, south beach, zone, phen fen and a million calorie restricted diets, as well as gym programs. Those are the things my insurance looks for, and completion of the 6 month program with the surgical center (nutritionist, etc). Congrats to you on your weight loss! That's so amazing!

Well, I'm LOLing at the name, but checked it out and may try it! Anything that may help!

TMI: I've struggled with this a while but it occurred to me I can ask for imput here. When I am active (at work, the gym) I sweat so bad in my groin, underwear gets wet and it smells (duh, it's sweat lol!) I've tried pads which helps a little but doesn't cover the whole areas I sweat! I use powder but it only freshens doesn't stop the sweating, and besides, I don't carry it around with me! So my question is, for anyone else who may deal with this, do you have any suggestions short of changing my underwear 5 times a day (haha)?!

Thanks, can't remember if I tried on any landau? I'll check it out!

I am curious about people who have RA who have been banded. First, if you are on a DMARD or biologic, did you have to go off it for a long period of time to prevent infection with the surgery? Also, has the surgery and subsequent weight loss helped the pain any? I have my seminar in 2 weeks and definitely want to get banded, as long as my insurance company cooperates, so I am just curious. Also, I have Fibromyalgia too. Anyone with find that the stress of surgery makes RA or Fibro flare up?

I realize now maybe I should have posted my uniform question in the nurses group, but the group doesn't seem to be getting much traffic still. Anyhoo, I have tried several on at stores. The Core Stretch is a bit tight in the thighs in a 2x but worse it rides too low in back. They didn't have any in 3x I could try. I like the Cherokee Luxe most so far, of course they are more expensive The 2x again, is a bit snug in the thigh. They had a 3x which was nice and roomy but too long. I could have the hemmed but it's cheaper and easier to just order the shorter cut online. I hate to spend the money since I am hoping to be banded in a few months (if all goes well with my insurance) but my black scrub pants I have now are worn in the thighs from rubbing. Sigh.....

I assume you are talking about a stick deodorant I have actually tried spray deodorant (while covering the lady bits heehee) with only mild success, but I'll try a stick. I honestly didn't think I was going to get any response since a few days had gone by, so thank you both! I was starting to feel a little weird for posting something so gross haha!

I'm ok with tops, it's pants that are an issue. Ugh. How do their pants fit? Thanks, I'll look them up! Are they comfy?

I know that when my turn comes, I'll definitely be taking a good amount of time! I'm sure the surgery will make my fibro flare (stress to the body always does) and will probably have to hold my RA med that month too so will be feeling a big painful mess! But I agree, nurses are the worst patients! In rehab I seem to get a lot of nurses both working and retired, and most are definitely NOT the best patients!

I'm glad things have worked out for you, Lena

Really hate that just because my BMI is just over 38 that I have to have a specific comorbidity for my insurance to pay. I have plenty of health problems but not directly linked to my weight. My insurance recognizes even a couple less than some insurances. Like 5 pounds or so and I will be a hair under 40 and will be ok per the insurance coordinator at the clinic. However my insurance apparently does not require the 5% loss while I go through the 6 month pre-surgical program. So basically I have decided to stop trying to lose for now and eat the way I had been. I figure if I can eat lots of salty crap before I weigh in I could squeak by, but for 6 months? I have no doubt that if I continue as I am without dieting I can reach 40 but it seems so stupid I have to gain to lose! I know if I tried I could lose a little weight on my own but doubt I could get below 35 and keep it off! I feel strongly that the band is the tool I need in my weight loss journey but I feel I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I am scheduled for an eval at a sleep clinic but not until the end of November! If I do get dx with OSA I can try and lose the few pounds before surgery. But who knows. I'm seriously considering doing the Mexico thing but not sure anyone here would do the fills. Plus if anything goes wrong I'm a wee bit screwed. I just wish I could keep weight off once I lose. But ever since the early 90's I keep gaining. I managed to lose a great deal of weight around 2001 or so but over the next several years gained most of it back. This is getting me down. I need clothes so badly and can't find what I want in a size that fits. :/ Am I nuts? Has anyone ever felt this way? Has anyone gained a few pounds just to qualify? I really need some support.

Fellow nurses.....I am looking for some scrubs in my size and having a hard time finding things that feel comfortable to me. The cute stylish scrubs are typically fit for "junior" plus sizes which are big, yes, but don't do as much to accommodate my baby-bithin' hips What I have now are draw string with side pockets (not the unisex kind) which are nice because you can loosen or tighten the string....but find that that ride high in the front and low in the back...esp when I am sitting. I am in a 2x and to get into something more comfortable in that particular style I am having to go up a size, and even then it's not great! Do you have specific brands that you feel fit plus size well? Where do you buy them?

Well, while the Voltaren is absorbed some into your system, it is still less than oral NSAIDS. Best bet is just to run it by your doctor to be sure. If he would like you to stop it, I use Arnica gel. I don't believe it has that same effect, of course it doesn't work quite as well either haha! Then there's also stuff like icy hot in a pinch. Or ask your doc about trying Lidoderm Patches if you haven't already tried those. Seems they work better on knees than other areas, so it may be helpful for you. Good luck!

Hello! I found this forum when doing some on-line research. I am only now starting to think about having this surgery. A few years ago my primary doc brought it up, but I left it on the back burner. I have a new doc now and am nervous to even bring it up to her. I have been up and down with my weight....I lose some and gain it back. One time I managed to lose 100# over the course of a year or 2 but it slowly started creeping back on and now I am about 20# less than my starting weight from that time. But now I have more health issues that I am not even sure would preclude me from the surgery. Because of having RA I take a lot of meds, plus fibromyalgia and bipolar disease and interstitial cystitis. I know a couple of these meds can contribute to weight gain, but can't stop taking them without a lot of pain, etc. Without these meds I don't function so til now I've just thought weight gain was a necessary evil. I exercise but it doesn't help the weight, although does help a bit with pain, yet if I overdo it my pain is worse. So it's not like I can do a lot more than I do now. Whenever I try it sets me back. I hesitate to bring the surgery up to my doc for fear of being shot down, don't want to get my hopes up. My BMI is less than 40 (38) so not sure if I'd even qualify. I know I need to talk to my doc. Is there anybody here with similar health issues that has any insight or suggestions? Thanks