vinesqueen

Xann, you are not at a good fill level, so it is possible that you need another fill. I'd wait until after you are done with your period because while some women get much tighter, others find that their band loses restriction. If you continue to feel like a Turtle, then I highly recommend talking to your doctor. Explian your story, and that you need additonal help. It might be that they recommend metabolic testing, thyroid testing or getting a cortisol level.

may the cities in your wake, burn like candles on you cake!

Hippo birdies, two ewes! Happy birthday Pat!

Well, I've withdrawn from school today. Still not sure how I feel about that. Releived and sad I suppose. My cohort got me a beautiful book on Monet, they all signed it like a year book. They gave it to me at lunch, and they all showed up. I thought that was very nice of them. My DH will be here in a couple of hours so we can begin packing up my apartment completely. Releieved and sad there too. I posted a question on the OHSU web site, asking a question of one of their docs, and I have a phone consult at 9:30 on a Friday night! The medical school there is one of the top facilities in the country for Cushings... Of all the wildness....

Hello Audra! The week or two before banding is so very hard for many bandsters and bandsters to be. I know I thought i was going to wear a hole in my carpet from all the pacing I was doing! PMS and the pre-launch phase and the added stress are gonna make you crazy and a big cry baby. (I feel justified in saying "big cry baby" because that's where I am right now, a big cry baby ) And it sure doesn't help when your coping mechanism is no longer available to you. You might try the viactive soft chew vitamines, they come in a variety of flavors, including chocolate. Other people find that a small square of really dark chocolate will help, without the added fat and calories that milk chocolate brings. Personally, I'm one of the one that can eat just one dark dove square and be good for the next little while. (I've had to throw out chocolate because it got dusty) Just know that what you are going through is very common, and know too that you are not alone.

Hi Michelle! My husband was banded before me, and lost about 180 pound his first year. Yes, that's right, one hundred eighty pounds. Since April I've lost a total of 15 pounds. I want you to keep your chin up Michelle! You never know, you might turn out to be a rabbit once you get your fill level right for you! (keeping my fingers crossed for you.) 3 pounds in 3 weeks is not bad! Not by a long shot. I know, however, that it can be very, very difficult when you compair yourself against a rabbit, or when other people compair you against a rabbit. I also know it is nearly impossible to not compair your weight loss journey against someone else's. But keep in mind that we are here for you, Turtle or Rabbit or Normie! Now you just have to build some good bandster habits and you will be golden!

Hello Michelle! Welcome to LBT! Please don't be so hard on yourself! You've had a fill for 2 entire weeks, and many people don't see a change in the scale until their first or second fill. Sarah, aka Marimaru, was right on with her advice. You need to change one thing at a time. Drinking while eating is the easiest way to eat around the band! And I know, it is such a habbit to eat and drink at the same time! So hard to break, but it is something that we really need to work on. Once you feel comfortable with not eating and drinking, the next phase I would recommend is setting the timer for 20 minutes. You can eat huge amounts of food in one sitting if you take enough time! Once you cut that down to 20 minutes (hard and fast) you will have cleared a MAJOR hurdle, and created a major new habit. You can do this. WE know you can, because we have faith in you. If you fall down, pick yourself up and keep going. We will be here to cheer you on! No matter what, we are here for you.

I really needed to read all your kind words again. They are such a comfort for me right now. I can't rmember the name of the lab I had the work done at, the clinic won't return my calls, and yp.yahoo.com can't help with directions like " the lab next to the dr.s office" especially when it is in the neighborbood of lots of labs and doctors' offices. I still don't have any test results, they still haven't come in the mail. Any mail. I have resigned myself to not getting any word until the middle of next week, since I'll be driving most of Sunday and Monday. LaReine, I had to laugh about the tulips. I lived up in Skagit county for several years and never made it once to the festival, but I sure went before and after to have the fields to myself. This year was the first time since I've been away that I got home in time to see all my crocus bulbs in the lawn. I obviously need to plant many more bulbs.

Questions, questions, questions. That's all I have. I have no answers, but I'm looking for them with my questions, questions and more questions. How many Turtles have been diagnosed with PCOS? How many Rabbits and Nomies have been diagnosed with PCOS? Is there a connection between being a Turtle and having this diagnosis? A few days ago, the question of whether PCOS was a red herring for Cushing's was raised on that board. And it's got me thinking and asking more questions. In many cases, a diagnosis of PCOS is made by looking at a list of symptoms and if you have X% of the symptoms, you are told you have PCOS wether or not you actually have the "string of pearls," the string of cysts on your overies. So many of the symptoms of Cushing's and PCOS overlap, with additonal symptoms for Cushing's. I have to wonder how many women who've been diagnosed with PCOS have Cushing's.

I'm right there with your Sarah! It completely sucks that we have to be more educated than our doctors. But when I was first diagnosed with asthma, I had a young doc fresh out of medical give me the best advice - he told me that I would have to become an expert in my body, that I would have to know it inside and out, that I would have to become an expert in my asthma since I have to live with it, or die. So, I've taken that same approach to the Cushing's. I think part of the problem Sarah, is that we are not responding like we should. That because it is sooooo far out of the ordinary that docs aren't used to dealing with special folks like us. They see patients for what? 5 or 10 minutes and send us on our way. They don't, won't, can't take the time that it really requires to really understand the problem. But that's why we have to PUSH for answers. We have to be the squeeky wheels, we have to get the attention we NEED not just want. Metabolic disorders are really rare, so when doctors are presented by a bonifide Turtle, they jsut don't know what to do with us. We present a problem they don't know how to treat, because we don't respond the way they expect. Cushing's is thought to occur in .001% to .0025% of the population. TINY little number. Most endocrinolgists don't even see a Cushing's patient, so how can we expect to get the best care from a general practice doc?

just for fun, I decided to see what Greek God I was... I am Zeus, Hermes and Aries, all rolled into one! So, that would be... Athena! http://www.paleothea.com/zeus.html http://www.paleothea.com/hermes.html http://www.paleothea.com/ares.html

Okay, Angel, that prolactin, that's a sign of cushing's as is the tumor they saw! http://cushings.invisionzone.com/index.php? is the address for a cushing's support board. I'm finding it very useful, if a little confusing at first. It uses a different board structure there. LOTS of good information there. There are several blood and urine tests that need to be done. Did they do any follow up tests? I know that from what I've learned on that board is that it is hard to diagnose it, because there are several forms it takes. As for cortisol testing, push for it!

But my dear, you have been feeling invisbile, at least to the available male population. I don't think it is strange at all that you would be stopped to caputure your likeness, our weight has no bearing on our beauty. If we are beautiful at 400 pounds, then we will be beautiful at 300, 200 or somewhere in the 100s. And if you get that sort of attention now, you will only garner more attention as you become less invisible to the greater population.

what a sad week Megan! I am so glad that Lulu found her way to you, and I'm so sorry about your grandmother.

Sometimes we forget what a "real" portion size is. I know you were freaked out because you ate an egg and a piece of toast. An egg has about 70 calories, and a piece of toast, depending on the size of bread of course, has about 45 calories. Butter and jam add to the calories of course. So, if you have an egg, a piece of toast with a little butter, your meal will be under 200 calories, and a typical meal, assuming you are sticking to 1200 calories, should be at least 300 calories. We get this weird idea that we should be satisfied eating a few tablespoons of food for an entire meal, when in reality that rediculous for bandsters, unless they are super tight. Clementine, I am so sorry you are having a difficult time getting your band just right. It very well could be that you have a leak, or your fill person didn't have the experience. Or it could have been that you were imporperly fitted with the wrong sized band. And I agree with Kelly that just because a person weighs X that they should automatically get Y band. The one size fits all fits none theory applies here. You must get over your being shy because you are the only one that can speak for you, the only one that can push for you. You must take control of the situation, and if you don't feel restriction, then you ask to make sure there is no leak. The band is all about making a lifestyle change. We have to work it, not the other way around. 30 pounds since November isn't bad, but I don't know how long this plateau has been. You've been working out, so undoubtably, you are changing your body composition, muscle weighs more than fat. Have you dropped inches? Many people report that when they are not losing pounds they are losing inches. Nataly, you've been banded about 6 weeks, most people dont' get their first fill until their 6-8 week mark. It is too soon to know if it's not going to work for you. You've been banded 6 weeks, and have lost 12 pounds. What are you expecting? You have hit the top of the 1-2 pounds a week lost. You had the band and not a bypass, so your loss is going to be "reasonable" instead of having it fall off of you. Additionally, many people don't lose anything until their first fill, and some don't find it working well until their second or third fill. If you feel like you don't have much restriction, then get another fill, by all means. If you find you are a Turtle, then go to your doctor and demand answers. Do not let them push you off, saying "eat less" or something else equally rediculous. Push to have your thyroid checked. If that comes back "normal" then push to have your cortisol checked. PUSH, PUSH, PUSH for answers. No one else will fight for your health. No one else can, if you are able to speak for yourself.

Athena* I could talk about Athena forever, but I'll attmept to be brief. She's definitely important enough to have her own page. Athena was the Patron Goddess of Athens, the Goddess of Wisdom, and the Goddess of Weaving. She was the Goddess of lots of other things, too, but I'm being brief. She was also a warrior and another of the Three Virgin Goddesses. Her father was Zeus. Technically her mother was Metis (Goddess of Prudence), but it is generally accepted that she had no mother. Athena was Greece's favorite Goddess, and there are many stories about her. Read more about Athena. Like there was any doubt? Goddess of weaving, of course! Wow, "is generally accepted that she had no mother." I've always been my own mother.

I broke a couple of toes once, but I'm sure that pain is only a tiny bit of what you are dealing with, holy cow! I'm so sorry to hear about this. My mom has battled ingrown nails for years. Please check in with us and let us know how you are doing (((((Kebeerah)))))

Gina, this issue you are facing is pretty common. One of the skills we generally don't learn is how to take compliments graciously. And you have been given the opportunity to learn this skill in spades! I know it is uncomfortable at first, but you must smile, and say thank you. You are being forced to think well of yourself, and for many of us, this is a very difficult thing. How can we accept the esteem of others if we do not hold ourselves in high reguard? One trick that you might try is to complement 3 people every day. They might be co-workers, strangers, your family members or your fellow commuters. Give an honest compliement, but start small. Admire a hair cut or color, comment on a hand bag or shoes you think are great. Do this for a few weeks and you will be AMAZED at the results you get. Giving compliments makes it easier to accept the complements from others, even strangers. And you will be getting more and more complements. It is odd that the more weight we have the more invisible we are. As we lose that weight and bulk, we become more visible for a variety of reasons. Sometimes we gain more confidence in ourselves after we lose weight, and confidence attracts confidence. We've spoken about that on several threads, do some digging and see if you can come up with some threads to bump. Your choices are to learn to accpet the complements and attention, or gain back the weight so you are invisible again.

- Tortillas (white, wheat, corn?) I can eat all of them, but avoid corn, since it makes me HUNGRY - Salad (what kind of lettuce can you eat?) Any and all kinds, I prefer baby spinach, which isn't really lettuce... - Hard breads (pretzels, crackers, melba, etc.) All kinds, but I think everybody gets stuck on Triscuts at some point - "Fluffy" breads (pancakes, waffles, muffins) well, I think muffins fall under dense breads along with hearty breads like sour dough and rye, but I haven't had much desire for pancakes, waffles or muffins since I've been banded. I can handle some sandwich breads, but only 1/2 a sandwich. - Ground meants (turkey, chuck, sirloin...) no problems for me, but steak and some cuts of beef are tricky. - Shellfish/crustaceans (scallops, shrimp, crab, lobster, mussels...) Bring it on! - Hard cereal (grape nuts, oat bran, etc.) I prefer not to eat gravel. - Hard cheeses I've never met a cheese I didnt' like

Yeah, Kathy! road trip to help me pack! I've got the good stuff! French pressed Kenyan AA I'm fine with hot sauce. I don't use an habinaero sauce very often, and I find that serrano's are a bit too hot for me, but I've never had a problem with my band and hot & spicy.

Thank you everyone. I don't know if y'all know how much this board really means to me. I was raised by wolves, so this sort of support is strange and a little scary for me. I'm not giving up on school completely, I just need to take a short break. I find lately that words are difficult for me, what I mean to say does not come out of my mouth. The words that flow from my fingers feel like they make more sense, if only to me. I can't just go to his office because I'm here in Idaho, the garden spot known as Pokey, just like the jail. funny that.... I need to pack up my apartment Lisa, so I can move home, so I can live with my husband and son for a while. I need to not live by myself, need to live with people who love me and fill my house and home with laughter and dirty dishes. I need all my son's friends, my surigate sons and daughters. Your wonderful responses made me cry, but all in a good way. I have days where I'm completely freaked by this cushing's thing. Freaked that I might have it, freaked that I don't, freaked that it is something possibly worse, freaked that I'm a freak. My Endo thinks that I might have a masculinizing tumor, just what every woman wants to hear. It is just so hard to be me right now. I don't feel that the band has let me down. Not any more. I am actually thankful I got the band because if I had gotten anything else, I would be in worse shape than before. I know in my heart that if I hadn't been banded, they wouldn't have ever found this. I know I have a long journey ahead of me, harder than most have chosen for this life. But if I hadn't been banded, my life would have been considerably shorter, and as it is, it's only Short by marriage , as it should be. There will be no problem with my scholarship if I put off school for a year, I've already cleared that. No worries there.

Wheetsin, when I was breast feeing my Spudboy, my girls were a MM cup, and that doesn't stand for yuMMy. Having the girls shrink is an excellent victory for some of us. Congrats P'nut, I too hope some day to have that sort of NSV.

53% Dixie. I was in the Atlanta airport once....

This is what I wrote to someone on my cushing's board. I thought it was important to me. And as for you not being strong, I don't buy that for a minute. You are stronger than you know. Just by demanding answers you show your strength. Just by coming here and posting, asking questions and helping others, you show your strength. It's not a case of lifting the entire car at once, it is about lifting each little nut and bolt at a time, each little component one step at a time shows your strength. You only see the small pieces you do, and don't recognize the larger picture. You are stronger than you know, but I know how strong you are.

This is what I wrote to someone on my cushing's board. I thought it was important to me. And as for you not being strong, I don't buy that for a minute. You are stronger than you know. Just by demanding answers you show your strength. Just by coming here and posting, asking questions and helping others, you show your strength. It's not a case of lifting the entire car at once, it is about lifting each little nut and bolt at a time, each little component one step at a time shows your strength. You only see the small pieces you do, and don't recognize the larger picture. You are stronger than you know, but I know how strong you are.