the best me

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14619 hang on, another thread coming soon... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14652&highlight=remote+control+band Pretty cool, huh?

I'm snorting laughing here. What a picture you put in my head...Crystal in motion. A few weeks ago, I recorded a "medical mysteries" episode where the girl found out she had cushings. I need to watch it...hang in there. I can't believe how incredibly strong you are. And keeping a great sense of humor about it all, I know is helpful. You got it goin' on!

Are they "pop-able"? These that I have are white bumps, they look like a pimple, but they aren't, really. Maybe "pustules" is the right word. It isn't acne. Wonder why changing pillow cases more often helps? hmmm. The Derma-Smoothe is a prescription, so check with your doc. You could prolly get it at an online pharmacy pretty easy though, ya think? It's good stuff. Oil, but very satiny.

I beleive I do have Rosacea, because so many of the symptoms are the same with the flushing and the way my skin responds to foods/alcohol, but I have discovered that my recent skin problems are due to eczema. Self-diagnosed, of course! It started several months ago when I developed "pimples" or little white bumps on my left eyelid. Someone said "it's eczema" or a form of it, and I went "hmmmm" and then the small patches of raised red scaley skin started popping up on my face below my eye, at the edge of the eye socket bone. At first I was dabbing Aquaphor on it, but it just kept moving around. So, I got my daughter's Derma-Smoothe (RX medication for atopic dermatisis/eczema) and Man-oh-Man, has my skin responded! It looks better than it has in years now. I still have 3 bumps left on my eyelid. I'm hoping they fade soon. But, this just might be why my skin liked the Olive Oil so much. The top layer was just scaley dry...eczema. Whoda thunk? Just thought I'd update! :kiss2:

Did you get the job? I now this was way back in April...just wondering. I haven't done a very good job of keeping up.

I wouldn't hesitate to get a prophylactic mastectomy/hysterectomy, especially with your history. The possibility of breast or ovarian cancer popping up again between mammograms and Paps year after year after year...just get rid of it all! In my thinking, I have a life to live without that hanging over my head. So, yeah, I'm with you on the mastectomy/hysterectomy. Heck, I'm not sure I'd want to wait till 2008, even, but honestly, your plan looks great to me, very reasonable. The only real variable is the 140 pound loss in 17 months. One never really knows how the pounds will shed. So, you COULD do mastectomy/hysterectomy in Dec 2006, banding in Feb 2007, and TT/breast reconstruction in July 2008? Do that. Cancer sucks (as you know) and weight loss is a back burner when you are fighting breast cancer...AGAIN...so enjoy your banding with lots less cancer concerns. You'll do great on your weight loss, I'm betting. You sould like a smart, fine lady.

You will get wonderful replies and I will be reading up, to be sure. Thanks for posting your journey and asking the tough questions. I hope you get the answers you need, but if not, I hope you get the encouragement you deserve.

Ooooo that's a good one! Yay Mom! :heh:

Hey Gummie. It's funny you mention bowel pain and gas related to sugar. I have been having that on occasion, too and wondered if it was diet related? My weight loss has stalled at 178.4. I have been here for over 2 weeks with no budging! Anyhow, you really gave me something to think about. When this happens to me, I get good relief from Aloe Vera juice. I'll drink 3-4 ounces and it seems to settle things well. This bowel discomfort, which I hope is diet related, makes me paranoid there's something wrong with my band. I have been banded about 18 months and it's time for an endoscope. I need to get that done so I don't worry about every little odd sensation being an eroded band! haha. Let's hope not! How long have you been banded? Also, do the Child's Pose (yoga) where you sit on your knees and lay forward with your hands stretched forward. I pull my knees way apart so my still-big belly doesn't squish on my legs. Anyhow, it helps *release* the gas. Okay, it helps you fart. There, I said it! Good luck, I'll check back in on you!

Carrie, I'm anxious for an update. I'm sure your unfill will help tremendously. Being banded is not supposed to be painful! (((hugs)))

You amaze me, Crystal. Most of the time I just read what you have going on and I'm stumped. I have no clue what to say or how to help, except to say that I'm cheering you on from here...as are countless others. Just, WOW. :love:

My neighbor had smiliar trouble months ago, and ended up being diagnosed with Mono...it had settled in her spleen and liver and caused her spleen to swell dangerously. She went on Bed Rest...like she was pregnant...for several months to give her body a chance to rest and heal. I'm not sure just how they diagnosed this. She has improved greatly, and the swelling is down. But it's been a long haul for her, and she keeps having to go back for ultrasounds to keep a check on the internal swelling. It's improving with time. Just an idea...in case it helps? Maybe you could Google and get more info? Someone here (Jack?) may be able to say more. Good luck. I'm sorry you are in pain!

Oh good Heavens. Seeing the new little ones always makes me teary. I think I'm lactating. She's just perfect. :love:

I'm so sorry for all of this. My parents divorced after almost 35 years of marriage. It STILL sucked for me, and I was in my 30's at the time. For the kids, it's never easy. I applaud what you have been telling your kids, especially the part about being able to say STOP if there's something they don't want to hear. It's important for you to remember the difference between him being your husband...or soon-to-be Ex, and him being their Dad. Continue to be careful. Respect the man that is their Dad. If there's something unrespectable about him, he'll show them just fine without your words. Another thing that helped me after their divorce was realizing that they didn't have to be married for us to be a family. We were still a family. A bit broken, and worse for wear, but a family. It took about a year for that to sink in, but if you can send that message to your kids, it will help, I'll bet. 10 years later, my Mom is remarried and we ALL get together regularly at my house AND at hers. Yes, my Dad, Mom, her hubby, ALL of us. And it's wonderful. It can happen. I also agree with the "sleep with one eye open" advice you got from LadyK. It's early in the game for you. Take no chances on your future and financial security. Good luck. I'm sorry you are going through this.

I'm late, too! Congratulations on your little blessing! :love: I can't wait to see pics. LBT LOVES Band babies! Let us drool, please?!!

OMGosh, what is happening in my world? I have a MySpace Account. ME! Lemme se if I can post my URL (see, I'm even learning the lingo!) http://www.myspace.com/kathyjoester now I'll see if that link works...see ya'll there...and find me cuz I prolly can't find you! Okay, so if that doesn't work can you find me with my email? I have stuff set to Private (see perv comments above) but I'm hoping to find many of you there! kathyjoester@bellsouth.net

Good for you, Deb. Hang in there, you'll make it! I keep checking back here for km updates, how are you? Have you learned something new? Please share!

How are you, km? are you getting inspired and motivated? Did you get a food scale yet? They are very handy, and less than $5 at Wal Mart. How'd you like the info on the link about fills?

Here's an older thread about a rumbly tumbly. Deb, slow down and take smaller bites. That helps alot. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=19395&highlight=tumbly and here's a great thread with a link about fills for you, km. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=3733

I just PMd you...if it's liquid, I use the measuring cup. If it's solid, I use the little food scale I got at Wal Mart. 8oz=1cup. That may be incorrect, but that's how I do it. ??? I also eyeball stuff. Once I have measured, I know how much it is and take it from there. Sloppy, I know, but that's what I do.

There was an 80s song that I STILL don't know the words to but I always sang "gimme a laser gun the road that I must travel!" I think it's supposed to be...heck, I can't even spell it. Anyone know?!

Oh Jack, it's your birthday! Woot!!!! Hope your day was as wonderful as you are. :love:

Hey spunky, you did it right! Welcome to LBT. Different docs have different techniques, so no numbing is normal. No flouro is normal (I have never had a flouro fill). And I'm thinking Dr Fielding will do you right. No worries. You have a great doc. :biggrin1:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14619 I thought this thread was interesting. It's old, but interesting. I like the idea of a doc sending you out into the big wide world with the correct huber needle for an emergency unfill. Very cool. But I'd put the self fill in the bad idea category, too. I'd be tempted, for sure! but I have also developed this opinion over the last 18 months that leaving the dadgum band alone is a good thing. Since the "real" work is in our heads, especially when we get to that last bit of weight that needs to come off, I find it extremely gratifying (and conversely, frustrating) to lose the weight "myself" without another fill. But then, I have never had that "wide open" feeling and been desperate for a fill. I still say, ****don't*****!!!! LOL

Randi, it really does sound like you are too tight. You have a liquid diet, and when youeat "real" food, you PB it, making you swell and making liquids go down with difficulty. Good restriction happens when you can eat real nutritious foods, in reasonable quantities (not pre-band quantities) and stay stisfied for hours after a meal. I'm betting if you got some saline taken out, got rid of the swelling and irritation, you'd have a much nicer diet and would feel so much better! What you describe here is not a happy bandster eating life. We aren't supposed to live on liquids and PB all the time. Call your doc. Molliegirl, do you have a 10cc saline capacity band? Or a 10cm band with 4cc saline capacity? If only 4cc fits in your band, then a .5cc fill isn't so small. Besides, it matters less how much your fill is, and more how that fill works for you. You are doing great. Don't worry with the numbers, just work with your restriction and you'll be fine! Reflux stinks. Keep avoiding that! :clap2: