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Hi everyone---once again, thank you more than I know how to say for the continued prayers for my family and my little Kinsey in particular. It seems that is was just an everyday gastro intestinal virus that was especially vicious, and contagious, as it has now taken 4 generations of us (my Mom is now sick) down in less than a week. No one else who was at the anniversary has been ill, so thankfully I did not poison everyone. Most of us have been hit hard, and recovered about as quickly, not so with Kinsey. Her case has left her with issues in the colon. Her colon is inflamed, and non reactive. It is not allowing food to enter, so there is no absorption taking place. She is failing, bit by bit, and they have continued to tell us to wait it out. Today, they finally decided maybe that isn't working---and we had a surgical consult. He sent off yet more specimans for culture....and if it warrants it, we will be flying her to either Albuquerque to the University Hospital, or to Denver to the Children's hospital, depending on what type of issue they think we are dealing with. They have downgraded her condition to critical. She bounces from sleeping, which we found out was caused by her blood sugar being below 40! To being so irritable as to not be recognizable--a screaming raging child....to one sobbing for food. It absolutely has broken my heart into a million, million pieces. She tells us point blank she is hungry, and asks for any and all kind of food she can think of...with giant tears in her big blue eyes....then she just goes limp, with the look of total dejection. She is 2, she does not understand why we keep letting them poke her, why we will not feed her....why we don't help her when she tells us her tummy hurts. She begs, Please Granny. And repeats "no pokes, no needles, please" everytime someone new enters the room. Add to this heartache (and it is TRUE heart ACHE), my DD's ex, Kinsey's father, is there trying as usual to be the funny man---and his mother an OR nurse at the hospital we are in, going behind everyones backs and putting down Dr.s and nurses, and questioning them and ultimately pissing them off--- and causing problems....I do not know which way to turn. The ex, and his Mom were arguing with my DD about whether the Dr. might want to run a blood test that might tell them about a disease that my DD's grandma on her Dads side had called Celiac Disease. The nurse dislikes the former MIL anyway, so ordered everyone except the 2 who have been staying the night with Kinsey out of the ward. Now this being said....the arguement was not loud, it was out of the room, and Kinsey is the ONLY patient in Peds. She saw it as a chance to get rid of Renee (former MIL) and did it. So we all were banished. My DD was there with her bf/fiance....they had not had a chance to eat...well we are fighting to get DD to eat, she refuses until her baby can eat....it is more than I know how to handle. Rick waited until shift change, and took some dinner to the hospital, and they were going to take turns going to the waiting room---I just don't think my DD is eating at all either---I keep telling her Kinsey needs her strong. It is very hard to put anything in your mouth knowing she is begging for the same. There were 3 nurses on the floor today, with Kinsey the only patient. At one point, she had a blow out---we had her in a diaper, due to this happening...but she went through the diaper, all over the bed, all over her Mama, her gown, the whole 9 yards. I sent my DD to change, and I proceeded to clean Kinsey up after telling the nurse. They were each on a computer comparing prices of the new Harry Potter book. I got Kinsey cleaned up, walked her out to the hall, found her a new gown in the shelf, took her in and dressed her. By then her Mama was back, and she sat down and held her, while I stripped the bed. I went walking out into the hall with this wad of smelly sheets and ask what they wanted me to do with them, she POINTED to a soiled linens hamper thing. Then she got up, walked to a closet, and handed me linens for the bed! They did not come in and disinfect the mattress----nor did she make the bed! I did. Our baby needed to lay down. They come in 2 times today and did vitals----nothing else. She is still casted, it was due to come off today, the nurse never mentioned to the Dr, we needed a ortho consult until after office hours---now she is stuck until Monday. They did not offer to help bathe her----NOTHING!!! Changed one bag of IV fluids....took 2 sets of vitals.....and surfed the net all day. Now this is the first day for this set of nurses....all of the other shifts, and sets of nurses we have had, have went out of their way to make us comfy, and help our little one in any way---today they were absolutely worthless. Tomorrow I intend on finding out who the nursing supervisor is, and filing a complaint. I have no way to make our baby better.....and I have emotions pent up that those worthless women know nothing about----but are fixing to find out about! While I am there seeing the supervisor or charge nurse or whoever....I will also mention, that we had Kinsey in a wagon pulling her around and around and around the 3rd floor......anythnig but her room, she was so tired of her room....and on one of our turns we passed the ICU entrance. There was a male nurse there Julian, who teased her every time she passed, he would hand her a new crayon.....then a piece of paper....and finally a stuffed doll (out of one of the claw grabber kind of machines it seems). She was so listless, but she would spark a little knowing we were coming up to where he was....he helped our day immensley....I will commend him, as I do my best to take the others down. Amanda said he even come by to tell her to get well, he was going on his 4 days off, and he hoped she was home and well before he come back to work. Her nurse.....never even walked into the room before she left. Thank you all for listening once again---all these things are boiling inside me. I am scared to death for Kinsey. Latching onto the anger I can control. The plan as it stands now is to begin introducing good bacteria into the system tomorrow...similar to what is found in yogurt. IF the tests do not show a total shut down. If they show a total failure, we are off to a bigger hospital for surgery. She has lost weight, she is under 17 pounds now. She doesn't show it much because she is really swollen from all of the IV fluids. They are also watching her blood sugars every 3 hours (which is just another poke----and was NOT done on schedule today), and adjusting the glucose in her IV. They finally gave her some Pepcid type of stuff in her IV for the acid in her stomach, since nothing is passing normally. She has complained less of her tummy hurting with that. And that is all----we wait now....and wait....and wait....and wait. I have my lap top, and I have connection. I just cannot sit in her room with these tears streaming down my face. You guys are my release in so many ways....thank you so much. I will let you know something as soon as I can. Please continue the prayers. Rick has avoided the vomiting....we got him some Kaitrel or something like that....so he is hanging tough. Being right there holding her like her Papa always does. Hugs to you all! Kat

Thanks bigsexy! But help me too, my TSH was .005 Which is that? Hypo or hyper? If I remember correctly that is low TSH so therefore you have HYPER - or overactive thyroid. MY TSH was somewhere like 15 for reference. I don't remember what the normal range of TSH was but for some reason the numbers 5-8 are sticking out in my head. EDIT: Sorry just realized i put hypo rather than HYPER

Thanks bigsexy! But help me too, my TSH was .005 Which is that? Hypo or hyper?

I am hypo - mom was hyper and had to ahve her thyroid removed. I have seen a dr. who does not believe in the standard guidelines for hypo and hyper meaning that with meds I was considered normal (borderline)but had all the symptoms of still being hypo. He changed my meds and I feel so much better. I guess my point is that if you are borderline, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you start feeling a rapid heartbeat or feel really hyperactive then I'd get it rechecked. My mom was a basketcase when she was hyper - ate whole apples pies adn was a bean pole too! Didn't make me happy since I've always had a weight issue! By the wasy the doctor I saw is an MD, but practices functional and intergrated medicine. He's really helped me a lot with some other medical issues too. Good Luck!

I'm confused. I was told Hyper was a high TSH level and Hypo was low. I'm Hypo, low.

If you don't want to read the whole post, skip to the end for the questions. Thanks! Does anyone have tachycardia or did you have it before your surgery? I am so frustrated. I have been on a beta blocker for tachycardia for a few years now. I have had all the tests (echo, stress, ekg, nuclear imaging) and my heart is healthy. However, my tachycardia seems to be getting worse. I went to my cardiologist a few weeks ago for cardiac clearance for surgery and my resting heart rate was 112....he put a holter monitor on me and it got up to 150 at some times over the next 24 hours. He belives some type of hormonal problem is causing this so he tested my thyriod (which the levels were a bit off, some indicating hypo, some indicating hyper....I have symptoms of both...go figure), my cortisol was a little high but not high enough to indicate Cushings and he has referred me back to my regular dr for a catecholemine test (these are the levels of adrenaline, epinephrine and norepinephrine). I'm so frustrated. I feel that if I could just have the surgery and get some weight off, a lot of my health problems would start to diminish. I know there are people on here who have had surgery who were in worse shape than me. I know that I can't go into surgery with 110-150 beats/minute heart rate because they won't put me under but I'm just so irritated about having to wait. He has increased my beta blocker which has helped some but probably not enough. Sorry this is so long. My question is basically did anyone have tachycardia before your surgery? Did it cause a delay or did it cause problems in your surgery? What did your surgeon or anesthesiologist say about it? Thanks.

Hi there from Campbellsville, KY. Hopefully your insurance co will tell you everything you need. I did not have to do the pre-op diet as my health records showed that I had continously been trying to lose weight via, pills, slim fast, med-fast, Jenny C., weight watcher, Healthy heart diet, Atkins, South Beach, Mayo diet, etc.(I always told my dr. what I was trying so it would be charted). I had documented back pain, arthritis, reflux, high BP, hx of blood clots, and hypo-hyperglycemia. So instead I just had to have the x-rays, bloodwork, stress test, sleep apnea test, ultrasound and H-pylori test done. I had to have a letter of referral from my family physician but, I also submitted one from my neuro dr that I saw for my back problems. Hope all this info helps...

ivonea No I haven't had the surgery yet. I am still in the process of all of the pre op testing and all that. I should be done with all of this in the end of June or Mid July. After that we will submit to insurance and I am hoping I can have surgery in August. I just did my second night in the sleep clinic to titrate to the machine 2 nights ago. I honestly have to say that I slept ALL night. I haven't done that in years. I was not uncomfortable with the machine or mask and I felt very rested the next morning. They told me that t hey will send the results to my doctor and he will prescribe my machine at the setting that it needs to be set at. I am hoping that I can get the same kind of mask and that it goes as well at home as it did there the other night. I asked the tech the other night if sleep apnea is pretty common and he states it is. He told me everyone has some sleep apnea but the 'normal' number of apnea episodes in an hour are 3-5 and I had 7 so really mild is VERY mild. He told me that I will probably not need the machine once I have the surgery and loss so weight but he couldn't guarantee that and I understand that but I can hope. HAHA. Anyway he also told me that even though my apnea is so mild the surgeon that I am having requires me to have a CPAP because it will help with the healing process and the already high risk because I am obese. I don't mind that either because I am thankful my surgeon is being so proactive instead of reactive if something were to happen or go wrong. He told me to think of all the pre op testing as the most invasive medical physical I will ever in my life have. He said they will look me up and down, inside out and around and around. I guess I am very thankful that he is being so careful. Good luck with your apnea and hopefully after some more weight loss you will not have to wear the mask anymore. Have you tried different masks? I started with a mask that just covered my nose but I couldn't use that because I am a mouth breather at night so then I used a mask that covered my nose and my mouth and I was fine.:clap2:

BJean, I'm still trying to figure out why I bought the scale but it is fun to use! It has one function where you can calculate whether you have "average" muscle mass related to your age and height...as some people can be at ideal weight but undermuscular or over fat. I liked that even though it describes me as overweight, I am also overlymuscular, or have more muscle than the average person for my age and height. It describes me as "stout".....but I'll take that as a compliment! Great news....I went to my regular doctor for a follow up on cardiac concerns....had what's called a highly specific c-reactive protein drawn pre-band. It is an indicator of arterial inflammation and was off the charts. My bad cholesterol was high and good cholesterol too low. Well, the bad cholesterol is still high (they want it under 100 since I have a bad c-reactive protein) but the good cholesterol is still high. So...I start on Zocor. Seems it is genetic and even though I run about 10 miles/week now and have lost weight it hasn't changed it enough. But the good news is that my blood pressure is that of an athlete's.....90/60 and my pulse is at 60 while sitting. That means my heart is in such good shape that it doesn't have to pump hard to get blood out to the extremities. The doc says I can eat all the salt I want! So.....I am genetically predisposed to arterial disease but I have strengthened my heart significantly. Frankly it is nice to hear that even though I will have to take a pill to reduce my cholesterol, it is not entirely my fault No weight loss for me...still at 183. Had another NSV this week though...I went out and bought some size 14 clothes in resale shops and most of them fit nicely. THAT was a huge motivator and reaffirmation for me. I can now say that I really am losing inches, even though the pounds aren't dropping. I may have to reconsider my goal weight of 138 and move it up to 145 or 150. I would like to be in a size 10, maybe an 8 but don't want my face to look too drawn either. What a dilemma :mad:

Kat - thanks for the info. I think I will try and switch the training session to either the morning or to Friday. I am not concerned with on the tummy exercises, don't do those, I am concerned with being able to hydrate enough to workout hard. After this first fill then I will see how I react. You sound like it is great fun. I like the whole diversion thing you do. Good luck with your hubby. Tekymom - sorry about the port incision. That ususally happens to me, but I was fortunate that I wasn't allergic or reactive to the glue the doc used. In fact many other surgeries I have had to have wound care nursing. Good luck with the healing. Have a great night all you beautiful violets! Michelle

Great info. I had a dr test me for Hosimoto (Spell?) and told me the history about the name - but I forget the entire story now..something about Chicago and a chemical or something pregnant women took during the 50's or 60's??? Anyway, with your new info, I think I will ask for these tests when I go for my exam next time. I have hypo and I will NOT take synthroid...man, that stuff made me so moody, angry, etc. I switched to unithroid (levothyroxin) and much better with moods...but if I miss a dose or two, I get terrible body aches and soooooo sleepy!!! :bored

they are general health readings. if things go as planned, this is virtually bloodless surgery but it can be lenght surgery and put you at rsk for clots in the leg etc from lying in one spot. they need to know that sodium, potassium and other electrolytes are in a good range as all this can affect the amount of fluids and drugs they use in OT an post op. they may not do as many tests for smaller ops but this is classed as major surgery and we are slightly higher risk patients simply because we are bigger. the chest xray is saftey too. you will be ntubated ( tube into lungs to breath for you while you are under) and they simply want to make sure you lungs are in good nick before OT, no chest infections etc that they did no know about- not worth doing that too soon before surgery date though as it is like a snap shot only. the tests you have donein the assessment period are to make sure there are no major reasons why you are not a good candidate for this type of surgery. the next round of tests are just so they have enough information to hopefully avoid any problems but also so they have the information in the case that something did crop up. its all about being prepared rather than being reactive- a sign of good management. try not to get too anxious about t all. talk to you surgeon or his support staff if you have any specific worries too. they can get into a real routine about taking these tests and may not stop to realise how anxious you may be going through all this, particularly if you have not had much surgery in the past. good luck

My DH was on Coumadin for many months this last year, following a blood clot in his ileac artery. He developed the clot, following a test they were doing prior to scheduling his open heart surgery to repair/replace his mitral valve. He took the coumadin for 8 weeks, went off for a few days, had his surgery, and resumed the coumadin for several more months. He had his PT checked every week minimally, and they adjusted his dosage to keep him at a therapuetic level. I think this may have been a blessing in disguise! At least the surgery you had when it was found to be a problem, was minor as far as surgeries go! Now you know to have yourself tested, and find out if you have issues with clotting, or if you have a c reactive issue. Then you can be properly monitored, especially if you ever have to have a BIG operation of some sort. Now, while you are dealing with all of this, your healing time with the band is slowly passing---by the time you are back to normal with the clot, you will be almost back to normal with the band, and ready to GO!!!! I know it is scary---but you know about it, and know if you begin hurting, what to do. It is much better than being in the dark over a problem! You are showing yourself and everyone around you how strong you are---good for you. Hang in there---you, and the band are going to be going strong very soon!!!! (((hugs))) Kat

I do believe if we don't do our best to eat a healthy diet---that this could without a doubt do damage to our bodies in the usual ways---clogged arteries for instance. I have done my best to live by the motto "all things in moderation". I try to eat a balanced diet, including, meats, veggies, fruit, fats, grains---all of it. I do take a multi vitamin, since I eat much less than I used to. In my case, I do not want to diet, I want to find a way to eat, be healthy, and lose, then maintain a weight loss for the remainder of my life. I am looking for a lifestyle change. In an effort to accomplish that, I have taken a good look at my food choices, and adjusted them accordingly, but not eliminated anything. If I feel deprived---I know myself well enough to know it won't work for me. I am not willing to starve and be miserable today in order to be thin tomorrow. I am not sacrificing my todays for tomorrows. This morning, I had a sausage patty with a scrambled egg on top with a slice of cheese melted on it. DH had the same idea, in a sandwich form. I ate about 1/2 to 2/3 of the sausage/egg/cheese---and I was no longer feeling any hunger, or wanting anymore so I quit. Last night for dinner I had beef stroganoff, about 2/3 of a cup, I ate all of it, and a piece of garlic bread. For lunch I had a chicken salad sandwich in pocket bread---and ate about half of it. I snacked on mixed nuts, a piece of cheddar cheese, and drank 3 bottles of water, several glasses of iced tea (decaf), and shared a chocolate milk with my grandson! I ate the same things my family did. I ate less. I manipulated it to be better for me. I could have had my breakfast this morning in sandwich form like DH---but I would have been able to eat the same amount, and I would have filled that small space with bread, that I don't need. So instead the protein will keep me full for hours, and my blood sugar will remain steadier....I won't want to snack in a couple of hours. We can eat healthy---it as well as anything else---is a choice. If you cannot eat healthy, then it is time to see your Dr. and adjust your fill accordingly. Your Dr. has no idea how the fill will affect you---it is a joint effort to get it right. We have to do our part as well. He won't be the one with ulcers, or malnourishment if it is not handled well---we will!!! We have to be proactive with our health and diet, not just reactive when there is a problem. Kat

Pam and Sugarbear-I have to wait for 8 weeks May 8th I believe for the fill. I will write today and ask about earlier. Now, it's really going to work out fine schedule wise because I have my parents visiting until the 7th and remember I have to fly to France.I have a question for you guys though, my dr. here, primary, says he is very familiar with ports and would be happy to do any fill/unfills. What do you all think about that? Too risky? Too technical? Too much of a speciality? Just would save me an enormous amount of time and money. For the first 2 I would prefer to go back to the lovely Dr. Frering. I don't have a big plan pam. i like lo carb lots. I am planning just to limit, limit and get going on the exercise. i am walking and using the bike. I do the bike throughout the day 10 minutes at a time.I am finding out that it is much easier for me to eat at dinner than the day..anybody else? Pills, the only one i take is a vitamin and I split it. Any hair losers? Should i freak? Mom is bringing Nioxen and bioten. Can you reccomend anything else? Pam you are so funny with the eggs LOL I love eggs. I found out recently that i am highly reactive to them, I miss them though. Last nite I made Thai meatballs with ground pork..YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And pasta with peanut sauce. Do you guys eat salads? Is there anything to avoid? Man, I bet that takes a while to eat ugh? Special hi to Karen- how's dad holding up sweetie?Are you taking care of yourself? Ok- off to start the day.BBl

Hi I am new and would like to say hello to everyone the the site. I was reading about someone just starting there journey. I went to Dr Woodhead in Delta. I did not need a referral, but my Dr wrote me one anyway. It works out well, because Dr Woodhead sent him all my paperwork from the surgery and with my visits, so he is also up to speed. My consult was on Feb 6th 2007 and surgery was set for Mar 7th. It took 6 weeks to get a consult from after filling out the paper work. The surgery is done right next door to his clinic which is the Delta hospital. I lost 15 lbs before the surgery and another 15 in the next 2 weeks. The scales have now stopped at 240 lbs. I am following the diet to a tee. I have a thyroid problem, hypo, and I hope that does not have a bearing on anything. I also had my knees operated on 4 times and it was that reason and the sleep apnea that sent me on my journey. I no longer have any pain in my knees and I am not taking any ibprophen anymore. Life is great. Hope this answers your questions about the Dr. Brenda:)

You are right, ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and CRP (C-Reactive Protein) are VERY non-specific tests. Basically, they determine whether there is inflammation anywhere...hs-CRP is also a very non-specific indicator of possible CE's, but it's not used much because of the lack of reliability. Oh, and some forms of birth control can actually make a CRP positive, IIRC. The chance of you having cancer, something autoimmune or something major like that is very low, but I don't have your family history in front of me, so I can't tell you for sure. Would some inflammation around the area of your band cause that? I suppose it's conceivable, but I'm not 100%. I'm hoping the best for you, though! Keep us updated! Do you have the exact figures from your test, by the way?

Since I've been getting ravenously hungry every two hours, I was really looking forward to my first fill today. I went in and the fill nurse and I talked for quite awhile, and she was concerned with the number of times that I've PB'd and vomited in the past week. I explained to her that I'm starving when it's time to eat and that I keep having to fight the urge to eat quickly and with too large of a bite. She told me that she really didn't think I should have a fill yet, but she'd go ahead and give me one, if I promised to work on those issues. I promised, and she whipped out the hypodermic and gave me a 1.2cc fill. I went to take my drink of Water and it was quickly apparent that I was too tight. We went back to the room where she proceeded to poke me a second time, and removed .3cc. Back to the water fountain and this time when I took a drink, I felt like I was in huge trouble. The nurse gave me the option of having the fill removed, or going over to the surgery center and having an x-ray because she was beginning to feel like I had slipped, with all the PBs and vomiting. They got me into the xray room and gave me my barium, and said the band was fine - no slippage (hey, some good news), but the nurse once again came over with her handy dandy hypo and after poking me for the third time, took out the rest of my fill. She said that until I learn to get PBs and vomiting under control - no fills for me, but that I can try again in two weeks, if I have the issues under control. I am totally bummed. I could really use some encouraging words, because I'm feeling like such a failure today. :think

Oh yeah they can happen anytime, but since you travel so much it is already less likely to hit you that way, as your system is accustomed to the changes. I would suggest maybe finding a list of band approved Dr.s world wide if possible on the Inamed site---you could carry it with you to have for the area you are going. I mean search the areas you are going, and keep those names & numbers handy. So you could be prepared. Also take the info about your band and port, so if you have to hit an ER somewhere you are armed with your info. You may also have your Dr. prescribe you something for nausea---mine gave me phenergren (sp?) so I would have it to avoid throwing up if possible. All in all, just be as proactive as you can as opposed to waiting to be reactive. I know personally if I prepare for the worst and hope for the best it usually works out, but the time I do not prepare---all hell breaks loose!!! Have fun!!!! Sounds like a great trip! Kat

Sounds like a reasonable explanation for them to me. You need to realize at least for awhile if she sees you eat at all she will be asking questions, because your eating WILL change. You will be restricted to liquids, then to mushies for several weeks following. Then it will be a matter of trial and error. Keep this in mind if you are going to be in their company for say Easter Dinner.... Once you have healed, and begin fills, you will go back to liquids following the fill for a day to 3 days depending on your Dr. And you will have to carefully and cautiously add foods to your diet, seeing how each reacts. It is not a hard thing to do for me, but I think keeping it from my family (which I understand WHY you are doing) would have made it really difficult. Now when we go out with family or friends (mine ALL know!) I order a meal with the rest of the group, and I eat, I just eat much slower. Actually sitting my fork down and waiting between bites. In the end I am full about the same time they are, but I have over 3/4 of my meal left to take home. This could raise some eyebrows if no one knows. So it might be time now to start talking about the new diet you are going to start---be proactive at reducing their comments as opposed to being reactive when it is happening. Something about the hormone fluctuation, the anesthtic, something(!) makes many people emotional following the surgery...and you don't need to be caught off guard trying to cover your tracks--and getting upset by it. Start taking walks with the kids, and if you are around them now, don't eat---make your excuses NOW!!! Then feign whatever female issue you have in mind (my sister in law explained her band as a D&C), and use it to maybe help your diet along.... If they see you start the changes now---the exercise, the eating changes, they won't try to connect them to the sudden female surgery. I feel like I should be singing "I've got a secret!!!" Kat

Scarlett- Well ,Russia IS a must see, it it pretty wonderful, very beautiful. I always love coming home though. It's the small things in life like umm... Target, Starbucks etc. Synicalchick- I am thinking of you!!!!!! Envious really, you will be done it no time- can you imagine? Keep thinking positive thoughts, positive energy!! Glad you got the bad day out of the way! Good luck! Tammy- I agree, you have very positive and uplifting energy. Glogirl- I have a 2 and 3 year old..I love them to death but I could never have what it takes to teach. Bless you , you must be a patient soul. How long will you be out of school? Ok- here's my question. I was at a health institute in Mexico and just got results from my food allergy panels and it shows that I am highly reactive to eggs, milk, whey, garlic,cheddar cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt. So as you can see the protein drink/soft soft foods stage is going to be a challenge. Of coarse, I have lived 44 years without knowing these particulars so I'll do what I have to. This probably causes my migraines. So any suggestions would be great. Do all protein drinks contain whey? One other question..do you think most people do well with the band..no significant problems? I personally think they do. I think there is a big learning curve, learning to eat with the band. I am 8 hours ahead of you , so you are all sleeping soundly. Today is beauty day, getting the ole eyebrows done and haircut. Have a great day!!

PCOS Links! Centre for PCOS PCOS Association SoulCysters Living With PCOS INCIID Hey there: Kick up your feet and stay a while, as you read my PCOS story. Hello, I'm Tracy... I was first diagnosed with PCOS while undergoing infertility treatment during my early 20's. (Mid 30's now) ..... Period at age 9, Birth Control pills at age 16-18, Married at 18 no birth control, no babies... finally at age 22 I sought treatment. I was told that I had the thyroid of an 80 year old man, and that I had PCOS.. he put me on synthroid for my HYPO-thyroid, and told me that it was just my body type that caused me to have PCOS... no offer of help or anything... just to accept it. Since I had PCOS, I wasn't able to ovulate.. my periods had NEVER been regular except when on birth control pills...... Treatment didn't work: charting, pills, shots... nothing could budge my follicles to pop out any mature eggs..... so I went on with my life, childless.... then fast forward to 1999... I was surfing the net and came accross an article "Losing Weight With an underactive Thyroid" Well, this peaked my interest, and from this article they mentioned Low Carbing and Dr. Atkins..... I was like "What the HECK" is low carbing???? Well anyway, on my lunch break I went to the book store and bought Dr. A's book, I started to read, and read, and read.. and that night I threw away the nasty slim fast, and made myself a bunless cheeseburger.... I had been starving myself on Low Fat Slimfast shakes and GAINING weight....... I would cry because I was hungry and then to get on the scale and actualy GAIN weight... life just wasn't fair..... ok.... so I took dr. A's advice and decided to devote 2 weeks of my life to the diet.... I did... meat, cheese, eggs, and Water.... I started dropping weight like crazy.. 14 lbs during induction.. my husband was shocked... but as the pounds came off and the sizes went down... everyone soon became a believer. OK...... so, I was about 3-4 months into the program when I realized by looking at my weight chart that my period was starting a pattern of every 28 days... I couldn't believe it.... from the first month my cycles had reset themselves to be just like a regular person!!!! THIS WAS A MIRACLE... my cycles were SO regular that I could set a clock by them... so I suspected that I was ovulating too.... my hopes of being a mom returned.... and BAMM, a few well timed whoopee sessions and I ended up preggo... unfortunately I suffered 3 miscarriages right in a row. So here I was down 80 lbs, PCOS symptoms were non-existant, and I FINALLY saw the little pink link on a home pregnancy test all with out meds or dr's... but life was unfair and I lost 3 precious babies.... all at about 7-9 weeks... one after I even saw the Heart Beat... that one killed me, and I went into a deep depression.. and I started feeding my sadness with High Carb things... I really feel that I was sabbotaging myself..... Lots of other Life events followed... got caught up in a corporate meger/layoff... so my job of 12 years went bye, bye.. and so did my husband my best friend since age 15.... had replaced me with someone who he said was "just like me" just 10 years younger...... so ok..... divorce, heartbreak, money issues... yada, yada, yada..... life goes on! Get your butt up and live life!...... ok so time passed... I hooked up with a new guy... technically my "rebound" guy from hell.... we both started LC'ng, the wieght had returned and my periods were slipping to sporadic bursts at no particular time.... PCOS had taken it's hold again.... anyway I told him, If I start LC'ng I might end up preggo........ he didn't believe me.... but ONE month after starting to eat right again.... I ended up preggo... and now I have a son who is the light of my life! April, 2004 I rededicated my eat life to Low Carb.... it may not be for everyone.. but it is what keeps my PCOS in check and I lose weight as a side effect! Edited August 11, 2005....... my little Low Carb miracle has now turned two years old. It was funny, that during my first Low Carb journey where I had 3 misscarriages.. no one wanted to believe that a formerly infertile woman could get preggers, simply by changing her diet. I had started seeing articles in the Atkins Center magazines for open calls for women with PCOS that had noticed changes in their cycles or had gotten pregnant because of this WOE... I called and told them of my experience.. as so many had done... NOW, in 2005... every PCOS website will lead you to a Low Carb way of eating, also they've developed drugs to help with the symptoms... .I feel proud to have been "IN" on the discovery of this phenom...... you will see LOTS of women popping up pregnant all over the Low Carb Friends website, and many threads where the gals are pregnant and doing a maintenance level of LC'ng to help control the amount of weight they gain during pregnancy.... IT IS AWESOME! I feel like broadcasting to the world.... I AM FINALLY A MOM!!!!!!!!! All thanks to the Low Carb way of eating. 2/22/07 A final edit to my LBT friends.... my son is now 3.5 and once again I find myself needing to lose the weight... the band AND LowCarb is my choice.. Low Carb because IT WORKS, and the Band to HELP ME and to MAINTAIN, :clap2:

I have hypo, and PCOS and had Lapband surgery July 06 in Mexico with dr. Kuri. Everything was fine. My levels were ok though. I don't think it will be a problem and maybe some of the symptoms with improve with weight loss. The Synthroid I am on is so tiny, it goes down pretty good. Good Luck!

I am a prebander. But with my previous surgery (hyst) I didnt have a problem with them. I am hypo. My thy levels have been under control for many years. Just check with your Dr. to be sure. Good luck on your journey. HTH, Rosanna

Mommy202... yes, I have lost 80 lbs 4 times in my adult life... the last 3 were adhering to a strict low carb diet. I have hypo thyroid and PCOS.. so for me the Low Carb is what helped SO MANY things..... but something would happen and I would go off plan and then it would spiral til I was all the way back up and this last time was no exception..... I have thought long and hard about the band, and it took me a year of debating it in my head before I really decided to go for it. I was really ticked off that I just couldn't maintain a loss on my own. So, for ME I view the band as a FORCED committment to a LC way of eating WOE. Protein First, Veggies Second, Carb 3rd....... Yes, I know I will be able to eat around the band, but I KNOW what my body needs.. so I believe I will be fine.. most of my problem is VOLUME, and the band will help with that too..... I am the first person in my Real Life that will have a band. I do have 2 friends that went the bypass route (now 2 and 4 years) post op.. I always knew that surgery wasn't for me.......... Lemme see.... I am 37, divorced in 2002 but with a great guy now going on 2 years... we share a life and kids but not married.. I have a son who is now 3 and the light of my life.. although he is often to smart for his own britches... I think my light bulb moment was at his skating party I could not get up off the floor of the rink without help (I was in skates, and on one knee to tie his laces) I was humiliated and p.o.'d!!!!!!! I want to be the active mom not the "let mommy rest" mom.... so here I am with baited breath (as you said it perfectly) waiting for a surgery date, so that the rest of my life can begin!