Hi everyone,

I just wanted to start a thread for those of you interested in alternative medicine and natural health discussions around aftercare with your LAP Band. I am not a doctor, but love to discuss this as I have researched and read a lot and have strong opinions in this area. I would love to hear from you if you currently use alternative medicine treatments and/or natural health and nutrition info or are interested in discussion more about it. Would love to discuss co-morbidities and how we can do things more naturally to help control them or send them into remission! What we discuss on this thread is not intended to take the place of treatment recommendations from your doctor, but it is to chat about taking care of ourselves after banding in a more natural, alternative way than traditional medicine. Please respond... I look forward to it!

Kammi in Everett, WA

335/302/180

DOB 5/27/08

Dr. Kuri - TJ Mexico

kammi I am a big proponent of natural remedies. I work in a wholistic health clinic. Currently I have given up my ibuprofen 800 since I know I will not be able to take it after my surgery. I have awful arthritis in my knees. I need to be sure I can live without it. I will be having acupunture and taking rhus tox to deal with it now.

Nice to meet you..... do you know anything about coconut oil? It is great for arthritis... and inflammation issues... if you want more info let me know.... i have some websites and book resources if you are interested. Can't wait to talk more!

Kammi in Everett, WA

335/302/180

DOB 5/27/08

Dr. Kuri - TJ Mexico

Thanks for starting this thead! This is a subject I don't know a whole lot about, but would love to learn more. Neither DH or I are big pill takers, especially DH since he had surgery. He's afraid to swallow any kind of pills. My PCP likes for her pt's to try natural remedies first. She has me drinking green tea and taking omega three for my high cholesterol. I haven't gone back yet to see if it's working.

HI Everyone. I am getting banded July 2nd. Amazing that 8 months have passed since I began the journey. Thanks for starting a natural health thread. I know protein and protein shakes are very important but my body does not like too much whey. It makes my nose and throat mucousy and I don't like the after taste. There are a few great alternatives to any of you who are vegan or dairy sensitive. One brand is LifeTime and a really good price is at Life's Basics, Plant Protein, 18.6 oz . I have been really happy with the weightloss results and it tastes good. m

I also love this stuff! I'm always looking to learn more. I plan to take arnica before and after surgery to help with healing. I don't use a lot of homeopathy, but for this I will.

Also.... if you are not allergic to coconut milk.... that is a great alternative for a milk substitute like with cereal.... it is super good for you and it is hyperallergenic so great with people with dairy sensativities or allergic to milk or such.... I drink it with my Go Lean daily.... it is delicious..... one can of coconut milk, half can Water, 2 tablespoons sweetner (I use Xylitol) and a few dashes of salt! Try it if you like! As you can tell from my few posts.... I am a huge proponent of coconut and coconut oil and such!

Kammi

I take Probiotics to help with my gut. I think it is really important especally after surgery to keep things running normally. I do have a question though. Does anyone know how to keep a gall bladder? I know I have stones but they have never bothered me but I really don't want to have it removed so how can I keep my gall stones from hurting or any other suggestions would be great! Thanks!

Bobbi

I too, along with my hubby and parents (who were banded at the same time) all too Arnica... helped heal fast, no pain with healing either! Good for you!

Bobbi.... as you again can tell, I am a big fan of coconut oil, but it is EXCELLENT for gut issues.... please read up on it... it may be something you are interested in....

Kami too funny yesterday I had a new client who was a dr and as we were talking she mentioned that she was using coconut oil for a skin issue. I found it amazing that 2 times in one day I had it mentioned to me. Can you point me in the direction for some good info on it.? TIA I think I may do arnica now as well after surgery. I have always used it for headaches and such and after a car accident will be using on this now as well.

Here are some links that you can check out as well as one of the links is for Amazon.com which has some great books you can order... I have read most of them at least twice.... wonderful stuff coconut oil is.... I don't know if I think it is a cure all, but I do think it is a wonder food and use it daily and get great health benefits... I consume it as well as apply it on my skin... as far as the Arnica.... I took it a week prior to surgery and a week after... hardly any pain at all with or after surgery.

Kammi in Everett, WA

335/302/180

DOB 5/27/08

Dr. Kuri - TJ Mexico

COCONUT OIL LINKS<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

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http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/coconut-oil.htm<o:p></o:p>

http://www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/coconut_oil_healthy.htm<o:p></o:p>

http://www.thaifoodandtravel.com/features/cocgood.html<o:p></o:p>

http://www.risingstarlc.com/coconut.pdf<o:p></o:p>

http://www.coconutdiet.com/thyroid_health.htm?gad&gclid=CNyIovLyj5QCFQ-kiQodfUhfgg<o:p></o:p>

http://www.coconut-info.com/coconut_oil_why_it_is_good_for_you.htm<o:p></o:p>

http://www.piccadillybooks.com/coconut-oil-miracle.htm<o:p></o:p>

http://www.coconutoil.com/<o:p></o:p>

http://www.westonaprice.org/knowyourfats/coconut_oil.html<o:p></o:p>

http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/nutrition/coconut.htm<o:p></o:p>

http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/<o:p></o:p>

http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html<o:p></o:p>

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-1668555-9489558?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=The+Coconut+Oil+Miracle]http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-1668555-9489558?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=The+Coconut+Oil+Miracle[/ame]<o:p></o:p>

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Would anyone mind giving me some more information regarding the arnica?

Thank you.

Thanks for all the links - I'll have to check them out when I get home.

I found this great website that should answer your questions.... I even saved the link as a lot of other people have asked me about it and this is a nice place to learn about it.... hope this helps.

http://www.vitamedica.com/html/faqam.html

Kammi in Everett, WA

335/302/180

DBO 5/27/08

Dr. Kuri - TJ Mexico

Make sure that whatever doctor you go to, you monitor your heart disease risk... you have to ask for a few tests that are not typical, but these are a few tests for the some of the biggest indicators of heart disease... make sure you ask for C-Reactive Protein levels and fibrinogen levels.... also, many overweight/obese people have thyroid disorder and it goes undiagnosed in many people for years.... the range levels are set too high... although recently I know they have been lowered. Your TSH should be under 2.0 to be under control, but also your other T4 and T3 levels are very important in your thyroid profile. I post this on here because I have learned the hard way that my traditional medicine doctors never tested me for any of this and when they did do thyroid screens per my several requests, they all said they were in the NORMAL RANGE, but for years it was way too sluggish and I should have been treated. I now to a naturalpath and thyroid is tightly controlled and I have a baseline for my C-Reactive protein and fibrinogen levels. Don't know if this is helpful to anyone, but I have rampid heart disease in my immediate and extended family and wish I knew this info earlier!

Kammi in Everett, WA

DOB 5/27/08

335/302/180

Dr. Kuri - TJ Mexico

Kami, ditto on the undiagnosed thyroid FOR YEARS. I finally found an internist who said my symptoms were so classic, he put me on synthroid anyway. In two weeks I felt like a totally new human being. My deep depression virtually disappeared. My hair stopped falling out, I quit hemorragging during sex, my skin improved, I was sleeping better. It was like a miracle. Apparently me and my sister both have a rogue enzyme in our bodies that produce a false negative on our TSH and T3 & 4 levels. I'm proud to say that they band and my weight loss have allowed me to lower my dose a bit. I feel great.

As for the natural stuff, I ran a health food store for a couple years. I too did massive research on all the products we carried. It's been a few years, but there were many things I discovered that I now swear by. As for the coconut products, it's funny.... I read that the coconut milk/oil was not so healthy, because the fat is hard to process, and high in calorie, but the coconut WATER was like a miracle drug. I drink coconut WATER all the time. the brand I drink has aloe in it as well. I had to cut back as it had some sugar in it, but I love the taste of it. the nutriets in it are exactly the same as the human body. I've read that in emergencies, you can even use the water as an IV drip for rehydration. Mind you...I said emergencies. But it's good to know that it's that pure. Coconut is just good all the way around. My favorite cookie is a coconut macaroon. Have to watch those now though....I like Echinacea and Golden Seal during cold and flu season. Garlic oil for ear aches and intestinal viruses, castor oil packs for deep injuries and sore joints, tea tree oil for athletes foot, dandruff and itchy ear fungus, Peppermint tea for nausea, etc. so I do try to stay as natural as possible. I'm always looking for new things. This thread or site will be WONDERFUL. Thanks for thinking to start it!!!!!

Kami,

I just spent the afternoon poking around on some of the websites you suggested. I found the cocnonut oil thing fascinating. Especially the U.S. government effort at a smear campaign to discourage the use of it, so U.S. oil producers would reap the financial benefits. Disgusting. Now I understand why I had the impression I had about the oil, and was only aware of the water.... I sure could use some help with rough red skin on my face and sore arthritic joints!!! This is going to be a great thread!!