Margen610

I have to agree also! Great post, Tiffykins. I had my endoscopy this morning and now I have to rethink everything. When I first decided to do something about my weight issues, my first thought was lapband. Then after a few seminars, my thinking went towards the sleeve. After the first visit with my surgeon, he said I would do well with all three, but recommended the gastric bypass. So, I have been away from this message board while I sifted gears. After my endoscopy this morning, the Dr. found that I have a duodenal ulcer and said that I should not have the bypass. Now, I will probably have to wait a while longer to treat the ulcer. But the Dr. has recommended the sleeve. Funny, I was so unsure, and I prayed for a sign that I was doing the right thing. It seems the sleeve is the right choice for me! And now, listening to all of you, I have reinforcement. Thanks All!

Mrs. S, I've been waiting for someone to mention thyroid problems! Here's a short version of my 54 years of life: I was born into a wonderful, loving family. My Mom was my best friend, but I lost her when I was 19 and I lost a part of myself forever (she was my strength, backbone and my source of confidence.) Mom had been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when she was 7 and had many health issues that stemmed from that illness. She was only 48 when she died. I really never had any weight issues when I was younger....sure, I could have lost 5-10 lbs, but never worried about it. Married when I was 20 (and 125 lbs) I had 4 children by the time I was 31. I always managed to stay about 140-145 lbs between all the pregnancies...and of course the kids kept me on my toes! When I was 35, I decided it was time to quit my 20 yr. smoking habit. I waited a couple months until I felt truly ready to give them up. It took only 7 days with the nicotine patch! Granted, I slept & prayed alot, but somehow managed to gain the strength to quit....me, quit!!! me, the one with no willpower! This was a huge milestone for me! So, I decided to join the gym, tone up & lose the 5-10 lbs. that was always in my way. Here I am, doing jumping jacks, and I can barely lift my arms. I commented to the instructor, that I didn't know what was going on, and she told me I should check things out with my doctor. I made an appointment for a physical and bloodwork and the doctor calls me with the results...here, my thryoid levels were low. So, the doctor said, "Let's wait a few weeks and retest." Well, that is when all hell broke lose! Within 5 weeks, I had gained 30 lbs. and it took everything in me to get out of bed and down the stairs...just to fall asleep on the sofa! I felt like I had aged 40 yrs. (and I had 4 kids to get up and out to school.) The doctor ran more bloodwork and my thyroid had stopped! Nada...nothing. They couldn't explain why or how. Just that it is hereditary and is sometimes caused by a shock or jolt to the body. I am on thyroid medicine and they tell me that I should feel the same as when my thyroid was working. I swear it was because I had quit smoking, but no doctor will agree..or even look into it for me. So, there it is! Sometimes I wished I had fought more to keep my health, but I just accepted that I would never feel the same again. I lost my energy, put on an extra 10 lbs a year. Now, at 235lbs., I am hoping for a final end to this craziness! But I am just starting to learn about banding and I'm scheduled for a seminar next month. P.S. My oldest son was diagnosed with Graves disease at 22 (had the radio active iodine, but still is very thin) and my younest son was diagnosed with Hashimoto's diease at 12- the same as me, but he is very active & thin, go figure! I told my endocrinologist that all these years, I watched that my kids did not end up with diabetes and they had thyroid issues....he said my Mom had an auto-immune disorder where her antibodies attacked her pancreas, and in my family our antibodies attack our thyroid....just some info for anyone with these issues. Wish me luck on my journey!

Hi All, I am very new to this site.....just thinking of LBS right now. But I have used Isagenix shakes. They are not just a meal supplement, but a meal replacement. A bit pricey, but worth it. Also, JBN (Just Be Natural) has awesome protein shakes and a very reasonably priced. www.jbn.com Good luck to All, Margen610 Jenjaw, I think she's right, when it comes to taste...you definitely get what you pay for. I would be careful with GNC products though. Most of their products are WAY overpriced! Once you find what you like, try to get it online. Also, some stores, such as walmart, (who acutally have ALOT to choose from) will let you buy online and ship to a store near you for free. That way you just pick up your purchase, you don't have to worry if they have what you like in stock. One other suggestion...Glucerna has a butter pecan flavor that will do the trick when you need something different and sweet.