susannah

Hey, Forgot to say that I can't have a hot bath anymore. It has to be warm only. I find summer hard, but you can get a concession on your electricity bill in summer if you have ms. Susannah

Hey Girls, I have permanent numbness in my left hand now. Lucky I am right handed. I went through a stage where I was falling over a lot. I have mornings where my legs are so spastic that they don't want to cooperate. Then the next day I can be fine. One of the oddities of this illness. I have never had Optic Neuritis, but I have had the bladder and bowel issues, which is quite mortifying let me tell you. I am very stable at the moment. My muscles twitch all day long though. Do you guys get this? I can se the muscles jumping up through the skin. I am so used to it now that I hardly notice it. Long may my remission last! Susannah

Hi Girls, I am so excited for you both. Monday is the day for Dionnem! Bronnie well done. You will get so much personal satisfaction knowing that you can acheive power over your mind with the Optifast. I just went on a big walk with my sister and her kids. I am wrecked now.:girl_hug: As for the multivitamin I am not sure. I am seeing the dietician next Wednesday, and I am sure she will tell me which one to take. Her name is Nicole Bando!:biggrin1: No kidding.:biggrin1: Susannah

Hi Sharyn, I have no experience of plastic surgery so I can't speak to that, but I think you look wonderful, you should be very proud of all your efforts. I would like to have a breast reduction down the track. I have big breasts and they are heavy and cumbersome. I would like to have some laser work done on my face and some work done on my teeth. I just need to go on that show Extreme Makeover really!:biggrin1: Susannah

Hi M, Ditto what you said. There is no easy way of losing weight. We will have to be accountable to the band and ourselves for the rest of our lives. It is a huge comittment and undertaking to make. It is not to be entered into lightly. Susannah

Hi, sharyn you look terrific!:biggrin1: Well done. Susannah

Hi All, I started the mushies phase today. I had one weet bix with lots of physical low fat milk. Another milestone. I am on mushies for the next two weeks. You might see me in the baby food aisle at the supermarket. One thing I hate about telling people about the banding is when they say,"Oh that's the easy way to lose weight":rolleyes: Oh right, getting cut open and going through all the pain is really easy. Not!!!!! Susannah

Hey Bron, That is terrific!:mad: You can do this. I did 3 weeks of it without cheating a single time. I wanted to be able to show that I could stick to something for once in my life. Susannah

Dionne, Forgot to say that you are not allowed to have custard, fruit juices, and icecream anymore once the liquid stage is finished. The liquids that you have after that have to be zero calorie. So enjoy em while you can!:mad: I only have one little weight watchers icecream tub a day. Susannah

Dionne, You start first day with clear liquids such as chicken broth with no visable meat in it, or beef broth, then you start on nutritional fluids like I have described above. Anybody else got any more ideas for D? Susannah

Hi Dionne, Liquid phase, you can have custard, icecream ( The little weight watchers tubs are good, with yummy flavours) Vitamized fruits, such as peaches, pears, apricots etc. Fruit smoothies with yoghurt and bananas,peaches etc. Vitamized soups like velish, you can add baked beans or other canned beans. Suprisingly veg and baked bean soup is yummy. You can have a variety of fruit juices such as pineapple, and V8 vegie juice. The main thing is that you have to be able to suck any liquids up through a straw. That is the consistency you are looking for. You can also have Jarrah chocolait 99% fat free hot chocolate as a treat. It makes a change from the Optifast!:mad: Susannah

Bronnie, I don't think the op will be delayed. Have you got your MRI results back yet? Susannah

Gday Karen, I tend to agree with you on the scanning, I am overdue for it, but I know they will just show more lesions. I know I have MS, there is nothing new in that. I just deal with it as it comes up really. Last year when I had my last attack they just gave me three days of IV methyl pred. They suggested that I have a more regular steroid pulse, but I don't handle the roids well at all. I prefer more natural ways to control the disease. I know some that swear by the Swank diet. I am really concentrating on getting my weight down, and all things banding at the moment. For the moment the MS is dormant, but when it awakens again, as it will, I will hit it with all guns blazing!:biggrin1: Susannah

Hi Girls and Mark, One of the nice ladies from the main board gave me this website address, www.bariatriceating.com for recipes and ideas for food stages. They are for bypass and band patients. I guess we could adapt some of the ingredients to suit ourselves. Susannah

Anna, Thank you so much for takilng the time to post those ideas. That will personally help me a lot. Susannah

Hey Jacqui, Have a great night out, and go nuts with all the girls! Serves him right.:biggrin1: Susannah

Gday, Check out the food forum on these boards. There are lots of suggestions and ideas for all the food stages. Happy banding. Susannah

Hey Jacqui, If you want to wear Supre clothes you should. I reckon you should wear what makes you feel happy. I can't wait to be able to get clothes right off the rack. Susannah

Yay D, A sleep in? Dream on luv!:biggrin1: Wow you are getting so close now. I am excited for you. How are you feeling? Susannah

Hi Dr Johnny, I think it is terrific that the Cincy surgeons take the time to answer our questions and give us advice. Dr C is a legend around here. Good on ya!:biggrin1: Susannah

Meredith, You deserve it girl! Enjoy yourself. Will be waiting for a full report of your night. Well not everything! Susannah

Hi Karen, Thanks for posting your story. Man you have been through the ringer. My first dance with MS came when I was 27. I woke up one morning and all the fingers on my right hand were completely numb. The numbness spread to my whole hane and then my right arm, side and right leg. My legs were so stiff and walking was hard. I had some bowel and bladder probs. I went to casualty at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, as I was scared stiff. They examined me and ordered an MRI. They must have suspected MS, but they told me I had Transverse Myelitis. I had other attacks that followed, and they at last diagnosed me in 2003.Most of my lesions are in my spinal cord, and I have some in the brain also. I probably have more now. My neuro spoke to me about taking Rebif or Beta. I am currently not taking meds, I can't cope with the thought of having to inject forever. I may change my mind on that, not sure. The meds do not cure this illness. I had an attack 12 months ago. I have some permanent damage, but I am largely in remission right now. I wonder when it will rear its ugly little head again, and in what incarnation? Susannah

Hey Crew, Did you all have a happy Valentines day? I didn't get anything, but there is always next year. My Valentines present to myself was getting banded. When the time is right mr wonderful will turn up. Susannah

Hi, Meredith I am with you and Jacqui on this. We need to follow a sensible balanced diet where you can have everything in moderation. I am hanging out for a handroll, but I won't dare try sushi as my first solid food, as people say they have trouble with it. Karen, I heard that the Tony Ferguson shakes come in 10 flavours apparently. Susannah

Hi Bronnie, I would be surprised if you have to have a sleep study, or that it will therefore delay the op. I did my sleep study at The Austin hospital, and only after the respiratory physician requested it because after the breathing tests it showed I had weak lung muscles. I don't smoke but the doctor thought it may have something to do with having MS. Did the doc say anything about the fact you have MS? I am down another kilo!:biggrin1: That makes 3 kilos post op. Yay! Susannah