vinesqueen

Oh, you are gonna have to give that control thing up. If they are messing around with your spine, you sure as hell want to be sedated. You do not want to end up screwing up your spinal cord because you "jumped' at the wrong momemt. I'm gonna guess that this is a sensitive thing because they need to do it under fluro, and not something that can just be done with a flashnight and a pen knife, and a bic pen. Put on your big girl panties, and sign the paper for the entire procedure.

I've had two sleep studies and never once did they stick anything up my nose. by sedating you I think that would throw off any results of a good test. I don't need my CPAP all the time, just some of the time, and I have a mask that just fits over my nose, but nothing UP my nose.

I found out today that it will be a week or two before I get my results from the first round of Cushing's testing. I can't help but pitch a big hissy fit at the thought of waiting two whole weeks for my test results. Dr. E will be out of town until next Monday, and I'll be back in Idaho by then. It just feels so far away, not only in time but space as well. I see a new PCP tomorrow, my doc has moved to Everette, and that is just too far to go. I've been with her about 10 years, but I was thinking it was time to move on to a different doctor, since she wasn't really taking me seriously anymore. I mean, I had sleep apenea and serous sleep problems and I basically had to twist her arm to get it taken care of. She wanted to blame most of my issues on "needs therapy" as opposed to really wanting to find the cause. I am just feeling so sorry for myself lately. Monday I ended up in the ER with another bout of celulitus. And my headache has gotten worse. Probably from all the stress from the Cushing's and decideing to quit school for now. Pain makes things worse. It just does. I feel anxious and stressed. I'm out of the lexapro, so I guess I need to get that refilled. Duh. I miss my pilaties ball. How funny is that? I started to use a new drawing book, "drawing on the Right side of the brain." it's pretty interesting. A very different way of looking at things, much more an adult program than the Mark Kistler books.

I found out today that it will be a week or two before I get my results from the first round of Cushing's testing. I can't help but pitch a big hissy fit at the thought of waiting two whole weeks for my test results. Dr. E will be out of town until next Monday, and I'll be back in Idaho by then. It just feels so far away, not only in time but space as well. I see a new PCP tomorrow, my doc has moved to Everette, and that is just too far to go. I've been with her about 10 years, but I was thinking it was time to move on to a different doctor, since she wasn't really taking me seriously anymore. I mean, I had sleep apenea and serous sleep problems and I basically had to twist her arm to get it taken care of. She wanted to blame most of my issues on "needs therapy" as opposed to really wanting to find the cause. I am just feeling so sorry for myself lately. Monday I ended up in the ER with another bout of celulitus. And my headache has gotten worse. Probably from all the stress from the Cushing's and decideing to quit school for now. Pain makes things worse. It just does. I feel anxious and stressed. I'm out of the lexapro, so I guess I need to get that refilled. Duh. I miss my pilaties ball. How funny is that? I started to use a new drawing book, "drawing on the Right side of the brain." it's pretty interesting. A very different way of looking at things, much more an adult program than the Mark Kistler books.

today I'm camped out on the sofa, with my leg propped up, and not going shopping. Figures, I come home where we have real shops like Crate & Barrel, Williams & Sonoma, The Bon (okay, it's now called "Macy's" but it will always be The Bon), and Nordies. In Pokey, I could go to KMart or ShopCo, which is a lower scale KMart, there's a walmart, but I refuse to shop in a wallmart... But I can't go shopping becuase I need to keep my leg elevated! SNARGLE PAFFLE! NIFF-GIFFIES! and several other bad words too.

Ha! No one notices the weight a Turtle looses. :faint: 15 pounds since April doesn't make for a lot of comments, other than "when are you going to lose weight?" But I'll let you know if I start to lose weight. Weight is such an interesting issue, itsn't it. It is very intresting to see how people treat us differenly when we lose weight. Some people view weight as a punishment, that we are not very deserving people if we are fat. And yes, it is so very hard to watch someone success where we cannot, despite our very best efforts. You might have no idea what it's like from the point of view of the person who cannot lose weight. You have no idea how maddening it is to watch other people lose when you cannot. I'm sure that the folks who don't comment are jelous. I know that I am. It is to increadibly difficult to be supportive of someone doing something that despite your best efforts cannot do. For the folks who don't comment, I wouldn't neccessiarly write them off as simply being jerks. One thing to keep in mind that your success only drives home what a failure someone who can't lose is. I rarely comment on how great someone's losses are. I want to rant and rave and throw something. I rarely comment on someone's success because it would be hollow and false.

well, the odure (in my cheesiest French accent) is caused by bacteria, and to some extent your diet. I know that if I'm having weird odures I look at my food journal too see if there is a culpret there. For my body, I use Burt's Bee's rose Water astringent. It has a low alcholoh content, but it is rose sented and it will kill the bacteria on my skin. After about a week no more odure. For your clothes, I would test some fabreeze and see if that will work.

It's called "the quiet mind." It's a zen thing.

There's one line in "the 10,000 Fingers of Dr. T" 1953 Dr. Seuse http://imdb.com/title/tt0045464/ (one of the best movies ever made btw) ... "Is it .... atomic?"

hurrah! I know the power of the List of NSVs full well. It is pretty stong stuff to be able to read over your NSV list any time you are feeling down, or heck, when you want just a small pick-me-up. Congrats on your list, and here's hoping that this next year will bring you many more NSVs.

woot milk! I actually had a carton of 2% chocolate milk, as per surgeon's orders.

HI Campers! (Hi Crystal!) Well, today is my one year bandivarsary. Not a single expectation I had before my banding has materialzied at least when it comes to weight or size, but perhaps the evaporation of my asthma symptoms (yay me!) makes up in some small measure for not losing weight. (that whole not-dead thing goes a long way I think) I have lost a net of 30 pounds since being banded. I've lost 15 pounds since April 2005, which is hardly impressive. This last year has been quite a ride for me. Right now I'm not even bothering to try to lose weight, I'm just concentrating on maintaining. And I'm doing a very good job of that. Someone on another board told me that they were disapointed that I've given up, that I wasn't even trying, so of course I would fail. But that's just it, I haven't given up and I haven't failed. I don't think the band failed me either. Or maybe I do. I dunno. I know that I was very angry that I wasn't able to lose weight. I was well on my way for a while to developing my first eating disorder -- this summer and fall I was completely obsessed with counting everysingle calorie trying to lose weight. (tooth paste does not have any significiant calories, BTW) I spent a month at 700 +/- 100 (okay, mostly - ) because I couldn't lose weight at 1000 or 1200 or higher. I lost 1.5 pounds that month I was too tight. I thought I had developed a leak, but it was just a case of an interventional radiologist who didn't have enough experinece letting out more fill than he was putting in... It's hard watching everyone pass me by. It's hard to watch folks who started out with similar stats to me loose 10 sizes to my one size lost. It's hard to watch them lose so much more in pounds that I feel like I ever will. But at least I've recorded every one of my NSVs that I've ever noticed, which does help. After all, when I'm invited to go on Oprah when i finally do get things figured out, I'll be able to share more than pounds lost, I'll be able to share the life I've gained. So, since I badger everyone at their bandivarsaries for their favorite NSVs, here are my favorite ones right now. My top ten NSVs in no particular order. I didn't die from resperatory failure. Probably my biggest NSV, that whole not-death thing. Probably my favorite one too. I have wiggle room when I fly, and I don't need an extender anymore either. (is that one or two?) I've run for the bus without even thinking about it I've been able to chase my Spudboy down the stairs and out into the street before having to stop becaue I was laughing so hard I've started bellydancing again, and I'm a professional bellydancer too now. I no longer have a "breathy" quality to my voice, but I'm told it's strong and clear now. (no more asthma!) I am no longer The Great Crystal Dam in the bathtub I can cross my legs. HOLY SH*T! I can cross my legs! donuts no longer have any appeal I have realized that I will never go hungry again. (it's a wolves thing)

Thanks everyone, it's been quite a ride!

I'm taking the Spudder's girlfriend to the beauty school and we are going to have deep conditioning treatments for our curls. You know what they say about girls with curls.... Spent some time drawing and some time playing video games, did the dishes, and took my anti-biotics. Hard to get in any excersize when you are supposed to keep your leg elevated. I've got celulitus again.

Okay, I know that several people have had their thyroids checked, but the test results came back "normal" and "fine." Okay, if it isn't the thyroid, what is it? If you endo tries to end it with your thyroid, start pressing about cortisal and ask for the tests for Cushings. If one answer is no ask for more. Do not accept non-loss without a fight! Push and Push and PUSH!

HI Campers! (Hi Crystal!) Well, today is my one year bandivarsary. Not a single expectation I had before my banding has materialzied at least when it comes to weight or size, but perhaps the evaporation of my asthma symptoms (yay me!) makes up in some small measure for not losing weight. (that whole not-dead thing goes a long way I think) I have lost a net of 30 pounds since being banded. I've lost 15 pounds since April 2005, which is hardly impressive. This last year has been quite a ride for me. Right now I'm not even bothering to try to lose weight, I'm just concentrating on maintaining. And I'm doing a very good job of that. Someone on another board told me that they were disapointed that I've given up, that I wasn't even trying, so of course I would fail. But that's just it, I haven't given up and I haven't failed. I don't think the band failed me either. Or maybe I do. I dunno. I know that I was very angry that I wasn't able to lose weight. I was well on my way for a while to developing my first eating disorder -- this summer and fall I was completely obsessed with counting everysingle calorie trying to lose weight. (tooth paste does not have any significiant calories, BTW) I spent a month at 700 +/- 100 (okay, mostly - ) because I couldn't lose weight at 1000 or 1200 or higher. I lost 1.5 pounds that month I was too tight. I thought I had developed a leak, but it was just a case of an interventional radiologist who didn't have enough experinece letting out more fill than he was putting in... It's hard watching everyone pass me by. It's hard to watch folks who started out with similar stats to me loose 10 sizes to my one size lost. It's hard to watch them lose so much more in pounds that I feel like I ever will. But at least I've recorded every one of my NSVs that I've ever noticed, which does help. After all, when I'm invited to go on Oprah when i finally do get things figured out, I'll be able to share more than pounds lost, I'll be able to share the life I've gained. So, since I badger everyone at their bandivarsaries for their favorite NSVs, here are my favorite ones right now. My top ten NSVs in no particular order. I didn't die from resperatory failure. Probably my biggest NSV, that whole not-death thing. Probably my favorite one too. I have wiggle room when I fly, and I don't need an extender anymore either. (is that one or two?) I've run for the bus without even thinking about it I've been able to chase my Spudboy down the stairs and out into the street before having to stop becaue I was laughing so hard I've started bellydancing again, and I'm a professional bellydancer too now. I no longer have a "breathy" quality to my voice, but I'm told it's strong and clear now. (no more asthma!) I am no longer The Great Crystal Dam in the bathtub I can cross my legs. HOLY SH*T! I can cross my legs! donuts no longer have any appeal I have realized that I will never go hungry again. (it's a wolves thing)

sending you healing light and best wishes, we care about you!

Sending you lots of white light to guide and protect you and your family. I know that what you are doing is difficult on so many levels. I wish you strength and protection. ((((((((hugs)))))))))

HI Campers! (Hi Crystal!) Well, today is my one year bandivarsary. Not a single expectation I had before my banding has materialzied at least when it comes to weight or size, but perhaps the evaporation of my asthma symptoms (yay me!) makes up in some small measure for not losing weight. (that whole not-dead thing goes a long way I think) I have lost a net of 30 pounds since being banded. I've lost 15 pounds since April 2005, which is hardly impressive. This last year has been quite a ride for me. Right now I'm not even bothering to try to lose weight, I'm just concentrating on maintaining. And I'm doing a very good job of that. Someone on another board told me that they were disapointed that I've given up, that I wasn't even trying, so of course I would fail. But that's just it, I haven't given up and I haven't failed. I don't think the band failed me either. Or maybe I do. I dunno. I know that I was very angry that I wasn't able to lose weight. I was well on my way for a while to developing my first eating disorder -- this summer and fall I was completely obsessed with counting everysingle calorie trying to lose weight. (tooth paste does not have any significiant calories, BTW) I spent a month at 700 +/- 100 (okay, mostly - ) because I couldn't lose weight at 1000 or 1200 or higher. I lost 1.5 pounds that month I was too tight. I thought I had developed a leak, but it was just a case of an interventional radiologist who didn't have enough experinece letting out more fill than he was putting in... It's hard watching everyone pass me by. It's hard to watch folks who started out with similar stats to me loose 10 sizes to my one size lost. It's hard to watch them lose so much more in pounds that I feel like I ever will. But at least I've recorded every one of my NSVs that I've ever noticed, which does help. After all, when I'm invited to go on Oprah when i finally do get things figured out, I'll be able to share more than pounds lost, I'll be able to share the life I've gained. So, since I badger everyone at their bandivarsaries for their favorite NSVs, here are my favorite ones right now. My top ten NSVs in no particular order. I didn't die from resperatory failure. Probably my biggest NSV, that whole not-death thing. Probably my favorite one too. I have wiggle room when I fly, and I don't need an extender anymore either. (is that one or two?) I've run for the bus without even thinking about it I've been able to chase my Spudboy down the stairs and out into the street before having to stop becaue I was laughing so hard I've started bellydancing again, and I'm a professional bellydancer too now. I no longer have a "breathy" quality to my voice, but I'm told it's strong and clear now. (no more asthma!) I am no longer The Great Crystal Dam in the bathtub I can cross my legs. HOLY SH*T! I can cross my legs! donuts no longer have any appeal I have realized that I will never go hungry again. (it's a wolves thing)

Bumping cause it's fun

Bumping 'cause it's fun

Hi Nanster! It is way to early to know if you are a Turtle, we usually don't really know it until 4-6 months after we are banded. Congrats on losing so much so fast! Many people don't lose any weight in the first few weeks after banding. Keep in mind that this time is for healing and any weight lost during this time is bonus!

Hi Bella, welcome to LBT. Turtles, Turtles, Turtles... You have asked a very good question. But unfortunately, we don't have the answers. I don't know that anyone really knows if they are going to be a Turtle until they are one. I have been diagnosed with Cushing's, a condition where I produce way too much cortisol. Right now I'm in the middle of tests to verify the diagnosis. One of the symptoms of Cushing's is the inability to lose weight, and another is unexplained and rapid weight gain. I have to wonder how many other Turtles are also Cushing's folk. But the think is Bella, I have a very strong suspicion that Turtles will be Turtles even if they are converted to a malaborptive technique, like the DS or one of the other bypass flavors like RNY. But we make up a very small percentage of the banded population, if LBT is any indication.

weight's a funny thing. You might not have the extra fat you think you do. The scale is a known lier and deciever. To get a much better idea of what you can realistically lose and realistically weigh, you must have your FFM figured out. Your fat free mass, or you FFM will tell you what you weigh without the fat, simply the weight of your bones, muscles, tissues and anything that isn't fat. There is NOTHING wrong with being a size 12. We have this national obsession to be a size nothing or a size 4 or something completely unrealistic. If you have an athletic build you will weight more and be phsyically larger than a waif. But you will be so much more healthy than a waif. And that's the goal, to be healthy.

Woot! Here's wishing you the best surgery and recovery known to mankind! Yeah, you've needed to change that screen name for the longest time now! Woot! We want pictures!