That's it!!!
Pat
joanne <joanne1049@...
Hey Pat, I think I heard about your gazebo, it was in the news the
other night, it's that one that has the three searchlights that you can
see from the interstate right?
Joanne
Seattle
Casinos are air conditioned
Pat
joanne <joanne1049@...
I don't know about all you East Coasters but us West Siders need to
meet up on or about March 28th otherwise we will fry in that desert! No
later than Cinco de Mayo when the temp jumps to the triple digits for
the next 9 months.........
Joanne
Seattle,
EX Zoni.
I'm always looking for an excuse to go to Vegas. Hey, I'll be there actually
the first weekend of March!
~Ally~
Lap RNY 7/12/07
251/237/184/130
HW/SW/CW/GW
fyi, there are numerous sites where you can renew your CPR online inexpensively.
It's only for renewals though... you have to go practice on the dummies for the
initial certification. Just google "CPR renewal".
And also for your fyi, Joanne... if you should need CPR while we are together,
you are in excellent hands. As a paramedic and respiratory therapist working
the ER and ICU, I have probably done more real life CPR than the rest of the
group put together :)
Pat
joanne <joanne1049@...
renewal. .
Oh, Cool, you are the nurse! Good thing you mentioned that CPR renewal,
I totally forgot, I'm sure we'll need some of that, too. Course you
prolly knew that already, you've known Pat a lot longer than I have....
Joanne
Seattle
I was wondering how we have seemed to lose some of our posters
lately. They still belong but haven't posted to tell us how they are
doing.
Cathy....tell us how the counselling has gone. How's the weight?
How are your other physical problems doing?
Penny...granny, are you still taking yoga, or are you teaching it
now? How is the garden growing? How are your furbabies doing? Are
you doing okay with your daughter gone?
Alex...didn't you have some class you had to attend, and weren't they
going to weigh you? What about the gym, are you beginning to feel
like Tarzan?
Cheryl...we haven't heard much from you lately. This new life, are
you getting used to it our are you still struggling?
Jess...how are you doing just a couple of days before surgery? How
is your daughter doing, missing her dad? When will your mom be there
to help you out?
I know there are many more people, but I'll just start pestering
these people first.
Lizanne
Good point about the PMS. I have diagnosed PMDD from before surgery, and now my
it is out of control. As most of you know I've really struggled with this since
surgery, and I've been very resistant to medication. The only reason for this
is because last time I took antidepressants 1) they made me a zombie and 2) I
was sick for months when I tried to quit taking them. I just don't want anyone
to fall into the trap of taking mood stabalizers forever for something that is
most likely a temporary situation for us. Of course, that is ABSOLUTELY not me
judging anyone who chooses to. I just worry about down the line because I care
about all of you.
Also, Joanne, I think she said she was driving through for her son. ;)
~Ally~
Lap RNY 7/12/07
251/237/184/130
HW/SW/CW/GW
Wow we are really getting a lot of people in the central valley/sacramento, bay
area in this group , maybe we will just have to hold one of these get togethers
here in the area and have others come to us!! Debby, I am so happy for you...
way to go with Kaiser!!! Best of luck with your surgery! Is Judy going to be
your angel,,, I haven't been able to read all of the messages on here lately....
Where is your support group at??
Beth in Stockton
Hey Pat, I think I heard about your gazebo, it was in the news the
other night, it's that one that has the three searchlights that you can
see from the interstate right?
Joanne
Seattle
I don't know about all you East Coasters but us West Siders need to
meet up on or about March 28th otherwise we will fry in that desert! No
later than Cinco de Mayo when the temp jumps to the triple digits for
the next 9 months.........
Joanne
Seattle,
EX Zoni.
LOL!!!
Jill
lap RNY 12-03-07
- 20.9 lbs.
Well, if you guys are all going to do that then we will just have to
have a Western Conference WLSFS in Vegas! And what happens in Vegas,
STAYS in Vegas! We get PAT! And everybody west of the Mississippi!
Neener, neener, neener!
Joanne
Seattle
I can't commit at this time anywhere, my dh will be having surg. in April or
May, were not sure yet. I live in Mi., but NJ would be fine if I could get
the time squared away. Keep me in the loop. I'll know later.
Edie
11/15/07
lap rny
302/292/261.8/150's
hw/sw/cw/goal
Shenise, a couple of points I want to make, hope I remember them all.
1st is, we usually don't ever drive into a fast food drive thru when
we AREN'T crushed for time, seems like the managers in those places
are sadistic jerks and train slow pokes on the drive thru when we
seem to be in the worst hurry. Damn Micky Dees!
2nd is, I am a fast food addict due to the way I was raised and the
job I have had for years is mobile and EVERY MINUTE counts! They are
only going to screw up the order when you can least afford the extra
minutes OR the car in front of you just ordered about 7 different
meals. Guaranteed.
3rd is, I wonder if it isn't WAY too early in your surgery for you to
be going to an old temptation like fast food, like all of our most
comfort food, McDonalds, when you know you can't have any? I wonder
if that was an underlying stress that wasn't conscious to you until
the food handler really screwed you around and then it was all
crashing down on you?
4th is, I wonder where you are in your 'cycle' and if as the weight
goes down, if maybe you could be experiencing a small bout of PMS
that you maybe never had before?
I know I have had PMS off and on, crazy extreme and minor bouts for
the past 5 years at least, although my weight has just gone up and
down within about 30 pounds. One time last year, I will never forget,
it was evening and I had my dogs with me in my work truck because I
was intending to run them at the park after I made my deposit. They
kept crowding me in the truck and I could not find my check stamper
to save my butt. I told them to go to the back, out of my way but
they kept pushing forward and getting in my light so I couldn't see a
damn thing.
I just started hollering at them and pushing them back because I
could not get the deposit made out quickly without the stamp. I don't
have a clue what came over me but I started bawling for maybe 10
minutes straight. It may have been a combination of jerk clients and
a long hard day and a bad year and my dogs being brats etc etc etc.,
but it had built up to the blow out stage.
I don't remember if that was also a PMS moment or not but I am not a
person who cries. So this moment was insane to me. The good news was
that at the end of it all, I was exhausted but I think it helped me
cope with the rest of the week, maybe I had just been building with
stress for too many days and it must have just needed to happen to
level me back out.
Finally I wanted to say that Costco sells a good size box of cresent
breakfast sandwiches that you can pop in the microwave for a minute
and they are fairly decent. I think they are a dozen in a box. You
might also look into breakfast bars to go with a quick breakfast.
That way it would keep you away from the fast food places that you
can't eat much from anyway. I would be very sad to have to go into a
McDonalds for someone else after I get this surgery. I would have to
tell them they were SOL, because I couldn't torture myself that way.
Joanne
Seattle
Hi Lisa,
I finally got my picture taken the other night. I was still dressed nicely
from my job interview. I have to put the software for the camera on my PC,
download the pictures, put them on my thumb drive then load them on here or
send them to you as the case may be. It will probably be Saturday before I
can get you anything but I will see what I can do. :-)
--
Mary in FL
LAP RNY 1/26/2007
317/296/167/140
BS/ SW/CW/GW
Hi there debby just called me, she made it safely to fremont. The storm is real
bad, terrible day for her to make this trip. Anyway I am on my way to meet her
for brunch or lunch after her preop appt. See you
Judy R.
"It's All Easier With Friends"
Be Blessed In All Your Steps
Kaiser-Fremont, CA
262/246
HW/CW
My Holidays always Stinks now, but it was ok My Girlfriend from church
invited me over with her Family on Christmas day went over about 3:30
p.m. we all ate together she was happy to see me there with her family
her husband picked me up, His sister lives over me in the same apt.
building so it was nice to be there with them, they told me to consider
them family & I do if something to happen she has my extra house key. :)
New years all alone, Just like my weekends all alone. I go to weight
management Jan. 11th. last time I went I think it was Middle of dec. I
weighed in at 364 lbs. this time last year I was 425 lbs. Oct. 2nd. day
of surgery I was 404 lbs. I hope to get under 190 lbs.
My preemie Grandson is doing fine he almost 8 lbs. he was born 2 days
before my birthday Nov. 4th is his he went home dec. 4th. I believe so
him & his mom are fine.
How is everyone doing? I am sorry I am not on much I don't have much to
talk about like everyone else, there is a few I try to keep up with off
of group, also want to thank the ones that have sent me Christmas cards
so lovely, & thank you for the Pic :) Wish it was my fireplace. :)
Take care, Eat Healthy, have a Blessed weekend, Stay warm...
Carol
bigmom815@...
http://www.myspace.com/bbws
(On Pogo.com I am grandchildren815)
Parvin,
Thank you.
Jackie died early this morning, her husband and boys were with her.
I thank all of you for your support and I pray for healing for each
and everyone of you. You have all been a tremendous support, to me,
during this really difficult time.
Abby
I think i am not as frumpy. .I enjoy dressing better and making my self look
good. .I think i have more cofidence. I dont think i have changed as to who i
am. . but i havent lost all my wt yet.. who knows ???LOL
~*Sharon XOXO*~
"THIN feels better than FAT tastes!"
Lap RNY 7/30/07
HW242**SW232**CW173**GW125-130
I'm in GA but I will come!!! Sounds great. Let's plan our first
official Weight Loss Surgery Friendship and Support Meet and Greet!!!
Shenise
Open RNY, 10/29/07
328/275/150
I'm on board! I live in GA, but I'd fly to NJ for you ladies!
~Ally~
Lap RNY 7/12/07
251/237/184/130
HW/SW/CW/GW
Naomi,
I think we should meet. Atlantic City sounds like the right place
and there are quite a few people from the NJ, NY, PA area. We should
wait until the weather gets better. I would love it!!!
Lizanne
Oh, I woudl NEVER tell him I shared it here. Not only because, yes,
he would be SO embarrassed, but because he's a very private person
and very "skittish" about the internet in general... when I
mentioned wanting a better pic to post, he was less than
enthusiastic.
Lora
I agree, Ally. Even though we take the things we're supposed to,
we're still malabsorbing. It will take 18 months, from what I
understand, for that to improve.
My labs have all come back okay, but there are days that I still get
tired. And weirdly enough, even though I'm tired, I have to keep
moving. I feel like I never stop anymore! *L*
Dawn in PA
Lap RNY 06/27/07
305/278/182/140
HW/SW/CW/GW
Hi Margie, you don't say what your current weight is, do you mind
sharing? Would you do the surgery over again if you knew then what you
know now?
Joanne
Seattle
Oh you guys, don't have her tell him she told us! He's a guy, he may
die from embarrassment! It's hard enough for guys to do that kind of
stuff which is why it is so rare to hear about that kind of note, a lot
of guys wouldn't have taken the chance!
Joanne
Hi Shenise, can you elaborate a little more? Is it usually when
specific people are present or is it anytime, anywhere, anybody? I ask
because I have two people who call me on a regular basis and it seems
like every time they call it turns into an aggravating phone
confrontation. No matter what time of day and what the conversation
starts out like.
So I am wondering if the certain people you are around are pushing your
buttons ever so slightly that you may not notice them do it or if you
have directed this anger on just anyone? (maybe out of being upset over
food loss or the hormone thing that everyone talks about)
Joanne
Hi Ladies,
So sorry I've not been in touch for a few weeks - didn't realise how
long it's been. I spent 4 extremely cold but memorable days with my
pal in London. We saw 3 shows over our 3 nights and did plenty of
sightseeing, as well as met up with 2 other pals who currently live
down there. Fortunately we took my wheelchair (which I thought I'd
manage without!) - thank God - cos it really made a major difference
and everybody was so nice and mannerly. We were treated like VIPs!
The week after, one of my pals came up from London and stayed with
my hubby and I for 5 days, so we did the tourist bit all over again
up here. Monday = Inveraray, Tuesday = Stirling (we got soaked
through!), Wednesday = Glasgow. Thursday I was back for treatment at
the hospital so she had the chance to relax before going back to her
family and the busy pub she runs/lives above.
The past 2wks I've been unable to do much cos I've had problems and
a lot of pain in my shoulders/upper arms/spine. I hope the doc will
check them out when I go this Thursday for my latest dose of
Herceptin. Maybe whatever the problem is will show up on a scan or
x-ray? I just want to know what is happening in my body.
There's been a lot about Herceptin on our local and national news
reports over the past few months. Many ladies are losing out
because the hospitals in their local area cannot fork out for this
life-saving drug. It's ridiculous!!!!! Especially when it could
keep them alive for a while longer. I hope none of you have had
any problems like this.
I've been reading all your emails that have been posted over the
last month, just to get up to speed with how everyone is doing. My
heart goes out to all of you, but especially the special few who
have been having a really hard time lately. I know it's hard when
you have such difficult family stuff going on, but please try to
find some time to let your body relax. All this stress is not good
for you. Please try to find some time for yourself.
To our fab moderators - keep up the good work.
BIG HUGS. Luv Fi xx
Welcome Margie! I see your posts in the "other" group... it's great to see you
HERE!
Pat
Just A Farmgirl Trapped In The City <mtkntrygl77@...
1. Name: Margie
2. City and State: Montana
3. E-mail Address: mtkntrygl77@...
5. Date of WLS: RNY Feb 2006
6. Surgeon's Name and Location: Great Falls, MT
7. Type of Surgery: Gastric Bypass RNY
8. Highest Pre-Surgery Weight: 397
9. Insurance or Self-Pay: Self Pay
10. What is the name of the insurance company that covered your WLS
(if applicable):
11. How did you hear about this group?: Miss Sharon from another
group
12. Birthdate: July 1977
13. Occupation: (ex)transcriptionist
14. Married or Single (if married what is your spouse's name?):
common-law spouse, John
15. Do you have children? If so, what are their names? Yep two dogs
named Rocky and Ruby
16. Hobbies: cross-stitching, beading, camping, outdoorsy stuff,
fishing, four wheeling, target shooting (farmgirl at heart),
reading, photography and much more I suppose
17. Anything else you would like to share with other members: I'm
the quiet silly one in the corner most of the time but will give my
best to bring good knowledge to the group. Thank you for inviting
me Sharon.
Sorry, Penny . . . I guess I got things started with talking about
your loose britches . . . and you know how this group can be! Of
course, we *could* blame it all on you 'cause you weren't here to
keep us all in line!! LOL!
So, how was the casino? And how did things go poolside?
Jill
lap RNY 12-03-07
- 13.5 lbs.
1. Name: Margie
2. City and State: Montana
3. E-mail Address: mtkntrygl77@...
5. Date of WLS: RNY Feb 2006
6. Surgeon's Name and Location: Great Falls, MT
7. Type of Surgery: Gastric Bypass RNY
8. Highest Pre-Surgery Weight: 397
9. Insurance or Self-Pay: Self Pay
10. What is the name of the insurance company that covered your WLS
(if applicable):
11. How did you hear about this group?: Miss Sharon from another
group
12. Birthdate: July 1977
13. Occupation: (ex)transcriptionist
14. Married or Single (if married what is your spouse's name?):
common-law spouse, John
15. Do you have children? If so, what are their names? Yep two dogs
named Rocky and Ruby
16. Hobbies: cross-stitching, beading, camping, outdoorsy stuff,
fishing, four wheeling, target shooting (farmgirl at heart),
reading, photography and much more I suppose
17. Anything else you would like to share with other members: I'm
the quiet silly one in the corner most of the time but will give my
best to bring good knowledge to the group. Thank you for inviting
me Sharon.
Oh, Shenise...don't even get me started. I went through this and everyone
around me suffered through it as well. I was telling my therapist the other
night that I get mad sometimes when I can't eat, and that I just need something
to "do" while I'm mad. I was thinking about getting a hobby, but she just
looked at me and said "deal with your anger." Well, I thought she was telling
me to be less angry, but she went on to say that I actually needed to sit down
and reflect on my anger for a while and ask myself why I felt the way I did.
She's trying to teach me to cope, which is what I never learned. Just try to
take some deep breaths when you feel yourself losing control. Try to focus on
why you're getting mad. If you want you could talk to your doctor about
antidepressants. I'm sure you're just going through some wacky hormone stuff
just like the rest of us did.
(((hugs)))
~Ally~
Lap RNY 7/12/07
251/237/184/130
HW/SW/CW/GW
Pat is a very confusing personality...
Penny
hmmm... not sure this applies to me. Other than my overstocked pantry, I know
exactly what I have and where it is (although maybe cleaning the pantry out
might help me lose weight.. lol). I really surprised myself with what I have
thrown out so far... although there are a couple things I wish I had back now.
I just can't stand to toss anything I "might need someday"! I think freecycle
will help with that though... I can give stuff up easily if someone else can use
it now. Then again... the exercise from cleaning everything *could* help me
burn a lot of calories. hmmm... I'll get back to you on this after I
declutter....
Pat
lizanneflowers <lizanneflowers@...
Pat,
Once you unclutter, maybe you won't need the surgery according to
this article.
A Clutter Too Deep for Mere Bins and Shelves
After the holidays, many shoppers load up their carts with storage
bins, shelving systems and color-coded containers, all in a resolute
quest to get organized for the new year.
The country's collective desire to clean up is evident in the
proliferation of organization-oriented businesses like the Container
Store and California Closets. Reality shows like "Mission
Organization" on HGTV and "How Clean is Your House?" on Lifetime feed
a national obsession to declutter. The magazine Real Simple has even
created a $13 special issue on cleaning house.
Getting organized is unquestionably good for both mind and body
reducing risks for falls, helping eliminate germs and making it
easier to find things like medicine and exercise gear.
"If you can't find your sneakers, you aren't taking a walk," said Dr.
Pamela Peeke, assistant clinical professor of medicine at the
University of Maryland and the author of "Fit to Live" (Rodale,
2007), which devotes a section to the link between health and
organization. "How are you going to shoot a couple of hoops with your
son if you can't even find the basketball?"
But experts say the problem with all this is that many people are
going about it in the wrong way. Too often they approach clutter and
disorganization as a space problem that can be solved by acquiring
bins and organizers.
Measures like these "are based on the concept that this is a house
problem," said David F. Tolin, director of the anxiety disorders
center at the Institute of Living in Hartford and an adjunct
associate professor of psychiatry at Yale.
"It isn't a house problem," he went on. "It's a person problem. The
person needs to fundamentally change their behavior."
Excessive clutter and disorganization are often symptoms of a bigger
health problem. People who have suffered an emotional trauma or a
brain injury often find housecleaning an insurmountable task.
Attention deficit disorder, depression, chronic pain and grief can
prevent people from getting organized or lead to a buildup of
clutter. At its most extreme, chronic disorganization is called
hoarding, a condition many experts believe is a mental illness in its
own right, although psychiatrists have yet to formally recognize it.
Compulsive hoarding is defined, in part, by clutter that so overtakes
living, dining and sleeping spaces that it harms the person's quality
of life. A compulsive hoarder finds it impossible, even painful, to
part with possessions. It's not clear how many people suffer from
compulsive hoarding, but estimates start at about 1.5 million
Americans.
Dr. Tolin recently studied compulsive hoarders using brain-scan
technology. While in the scanner, hoarders looked at various
possessions and made decisions about whether to keep them or throw
them away. The items were shredded in front of them, so they knew the
decision was irreversible. When a hoarder was making decisions about
throwing away items, the researchers saw increased activity in the
orbitofrontal cortex, a part of the brain involved in decision-making
and planning.
"That part of the brain seemed to be stressed to the max," Dr. Tolin
said. By comparison, people who didn't hoard showed no extra brain
activity.
While hoarders are a minority, many psychologists and organization
experts say the rest of us can learn from them. The spectrum from
cleanliness to messiness includes large numbers of people who are
chronically disorganized and suffering either emotionally, physically
or socially. Cognitive behavioral therapy may help: a recent study of
hoarders showed that six months' therapy resulted in a marked decline
in clutter in the patient's living space.
Although chronic disorganization is not a medical diagnosis,
therapists and doctors sometimes call on professional organizers to
help patients. One of them is Lynne Johnson, a professional organizer
from Quincy, Mass., who is president of the National Study Group on
Chronic Disorganization.
Ms. Johnson explains that some people look at a shelf stacked with
coffee mugs and see only mugs. But people with serious
disorganization problems might see each one as a unique item a
souvenir from Yellowstone or a treasured gift from Grandma.
Many clients have already accumulated numerous storage bins and other
such items in a futile attempt to get organized. Usually the home
space is adequate, she says, but the challenge is in teaching them
how to group, sort, set priorities and discard.
Ms. Johnson says she often sees a link between her client's efforts
to get organized and weight loss. "I think someone decides, `I'm not
going to live like this anymore. I'm not going to hold onto my stuff,
I'm not going to hold onto my weight,'" she said. "I don't know that
one comes before the other. It's part of that same life-change
decision."
On its Web site, www.nsgcd.org, the group offers a scale to help
people gauge the seriousness of their clutter problem. It also
includes a referral tool for finding a professional organizer. But
since the hourly fees can range from $60 to $100 or more, it may be
worth consulting a new book by Dr. Tolin, "Buried in Treasures"
(Oxford, 2007), which offers self-assessments and advice for people
with hoarding tendencies.
Dr. Peeke says she often instructs patients trying to lose weight to
at least create one clean and uncluttered place in their home. She
also suggests keeping a gym bag with workout clothes and sneakers in
an uncluttered area to make it easier to exercise. She recalls one
patient whose garage was "a solid cube of clutter." The woman cleaned
up her home and also lost about 50 pounds.
"It wasn't, at the end of the day, about her weight," Dr. Peeke
said. "It was about uncluttering at multiple levels of her life."
I have been the biggest witch I know. I am having EXTREME anger
issues. Like throwing stuff and breaking it. The extreme anger is
followed by extreme remorse. The anger part is what scares me.
Because I am afraid someone could get hurt. Has anyone else gone
through this?
Shenise
328/275/150
Open RNY, Oct. 29, 2007
Hi Jenn-
By the time we reach the point we are in our post surgery journey we have been
living basically in a state of starvation since we had our surgeries. Our
vitamin levels may appear fine on labs, but 1) it takes a while generally for a
vitamin or mineral depletion to reflect on bloodwork and 2) popping a pill every
day for nutrients isn't the same and is not as efficient as getting it from food
and 3) vitamin levels can be just fine, but the fact is that our bodies just
need more than we can give them to function at optimal level.
Those are her theories anyway, and they sound solid to me.
What do you all think?
~Ally~
Lap RNY 7/12/07
251/237/184/130
HW/SW/CW/GW
Yay, Valeri!! Another hurdle behind you!!
Jill
lap RNY 12-03-07
- 13.5 lbs.
Hi Lizanne:
The incision goes right from my elbow up to & into the armpit.
The incisions CAN BE shorter.....dependant on the amount of loose skin.
I had a bunch!!!! I could have taken flight in a stiff wind.
Again, my surgeon offered my a choice.....
I could have shorter scars.....if he left some extra skin.
Or..... I could be tight right to the elbow ...and a bit beyond.
I chose to go all the way....I didn't want to go "half way" after all of my
work to lose weight.
And TRULY.....the scars are on the inside of the arm.
Before surgery...I thought that I would never ever be able to wear another
short sleeve shirt.
I'm in t-shirts all the time.
My right arm.....the scar is extremely thin.....and almost all faded to that
whitish colour.
My left arm....(my dominant side..I'm left handed) the scar is a little
wider....just because I used my arm more during the early healing process.
I just had my arms done mid August.....I'm going to give it a year....he's
offered to do a scar revision if I'm not/he's not totally happy.
While he was in my arm pits he removed both the hair follicles & sweat
glands.
Ssssshhhh!!! .....listen.....you can hear me tap dancing all the way from
the great white north.
Dee
:-)
Debby,
Not that I know of. I'd love to do it, but right now I have more to
take care of than I can handle. Is anyone else available for Kay?
Jill
lap RNY 12-03-07
- 13.5 lbs.
That's one step out of the way!! Good for you. Naomi
vjshoem <vjshoem@...
I drove 1 hr 45 min to Union CIty
and had the 15 minutes with the psych person. I PASSED! We talked
about what I expected etc. So now I have an appt on Jan 22 for an
upper GI, and then officially on THE LIST!
Valeri in Lodi
Yipppee...another barrier crossed. I drove 1 hr 45 min to Union CIty
and had the 15 minutes with the psych person. I PASSED! We talked
about what I expected etc. So now I have an appt on Jan 22 for an
upper GI, and then officially on THE LIST!
Valeri in Lodi
There are alot of posts today so I may have missed it. Did Kay get a
surgery angel yet since her surgery is Monday?
Pat,
Once you unclutter, maybe you won't need the surgery according to
this article.
A Clutter Too Deep for Mere Bins and Shelves
After the holidays, many shoppers load up their carts with storage
bins, shelving systems and color-coded containers, all in a resolute
quest to get organized for the new year.
The country's collective desire to clean up is evident in the
proliferation of organization-oriented businesses like the Container
Store and California Closets. Reality shows like "Mission
Organization" on HGTV and "How Clean is Your House?" on Lifetime feed
a national obsession to declutter. The magazine Real Simple has even
created a $13 special issue on cleaning house.
Getting organized is unquestionably good for both mind and body
reducing risks for falls, helping eliminate germs and making it
easier to find things like medicine and exercise gear.
"If you can't find your sneakers, you aren't taking a walk," said Dr.
Pamela Peeke, assistant clinical professor of medicine at the
University of Maryland and the author of "Fit to Live" (Rodale,
2007), which devotes a section to the link between health and
organization. "How are you going to shoot a couple of hoops with your
son if you can't even find the basketball?"
But experts say the problem with all this is that many people are
going about it in the wrong way. Too often they approach clutter and
disorganization as a space problem that can be solved by acquiring
bins and organizers.
Measures like these "are based on the concept that this is a house
problem," said David F. Tolin, director of the anxiety disorders
center at the Institute of Living in Hartford and an adjunct
associate professor of psychiatry at Yale.
"It isn't a house problem," he went on. "It's a person problem. The
person needs to fundamentally change their behavior."
Excessive clutter and disorganization are often symptoms of a bigger
health problem. People who have suffered an emotional trauma or a
brain injury often find housecleaning an insurmountable task.
Attention deficit disorder, depression, chronic pain and grief can
prevent people from getting organized or lead to a buildup of
clutter. At its most extreme, chronic disorganization is called
hoarding, a condition many experts believe is a mental illness in its
own right, although psychiatrists have yet to formally recognize it.
Compulsive hoarding is defined, in part, by clutter that so overtakes
living, dining and sleeping spaces that it harms the person's quality
of life. A compulsive hoarder finds it impossible, even painful, to
part with possessions. It's not clear how many people suffer from
compulsive hoarding, but estimates start at about 1.5 million
Americans.
Dr. Tolin recently studied compulsive hoarders using brain-scan
technology. While in the scanner, hoarders looked at various
possessions and made decisions about whether to keep them or throw
them away. The items were shredded in front of them, so they knew the
decision was irreversible. When a hoarder was making decisions about
throwing away items, the researchers saw increased activity in the
orbitofrontal cortex, a part of the brain involved in decision-making
and planning.
"That part of the brain seemed to be stressed to the max," Dr. Tolin
said. By comparison, people who didn't hoard showed no extra brain
activity.
While hoarders are a minority, many psychologists and organization
experts say the rest of us can learn from them. The spectrum from
cleanliness to messiness includes large numbers of people who are
chronically disorganized and suffering either emotionally, physically
or socially. Cognitive behavioral therapy may help: a recent study of
hoarders showed that six months' therapy resulted in a marked decline
in clutter in the patient's living space.
Although chronic disorganization is not a medical diagnosis,
therapists and doctors sometimes call on professional organizers to
help patients. One of them is Lynne Johnson, a professional organizer
from Quincy, Mass., who is president of the National Study Group on
Chronic Disorganization.
Ms. Johnson explains that some people look at a shelf stacked with
coffee mugs and see only mugs. But people with serious
disorganization problems might see each one as a unique item a
souvenir from Yellowstone or a treasured gift from Grandma.
Many clients have already accumulated numerous storage bins and other
such items in a futile attempt to get organized. Usually the home
space is adequate, she says, but the challenge is in teaching them
how to group, sort, set priorities and discard.
Ms. Johnson says she often sees a link between her client's efforts
to get organized and weight loss. "I think someone decides, `I'm not
going to live like this anymore. I'm not going to hold onto my stuff,
I'm not going to hold onto my weight,'" she said. "I don't know that
one comes before the other. It's part of that same life-change
decision."
On its Web site, www.nsgcd.org, the group offers a scale to help
people gauge the seriousness of their clutter problem. It also
includes a referral tool for finding a professional organizer. But
since the hourly fees can range from $60 to $100 or more, it may be
worth consulting a new book by Dr. Tolin, "Buried in Treasures"
(Oxford, 2007), which offers self-assessments and advice for people
with hoarding tendencies.
Dr. Peeke says she often instructs patients trying to lose weight to
at least create one clean and uncluttered place in their home. She
also suggests keeping a gym bag with workout clothes and sneakers in
an uncluttered area to make it easier to exercise. She recalls one
patient whose garage was "a solid cube of clutter." The woman cleaned
up her home and also lost about 50 pounds.
"It wasn't, at the end of the day, about her weight," Dr. Peeke
said. "It was about uncluttering at multiple levels of her life."
thank you so much for your pictures.it was your kindness to let me see them.i am
so happy your soul is in a good condition.but i didn,t undrestand whether you
really want to quit the chemo drugs,or not. if so,isn,t it a big risk to take
natural things instead of chemo drugs? love parvin
Dear Parvin,
Glad you liked my pictures. Yes, I have quit the
chemo pills as of yesterday because I have to be off
of them for 6 weeks before doing the other treatment.
I don't know about what the oncologist will say about
that. I was supposed to go to see her tomorrow but we
are having a visit by Wilma, the hurricane. Today we
had some sunshine but tomorrow we will have lots of
high winds and lots of rain.
I know that I take a chance in quitting the chemo but
I thought I'd give this other protocol a try. If it
doesn't work, I can go back for more chemo. I spoke
to a patient who went to this clinic. He said the
hardest thing he had to do was to give up chemo. So,
it is a big decision. He has pancreatic cancer, a
very deadly and fast moving one. He had had all or
some of his stomach, liver, intestines, gall bladder
and pancreas removed. After treatment in the clinic
he had lots of energy and was out playing golf and
traveling.
Some of the things involved are the following:
1. The Budwig protocol of cottage cheese and flax
seed oil
2. Micronutrients
3. Infusions of massive amounts of Vit C
4. Hyperbaric oxygen (cancer hates oxygen)
5. (for women) Iodine
6. A strict diet...no meat or animal fat, no sugar,
lots of fresh veggies and fruit, etc.
7. Sunshine and fresh air
I don't know what else as I won't go until Dec. 5th.
Great line. I think I'll add that to my signature line.
Lizanne
Sex is like Air. Neither one matters unless you aren't getting any
PS Notice that I haven't listed my weight lately, I don't know what
it is, but I can't forget this great line.
Lizanne,
I wish I knew how to quilt but I also do not have a sewing machine either..
lol. I hope you can find someone to help teach you. You might be able to
find someone online, maybe at the library or maybe even the YMCA? Just some
thoughts thrown out there.. lol.
Anyway, I do my crocheting and it keeps me busy when I am not online. I
also have a library card now and am trying to read books and I still have
one on CD that I am trying to listen to.
As for cooking, I never have been a big one in the kitchen so that really
wouldn't interest me too much. I help my sister sometimes cook dinner but
not too much.
I had tallapia the other night and it tastes wonderful. I think I probably
ate too much but I couldn't get enough.. lol. We had steamed veges with it
too.. very healthy dinner.
--
Mary in FL
LAP RNY 1/26/2007
317/296/167/140
BS/ SW/CW/GW
My sister Yolanda (38) dx 6-04 with BC3, dx 10-05 with BC4 to brain,
liver, chest wall, etc..., she has run the gamut of chemo,
radiation, craniotomy, mastectomy, oopherectomy/hysterectomy, full
head radiation, multiple blood transfusions, as of last Thursday,
she was given the news that the latest chemo was not working, she
has been on so many, and her ONC seems unsure of what to do at this
point. Yolanda gets back results tomorrow - CAT scan to see if
there is any progression- she has a noticeable knot on her back
that is causing her pain and is taking hydrocodone, her ONc says hes
not sure if its cancer or not, but the CAT should give him more
insight. My question is has anyone ever went for a second opinion
after being with the same ONCologist for the last 2 years? My
sister is so scared to change doctors at this time but my gut
feelings tell me to convince her too, what are your thoughts, should
I let it go and let her stay with a doctor who is offering no hope,
or push her to change doctors?
My sister is 38, and a triple negative. Today is the first time she
has mentioned not being able to go back to work as a first grade
teacher, a job she has loved for 15 years.
Thanks for listening,
Andrea
People, please remember that your doctors have not been to pharmacy school Many
of them have no idea what they're talking about when it comes to medications.
Please, PLEASE do not take any medications crushed or split without getting
advice from a pharmacist!
~Ally~
Atlanta, GA
Lap RNY 7/12/07
251/237/174/130
HW/SW/CW/GW
Hi Ally,
I just read your post about the Therapist and I was wondering what she meant
about the tiredness. If our blood work is in the normal shouldn't that be o.k.?
I can see that for the Honeymoon period ending and the weight loss slowing down.
But even with that some of us our weight loss has been slow from the begining.
Just wondering.
I'm glad to hear her say that about the 5 day pouch test because even though
I have already done it once, I thought maybe it was awfully early to worry about
our pouches stretching. Whatever the case maybe it is nice to know these little
tidbits. Sometimes I think the professionals forget to tell us these things.
Jenn
Joanne,
I have tried the unjury chocolate and unflavored. The chocolate is ok but I
put the unflavored in jello and I could taste it and didn't like it. My son
tried it and said he could not tast it so once again we are all different. I
have a case of the profect (bullets). You can buy them on line at profect.com
but I found them in my local vitamin store under a different name New Whey but
it's the same stuff. I haven't tried them yet. they are expensive and I'm saving
them for after surgery when I can't drink much.
Debby
joanne <joanne1049@...
I have a question about the protien products. 1st and most important
is
what is a bullet? Is it disgusting tasting and who carries these?
Does anyone have a preferred website for a wide range of products or do
you all find it best to shop around for your different protien needs?
Of the people who say the protien drinks gag you, have you tried the
unjury stuff and did that gag you as well?
Finally, your most popular flavor when nothing else wants to go down?
Thank you all, BTW, if this is too much like a poll, if you want to
make this into a poll and then if you do, when would it close so us pre-
ops could read the results? And if you do make it into a poll could you
just delete this question? I'm saying that as there have been 500 posts
in under 3 whole days in here which is down right scarey to my strained
eyeballs which are just trying to keep up....
Joanne
I think it makes a lot of sense to avoid doing it first year because it
is hard to imagine those tiny new stomachs stretching out so far in
those early months. JMO but I think early plateaus are caused more by
the body's resistance to what it thinks is starvation rather than that
the person had been off track on their eating, eating the wrong foods
and 'needing to get back to basics'.
Joanne
Seattle
Lizanne,
I'm the same way! I search all over the i-net also, looking for
interesting recipes that will fit nicely with my newly chosen life-
style.
It seems to help me a lot, reinforcing I guess, to note that "nope,
can't have that." What I especially like doing is finding a recipe
that is not okay, and being able to make changes that turn it into
something very good for me to have.
I've always had a keen interest in everything associated with food,
from how to grow it, buy the best foods, prepare it, serve and
preserve it, cooking methods, etc. The interest continues further
into how our bodies use the foods with which we nourish ourselves. I
am fascinated by the similarities we share and the vast differences
between how we respond to the foods we eat.
Just the other day, I read an interesting article about gifted
children, in which was mentioned that one of the areas of giftedness
has to do with foods, and the sensitivity that some gifted children
have of tasting the flavors and deriving pleasure out of the
textures, even to the point of excess consumption of specific foods.
Children gifted in this specific area can be very particular about
which foods they will or will not eat, and have been known to refuse
to eat a food if it doesn't taste "right." It made me wonder how many
of us here on this site were/are "gifted" children.
Oh, and Lisa, I love Rachael Ray's relaxed approach to cooking and
eating!
Jill
lap RNY 12-03-07
- 13.5 lbs.
Kay,
Does Dr. Rowitz have a nutritionist on staff? Did you have any kind of
class with a NUT to learn how you would be eating at various post-op
stages? Have you had a one-on-one with a NUT? These are opportunities
to ask questions about what you need to do to nourish yourself well
after surgery.
My surgical team has an entire binder full of information about WLS,
including sections on nutrition and supplements. We also have access to
our NUT whenever we need additional help beyond what the binder offers
(and that binder is VERY thorough!!) We have written shopping lists,
and complete explanations of what we can add to our diet at each post-
op stage.
Besides all this, we have additional information given to us at most of
our live support group meetings, particularly as the holiday season
rolls around. We've received lots of recipes to help us not feel
deprived amidst all the festivities.
If you are unsure of what you should be doing, contact your surgeon's
office and get together with your NUT ASAP, hopefully before your
surgery! Each surgeon has their own recommended guidelines, and you
need to be doing what *YOUR* surgeon recommends for his patients.
Jill
lap RNY 12-03-07
- 13.5 lbs.
Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 09:57:23 -0800 (PST)
From: "Kay Walrath" <granskay@...
Mobile Alert
Joanne,
There has been a lot of posts lately. But it will probably be like
this now that the holidays are over. We gab far too much, but we
learn a lot also.
Protein bullets...I have seen them at GNC. They look like fat test
tubes and generally sit in a cardboard display box. There is a small
amount of liquid just packed full of protein. If you get the larger
one, about 42 gr pf protein, most people drink half now, half later.
It is similar to jello before it have completely gelled. You can
swallow it down fairly rapidly and get about 20 gr of protein in 3
oz. Not bad.
I can't comment on the protein shakes. I have only tried a few and
did not like any of them. The one I remember right off was EAS
something. UGH!! I bought Muscle milk yesterday and plan to use it
in my decaf coffee. I tried it last night...not bad. Tastes
somewhat like Metracal if you are old enough to remember that.
One thing to keep in mind...tastes change a LOT. What tastes good
before surgery, maybe not so good post surgery. What you can't
tolerate the first month after surgery, maybe okay in 3 months.
Don't buy too much of anything as that is one thing you can count
on....change.
The only thing I really lived on after surgery was fruit popsicles.
I never had a problem with artificial sweeteners, but SF anything
just tasted like chemicals to me. I loved the popsicles made with
real fruit, but the protein content of those are nil.
I also tried a protein powder from Traders Joes, I forget the name
but it is their brand of powder, Detour maybe. It did not offend the
first week after surgery, then it did.
Lizanne
I have a question about the protien products. 1st and most important is
what is a bullet? Is it disgusting tasting and who carries these?
Does anyone have a preferred website for a wide range of products or do
you all find it best to shop around for your different protien needs?
Of the people who say the protien drinks gag you, have you tried the
unjury stuff and did that gag you as well?
Finally, your most popular flavor when nothing else wants to go down?
Thank you all, BTW, if this is too much like a poll, if you want to
make this into a poll and then if you do, when would it close so us pre-
ops could read the results? And if you do make it into a poll could you
just delete this question? I'm saying that as there have been 500 posts
in under 3 whole days in here which is down right scarey to my strained
eyeballs which are just trying to keep up....
Joanne
thank you for the response. Yes they sent me home with some paper
work of what I could have I am just curious as to what others that
have been very sucessful have done? I appreciate it all. Yes I have
a wonderful supportive husband and my 14 yr old Granddaughter wants to
be here as well as my daughter. We will see. My daughter had the
surgery, but she had it in Mexico and things are a lot different than
I have read on here. I need an angel for sure. Kay
Mindy,
Wow, you must be so happy. That's an amazing amount of weight.
Great job,
Edie
Hi - Just a note to let you all know that Pat Baker in Florida
(thebzplace) passed on Labor Day.
I only spoke with Tom briefly as I was driving home from work.
May she be at peace.
Susan,
Well.. you are keeping us hanging.. did you say YES?
On Eharmony.com how much did you have to pay monthly to be a member. My
problem with any of those dating sites, I do not have money to pay the
Dee,
How long ago did you have that? How long did it take the swelling to go
down? How much did all that skin weigh?
You must look and feel great!
I'm really happy for you.
Edie
11/15/07
lap rny
302/292/262.0/150's
hw/sw/cw/goal
The statistics I found were that if the woman was thin when she
married, the divorce rate is about the same, or slightly higher,
than in the general population. If the woman was heavy when she
married, however, and then has surgery and loses weight, the divorce
rate goes up as high as 80+%. (All of the studies I saw were based
on the woman having the surgery since about 75% of WLS patients are
women.)
I understand your point, but keep in mind that there are a LOT of
couples who just settle into a comfortable routine with each other
and stay together because it isn't a hateful situation and staying
is easier than leaving and having to be alone and look for a new
relationship, etc. When one partner upsets the status quo (by
having WLS, by unexpectedly having a child, by becoming ill, or even
by changing careers), however, that comfort level decreases,
adjustments have to be made, insecurities, jealousy, and resentments
can arise, etc. Getting "unstuck" in one area of your life (weight
loss, in thsi case) almost always has an impact of other areas of
your life, especially other areas in which you have been "stuck"...
and you may not hve even realized you were stuck in those areas
UNTIL the one area changed.
Keep in mind, too, that for women who have always been heavy, the
personality changes may not be at all subtle, and may rub the
partner the wrong way.
Yes, some of the marriages that break up after WLS MAY have broken
up eventually anyway, but some of them would likely have just
continued on.
Lora
Sharon I think its special. I decided that I would help out anyone having
surgery in a hospital in my area (bay area) so I can visit them. It would help
me to be involved and hopefully help them feel a little better. I am truly
excited to be an angel, I am taking it to heart, I guess it makes it a little
more special when you've met the person. Maybe not but that's how I feel since I
met debby and alex and we are preop going through the process I feel like we are
buds and need to give extra support but I WILL be an angel to anyone who needs
one.. I''m sure we will help Alex as much as he needs
Judy R.
"It's All Easier With Friends"
Be Blessed In All Your Steps
Kaiser-Fremont, CA
262/246
HW/CW
so your saying you CRAVE SEX?
~*Sharon XOXO*~
"THIN feels better than FAT tastes!"
Lap RNY 7/30/07
HW242**SW232**CW173**GW125-130
pat,
You may not want to stop your subscriptions. I have become addicted
to food info. I love the cooking channels, I read recipes all the
time, I even read room service menus when in a hotel. I am addicted
to info, but so far, I have not been addicted to ANY carbs. I baked
and cooked at Christmas, yet I didn't take a single bite of sweets.
I am glad I found a non-caloric replacement for my carb addiction.
Don't know what good it does to look at all this food stuff. Maybe
it just reinforses my ability to say "no". I read or watch this
stuff and I constantly say, "nope, can't have that". Who knows, but
so far it's working.
Lizanne
i am actually . . 1 lb thinner :)
~*Sharon XOXO*~
"THIN feels better than FAT tastes!"
Lap RNY 7/30/07
HW242**SW232**CW173**GW125-130
Pat,
I think we confuse you quite often. Kay sent this to my personal
email. I was just posting it for her. Thanks for pointing that out.
Lizanne
Kay,
You have asked a lot of questions here and are probably very nervous.
Did you see a nutritionist? Did she/he give you some guidelines? The
reason I ask is that we have all been given different guidelines by
our nutritionists before the surgery. I could eat almost anything
with protein as long as I chewed it well, but most people were put on
a liquid diet. This consists of...Sugar Free popsicles, protein
shakes, broth, sugar free jello, protein bullets, anything with no
sugar that will slide down easy. After a week of that you can go
to...Sf Pudding, eggs, smashed beens, Carnation Instant Breakfast,
cottage cheese, "soft proteins". Then onto anything pureed or well
chewed a couple of weeks after that. Stay away from white flour,
rice, pasta, sugar/sweets, bread and concentrate on proteins and
fluids. Your goal by the end of the first month is to TRY to get in
64 oz of water and 70 grams of protein.
This is all very sketchy, but someone will give you guidelines. This
was in case you have nothing to go on.
Everyone worries about this surgery. Do you have someone who will be
home with you the first few days to help you get all your walking and
fluids in? You will need to walk at the hospital and at home to work
out all your pains from surgery.
There have been people your age having this surgery. I have heard
that they have done well. We have Naomi and Penny in this group who
are 60 and are doing quite well. Maybe they have already responded to
you.
Lizanne
Thanks for letting us know. I will keep the family in my prayers.
Hugs
Marianne
Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life
http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html
Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:
http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html
also check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:
http://www.cancerclub.com
I'm a scroller too. It's so much easier. Sometimes by the time you
get the digest, that subject is long gone. Besides, have you ever
tried getting individual emails? What a mess that is. I like coming
here a scrolling while I have time, and only have to look at 10
emails or 50 if time allows.
Lizanne
Lora,
Are there any statistics concerning the marriage desolution?
We hear a lot about couples not making it through the changes, but
how many are happier? My brother was going through a divorce during
the time of his surgery and recovery. I think that his wife may have
stayed around after his surgery, but she figured that this would not
work either.
I am not married or in a serious relationship, but I would think that
for about a year after the surgery there would be a lot of changes
that could occur. Then I would think that your personality would
settle into its own spot. The dynamics of the relationship might
change but the basics would still be there....meaning you would still
love each each, cherish your relationship and memories, but some of
the more subtleties would change. I don't know since I am not a year
post op or married, but logic would seem to dictate something similar
to the scenerio. I think the majority of marriages that don't work,
wouldn't have worked in the long run. the surgery may have just made
it happen sooner. The patient would have enough self-confidence to
leave a life-sucking relationship, where it may have taken some large
awakening to leave it otherwise. Make sense?
Just another point of view.
Lizanne
Joanne, if you show up at my house, I promise I will make prime rib and potato
pancakes for you!
My birthday is Sept 13 (thus the 0913 in my nick... don't want anyone to
forget!). I'm a virgo (which is Latin for "no")
Pat
joanne <joanne1049@...
scratch potato pancakes, sauteed fresh asparagus, and mushroom sauce
made with *6* varieties of mushrooms. Plus salad and crescent
rolls. You'll never know what *else* you missed!
This is starting to sound like pure bribery if you ask me! Are you
DARING me to head to El Paso??? I live just 9 minutes from the
airport you know, I could be there in no time. Of course you likely
gave all the good stuff to those wall-climbing neighbors!
I heard only monkeys do that.... No wait, that was Aquarians. When is
your birthday?
Joanne
No... I don't think that's it... let's just keep trying.....
Pat
I think that maybe, just possibly, those 7000 digests that I have
received with 25 posts PER DIGEST in my inbox in the past 24 hours may
just have some little thing to do with the slight lack of male
attention in here. I kinda figured they have all gathered together and
formed a pact to poke each other's eyes out with sharp sticks rather
than look at one more digest.........
jmho
Joanne
Lisa & Jill,
I agree with you both....no sugar for me. Those carbs just start the
carb craving and once that starts it will be all over for me. I want
to put it off as long as I can stand it. So far no DIRE cravings.
It's like sex....once you know how good it is it's hard to stop. But
when you don't have any idea what it is, it's easy to not crave it.
TMI?
Lizanne
Dee,
How did you end up with no arm pit hair? Did they cut up that far
for your bat wing surgery? Did they actually cut through your arm
pit and sew it back together without the hairy part?
Lizanne
Talk about confused.... Lizanne is really Kay?? Or vice versa???
lizanneflowers <lizanneflowers@...
op today and I am really nervous now. The
countdown is here. I am scheduled for 8am on the 7th. I am excited
but afraid also. I thought I would have a what to eat as soon as
surgery is done talk today, but I didn't. I am confused. When the
surgery is done and we come home, what is the best liquid to take and
in what doses? Maybe they will discuss all of this before releasing
me from hospital. I surely hope so. I have heard so many sucecess
storeis on here, and not a log of negatives and that is helping me
cope. I think this will be wonderful. I am 64 years old and I have
not heard of anybody my age having it? Is anybody out here older
that had it?? Any and all help is appreciated now. Thanks Kay
Sharon,
So did you lose weight? Haven't we found that when we whine a
little, we lose weight? You must be a little thinner this morning.
Lizanne
I went for all my pre op today and I am really nervous now. The
countdown is here. I am scheduled for 8am on the 7th. I am excited
but afraid also. I thought I would have a what to eat as soon as
surgery is done talk today, but I didn't. I am confused. When the
surgery is done and we come home, what is the best liquid to take and
in what doses? Maybe they will discuss all of this before releasing
me from hospital. I surely hope so. I have heard so many sucecess
storeis on here, and not a log of negatives and that is helping me
cope. I think this will be wonderful. I am 64 years old and I have
not heard of anybody my age having it? Is anybody out here older
that had it?? Any and all help is appreciated now. Thanks Kay
Joanne, if I drink anything fast I get a pain in my chest, especially if it is a
cold drink. I have learned to be a "sipper" Naomi
joanne <joanne1049@...
get stuck. Odd to say water will get
Could you tell me what that means? And how long that lasts?
Joanne
Seattle
It is "The Easy Way To Stop Smoking" by Allen Carr. It is sitting on
my couch as I purchased it from Amazon, most likely from a tip from
you last month. It came in the day After Christmas only because I was
trying to get 25 bucks worth of books together so I could get free
shipping.
I also seem to remember seeing Ashton Kutcher on Letterman one night
last year talking about this very book. I can't imagine there could
possibly be another book that would have told him to light his last
cig just as this book does.
I am on P. 170, about 30 pages away from "your last Cigarette". I was
hoping to be to that part of the book for a New Years Resolution but
as I had some little party here and then saw that there were a new
million digests in my inbox, I chose to catch up in here and finish
the book by either tomorrow or by Sunday. I am more hopeful for
tomorrow as I return to work on Friday and would prefer to be a
practicing non-smoker by then, but I am comfortable if that does not
happen and it goes to Sunday, like he said, no pressure, it will come
as I am ready if I have to re-read sections in order to quit forever.
Joanne
PS, I was trying to turn my oil changing guy onto the book tonight as
a matter of fact.
Although I'm not entirely sure how water gets stuck (not that I'm
questioning Lisa in any way... we all have such different post-op
experiences), I have personally never had any liquid get stuck, so I
just wanted you to know that it isn't something that happens to
everyone.
Lora
They may very well have married for all the right reasons, may have
been very much in love and very compatible, and may have REMAINED
married if not for the WLS. I have been doing a lot of professional
research on the psychological effects of WLS (since so few
counselors seem to know much about it... many of my colleagues had
no idea about some of the basic issues following WLS), and in many
cases the emotional strain of one partner developing a new body, new
self-image, new coping skills, and new ways of relating to the world
is simply too much for the other partner, and the marriage to bear.
This is particularly true if the person who had the WLS had been
heavy his or her whole life, because they learned to relate to
people, and learned how they "fit" in the world based on their
weight and how they were treated because of the weight... when the
weight is gone and they feel differently about themselves, and start
to be treated differently, and start to interact with the world
differently, it also changes the way they interact with, and relate
to, their partners. Then there are also the cases when the partner
becomes very insecure about being left for "someone better", or
doesn't like the WLS person's new assertiveness or confidence... and
cases where the person who had the surgery DOES go out and
find "someone better" (or someone more suitable for them, or someone
who treats them better).
Lora
Hi Fi,
I am sorry to hear you are in pain. I will keep you in my prayers. Please let us
know what you find out.
Hugs
Marianne
Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life
http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html
Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:
http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html
also check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:
http://www.cancerclub.com
Hi Ally,
I am trying to grow and learn every day. Let me say it isn't eash to get
through sometimes. I am still being pulled backwards by the co-dependency
and with my EX. We still have really bad tax issues we are dealing with.
He called me last night and sounded great. I think he is taking control of
his life too and realizing it isn't in a can of beer.
I am really struggling with depression trying to sneak it's way in. With
not being able to find a job yet, it makes it worse financially. Some days
I feel it was a mistake moving down here... after all, I had a job, a great
place to live and friends there. Now I do have family around which helps
but no job doesn't. I know I have to be patient but that doesn't pay the
bills...
I do not sleep through the night anymore.. am usually up by 5 am and have
real problems getting back to sleep. Right now I am just exhausted and my
sleeping pills do not work for me anymore. I do have my antidepressents
with me that I filled before I got off of them. I might just have to start
again at least until I get past this rocky part.
College has been on my mind for a while now.. I just hope I will be able to
follow through with it one day soon. Thanks for the encouragement and
support!
--
Mary in FL
LAP RNY 1/26/2007
317/296/167/140
BS/ SW/CW/GW
get stuck. Odd to say water will get
Could you tell me what that means? And how long that lasts?
Joanne
Seattle
Ally,
It sounds like you had a positive experience. Interesting to learn
that months 5-8 are stressful ones post-op. Thanks for being willing
to share what you are learning with all of us.
Jill
lap RNY 12-03-07
- 13.5 lbs.
scratch potato pancakes, sauteed fresh asparagus, and mushroom sauce
made with *6* varieties of mushrooms. Plus salad and crescent
rolls. You'll never know what *else* you missed!
This is starting to sound like pure bribery if you ask me! Are you
DARING me to head to El Paso??? I live just 9 minutes from the
airport you know, I could be there in no time. Of course you likely
gave all the good stuff to those wall-climbing neighbors!
I heard only monkeys do that.... No wait, that was Aquarians. When is
your birthday?
Joanne
Hi guys-
I had my first therapy appointment tonight as some of you know. I just wanted
to give a quick update on how things went.
The therapist I have chosen is the one who did my pre-op evaluation. It's odd
that I would've chosen her because she actually said in my report to the surgeon
that she thought I was bipolar. That held up my surgery and made me have to
seek a second opinion, but overall I was just impressed with her willingness to
be honest about a problem she perceived and not just shuffle me through like
some doctors will do. She was suprised that I wasn't mad at her.
Anyway...
The session went well. She is just like I thought she would be. Frank and
honest. I don't really have any major issues other than I miss my friend food
and I need some help dealing with it. I expressed to her my concern about
medication and she said we'd do what we could to get me on track without it.
She also told me that from her experience (and she has a lot with bariatric
patients) the 5th to 8th month are the hardest that any WLS patient will go
through. She said there were several reasons for that...the malnourishment,
tiredness, hair loss, weight loss slowing down, honeymoon period wearing off,
etc. Her saying that really made me feel much better and not so abnormal.
She also told me that the 5 day pouch test was unnecessary at this point in my
recovery, and was depriving my body of the food it was craving. She said it was
good for people a year or two out, but really unnecessary for people who were
only 6 months out like me. I'm going to keep on with it though since I'm
already through the hard part. I mostly eat protein anyway, so at this point
it's no sweat.
Really tonight we just chit chatted and got to know each other, and my next
appointment is not until Jan. 22nd, but as we discuss things I think may be
helpful to the group I will be sure to pass them along. :)
<3
~Ally~
Lap RNY 7/12/07
251/237/184/130
HW/SW/CW/GW
Glad it went well Ally! :-)
Lisa W
380/169/160
Lap RNY 6.26.06
Hi There-
I was nervous too...so nervous! I remember waking up the morning of my surgery
and just crying for about an hour. Being scared and nervous is healthy and
normal.
As far as the negative feedback goes, just try to be gracious is my advice.
People are so inept sometimes and they struggle for the right thing to day.
They don't know what to say, so they just say anything and it usually comes out
all wrong. I just thank them for their feedback and go on about my business.
Do you have a surgery angel? Don't forget to pack your chapstick. That's
really the only thing I could not have lived without at the hospital.
~Ally~
Lap RNY 7/12/07
251/237/184/130
HW/SW/CW/GW
Hi,
It's perfectly normal that you're nervous but try not to worry, I'm
sure everything will be OK! As for your friends who are being negative-
ignore them, they're probably envious that you've taken charge of your
life which maybe they don't have the courage to do. Assure them you'll
still be the same lovable person after weight loss!
Take care,
Suzanne
And for those of us who started at OVER 300 (ouch!) pounds and are
approaching (or in) Onederland... I think it's even more amazing.
We have ALL done a great job and deserve to pat ourselves on the back
(now we *can* again!)
Lora
I'm only days away from my surgery...okay the 29th is my day. I am
starting to get really nervous and I have some folks that are giving me
negative feedback saying that I will change. It makes me feel terrible
as does that mean that I was only a "good and nice" as a fat person?
If you can lose weight on the medifast then why can't you do that all
the time????
Are you kidding me. So aside from all that I am just getting a bit
nervous about surgery. Any kind words of support and guidance.
Thanks.
Wow, is all you can say, WOW, I'm so happy for you.
You are an inspiration :o)
Great job,
Edie
11/15/07
lap rny
302/292/263.2/150's
hw/sw/cw/goal
I heard from my daughter last night!!!!! She says she has a large cyst under
her arm, I told her to go the E.R. I'm so glad she called me. I've been seeing
someone for the last month. We almost broke up the other day. I did actually
break up with him, but he came over to salvage things and it was brought up
that my dealing with cancer scares him, and he's bothered by my not being able
to have babies. And then I finally told him about the mastectomies, because he
wanted to know why I was so uncomfortable about my chest. He doesn't care
though and I feel so much better now. Other then a few problems that we are
getting through, he's awesome! I don't know if I've told you about how I'm
doing cancer wise lately. The chest area just had strands in it that where
unmeasurable, and the lesion in the liver hasn't gotten bigger or smaller. I
missed my appointment for the consultation on reconstruction that I had been
waiting nine to ten months for. I was heart broken, but they
have me re-scheduled for the sixth of next month, so that well soon be
underway. Hope everyone is doing okay.
Hugs
Audrey
Andrea,
I would have her go to somewhere like Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson etc. They have
tumor boards there and they review all of your records/tests and then meet with
you to discuss their findings. I will keep her in my prayers.
Hugs
Marianne
Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life
http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html
Check out my other ornaments at
www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html
Lots of info and gifts at:
www.cancerclub.com
CinDWood Crafts
http://www.cindwoodcrafts.com
Thank you Jill. . Im excited w/ the new income. .
~*Sharon XOXO*~
"THIN feels better than FAT tastes!"
Lap RNY 7/30/07
HW242**SW232**CW174**GW125-130
Thanks for the compliment, and I'm glad I haven't hurt your feelings. In the
beginning of any group you feel like an outsider, but you just gotta jump in
and test the waters. I look to support groups for support, we all have to
remember that we are from different area's of the country, grew up with
different social norms, different religions... and we have to try to
remember that for the most part we are all here to help or be helped. I
know sometimes I just read and don't have time to post a response, or I
think, well, they've already gotten allot of responses so I don't reply and
just delete. Other times I feel that if people don't respond frequently,
what a boring site it would be and that's not what anyone wants either.
We'll just have to try to do the best we can, with what we know.
Anyways, I'm rambling...Thanks for the response.
Edie
11/15/07
lap rny
302/292/252/150's
hw/sw/cw/goal
Sharon, I fill my pill case at the beginning of the week and I threw out the
empty bottle because I need to go to my pcp tomorrow and get a new scrip. I am
really stupid because I have no idea what I am taking. I used to take zocor,
but he put me on something else. I have only been back on for abt a month.
Naomi
Sharon Buffo <septsweety@...
pills . .whats your cholesterol? what pills do they have you on?
~*Sharon XOXO*~
"THIN feels better than FAT tastes!"
Lap RNY 7/30/07
HW242**SW232**CW174**GW125-130
Lizanne, I actually made a separate folder for every person and there are quite
a few MIA. WE MISS YOU!!!
BARBARA W. is having surgery Monday. :)
Judy --- NEW YEAR, NEW US!
"Everything Is Easier With Friends"
"Be Blessed In All Your Steps"
Kaiser-Fremont, CA
262
I'm on board Ally, it has gone rather easy today, but I'm not feeling very well
so that may actually be helping!! lol Naomi
Allison <allisonmarie22@...
all day!! I better not be the only one suffering through this torture!! ;)
~Ally~
Lap RNY 7/12/07
251/237/184/130
HW/SW/CW/GW
I love spicy and probably more than before! I really lost my tastes for
sweets. When I get crazy and have a bite of cookie, cheesecake, whatever, it
really isn't good and I swear I get a stomach ache. I no longer am tempted!!
Hot and spicy, now that's another story. Naomi
2amazu <amazu70@...
spicy foods. For example, I eat
Jalapenos out of the jar as a snack and everything I eat must be
extremely spicy for me to tolerate it. Is this strange? I don't even
like the taste of anything sweetened (artificially or otherwise) and
never liked things extremely spicy pre-surgery.
Shenise
Open RNY, 10/29/07
328/275/150 (I took the scale out of hiatus for a weigh-in this
morning)
Hi Edie-
Unfortunately lactose intolerance is something that some people deal with after
surgery, and for some it goes away and some it does not.
I dont have any suggestions for you unfortunately, but I will keep my fingers
crossed that it gets better for you. I don't know how I'd live without my
cheese! I've been so grumpy the last 2 days not having it. lol (I know that
sounds goofy, but of all the things I eat, I miss my morning cheese the most)
~Ally~
Lap RNY 7/12/07
251/237/184/130
HW/SW/CW/GW
Hi all,
It seems I am becoming lactose intolerant, I have switched to egg protein
for my shakes but I am trying to avoid lactose now, any suggestions for
bar's, or anything else, you think I need to know, I'd appreciate it.
My main question is does this go away? Please say yes :o)
Thanks,
Edie
11/15/07
lap rny
302/292/26