Re: scared to death

[Guest guest]

At 09:11 PM 3/1/2002 +0000, you wrote:

>Please, can anyone who has had radical cholesteatoma surgery please

>email me..... I have surgery on March 11th and I can't sleep, eat or

>anything. How painful will it be in recovery. The doctor wants to

>perform this surgery in an outpatient location and I have insisted on

>an inpatient proceedure. I have a low pain tolerance combined with a

>non tolerance to pain meds......... PLEASE EMAIL ME if you have had

>this done! ****** JoDene*****

JoDene,

I have sent you a response directly, but thought of a few more things. If

your doctor does this in an outpatient setting, is it in a hospital (or

close by) so you can be admitted to inpatient, if needed? I was supposed

to be outpatient, but after a long surgery, nausea from the anesthesia and

that I would have to ride two hours round trip for a dressing change/wound

check the next morning, I was able to stay. Some of the other Listers have

breezed through C-toma surgery and been home, happily tucked into their own

beds a few hours out of the recovery room. That would sure be my

preference. Everyone knows it's nearly impossible to get any rest in the

hospital!

Keep in touch. This is a great group in which to be a member.

Diane Brunet

[Guest guest]

" ctomaldy40 " <J4Fashon@...> writes:

> Please, can anyone who has had radical cholesteatoma surgery please

> email me..... I have surgery on March 11th and I can't sleep, eat or

> anything. How painful will it be in recovery. The doctor wants to

> perform this surgery in an outpatient location and I have insisted on

> an inpatient proceedure. I have a low pain tolerance combined with a

> non tolerance to pain meds......... PLEASE EMAIL ME if you have had

> this done! ****** JoDene*****

Firstly - welcome to the group. You'll find lots of support and good

listeners here. :-)

If you haven't yet had a look at <http://www.cholesteatoma.org>, I'd

recommend you do. You'll find over 400 case studies posted by people

who have been through this. In most instances you are invited to

contact the individuals if you'd like more information. Along with

this list, it's perhaps the most useful information for those of us

with cholesteatoma on the Internet. The medical web sites

are useful too, but can sometimes be a little lacking in the kind of

information you can only really get from fellow sufferers.

You will pull through this - and we'll be here to help and listen as

you do :-)

--

Pete

pete@...

-------------------------------------------------------------

MaVerick - Open Source MultiValue Database Management System

Check out the website -> http://www.maverick-dbms.org

[Guest guest]

I had a radical mastoidectomy last July. Mine was done as an outpatient,

even though I live two hours away from the hospital. The worst part

about the surgery is that you can be very dizzy for a day or two after

it's over. The actual day of the surgery is the worst, though. I was

nauseous and my head was really spinning every time I moved for the

first few hours. After that, it seemed to get better.Even the long ride

home didn't bother me too much, though they did give me something for

the nausea before I left. The recovery time was only a few days. I was

back to work within one week. Good luck to you, hope it goes really

well.

Cheryl

ctomaldy40 wrote:

> Please, can anyone who has had radical cholesteatoma surgery please

> email me..... I have surgery on March 11th and I can't sleep, eat or

> anything. How painful will it be in recovery. The doctor wants to

> perform this surgery in an outpatient location and I have insisted on

> an inpatient proceedure. I have a low pain tolerance combined with a

> non tolerance to pain meds......... PLEASE EMAIL ME if you have had

> this done! ****** JoDene*****

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much!

I went today for the peop consult only to be rushed to a cardiologist due to high blood pressure. I am now on medicine for that and after many tests, I will return Friday for him to read those results and decide if we can go forward with the surgery. The proceedure is to be done outpatient. It is a wall up one so the surgeon seems to think I will be fine...... Any feed back on what you have experienced or opinions is greatly appreciated.......

Thanx~ JoDene~

[Guest guest]

At 10:38 PM 3/5/2002 -0500, you wrote:

>Thank you so much!

>

> I went today for the peop consult only to be

> rushed to a cardiologist due to high blood pressure. I am now on

> medicine for that and after many tests, I will return Friday for him to

> read those results and decide if we can go forward with the surgery. The

> proceedure is to be done outpatient. It is a wall up one so the surgeon

> seems to think I will be fine...... Any feed back on what you have

> experienced or opinions is greatly appreciated.......

> Thanx~ JoDene~

Good thing they took care of your BP right away. Wall up surgery isn't

quite as complicated and extensive as wall down (or open canal, another

term for it). If your surgeon thinks you will do fine outpatient, you

will. Outpatient is considered anything less than 24 hours.

Diane

[Guest guest]

Dear Kat,

Fogive me if this is a duplicate -- I'm new to posting. You might like to visit

www.dancerhips.com. I found it while researching my own THR.

Best of luck to you!

> Hi everyone. I'm new to the group and about to undergo THR on Nov.

> 17th. I'm terrified that my life will never be the same. I'm a

> dancer and was very active....now this. I've been all over the

> internet and cannot calm my fears. Every piece of literature is

> different. Can anyone tell me how soon they wentback to work and

> does anyone here do pilates of yoga? Can you still do some of these

> exercises? Did anyone take Vitamin C before surgery for better

> healing? Thanks for your support. Kat

[Guest guest]

I am a 51 year old female. I had both my right hip and knee replaced in the past two and 1/2 years. Part of my rehab was/is water aerobics in which we do a variety of moves, many similar to pilates and yoga. Other than certain moves putting the hip in stress--such as early breaking the 90 degree rule--I can do them all. I often out do my younger and non-replacement classmates. I am in better shape now than the 10 years before the surgeries. Good luck to you, I think you should be fine. The surgery pain goes away quickly and then the desire to get moving is intense! God bless. Kathi

-----Original Message-----From: qeltickat [mailto:QelticKAT@...]Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2003 8:02 AMJoint Replacement Subject: scared to deathHi everyone. I'm new to the group and about to undergo THR on Nov. 17th. I'm terrified that my life will never be the same. I'm a dancer and was very active....now this. I've been all over the internet and cannot calm my fears. Every piece of literature is different. Can anyone tell me how soon they wentback to work and does anyone here do pilates of yoga? Can you still do some of these exercises? Did anyone take Vitamin C before surgery for better healing? Thanks for your support. Kat

[Guest guest]

You don't tell us much about your age or the reason for your THR but

in answer to your fear that your life will never be the same: On

this you are correct - but it will be IMPROVED from your current

situation. If you have had osteoarthritis, the pain will be gone and

normal pain-free walking will be restored. It truly is miraculous

surgery.

The timing of THR patients' return to work depends a lot on the

nature of their jobs - obviously more sedentary jobs can be resumed

earlier than jobs that are more physically taxing.

I've had two THRs and have considered starting pilates but am not

sure now that I'd like it if I have to get up and down from a mat on

the floor; that's not easy for me to do any more. I never did yoga

and am not about to start now (I can't even sit Indian style or cross

my legs at the knee any more) Maybe someone who actually does yoga

successfully after THR will respond here. From reading other posts I

think some people do try these things. Outcomes differ from one

person to another so don't let one person's limitations or

accomplishments lead you to expect the same for yourself.

Have you asked your surgeon what you may expect in terms of the kind

of dancing that you do and the kind of exercising that is recommended

for you after your hip heals? He is your best source of information

right now since he knows your case and the surgical procedure that he

will do. After surgery, your physical therapist can also be a good

source of advice on exercise, keeping in mind any precautions,

temporary or permament, that your surgeon decrees.

Best of luck with your surgery. It will eventually change your life

for the better.

Joint Replacement , " qeltickat " <QelticKAT@m...>

wrote:

> Hi everyone. I'm new to the group and about to undergo THR on Nov.

> 17th. I'm terrified that my life will never be the same. I'm a

> dancer and was very active....now this. I've been all over the

> internet and cannot calm my fears. Every piece of literature is

> different. Can anyone tell me how soon they wentback to work and

> does anyone here do pilates of yoga? Can you still do some of

these

> exercises? Did anyone take Vitamin C before surgery for better

> healing? Thanks for your support. Kat

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/29/2004 2:27:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,

writes:

You all are making me SCARED TO DEATH to have kids and ruin my

body.

Don't worry. While everyone is different... I personally don't see much of a

difference in my body due to pregnancy. I didn't exercise before or after

pregnancy. I gained about 35 pounds during the pregnancy. I had two very large

babies. My tummy was big. I guess I just have good skin because I don't

have any stretch marks. If anything, my breasts have drooped lower. Could be

from breast feeding or maybe it's just age and gravity... I don't know. I also

had two c-section bikini cuts. The scar is hardly noticible and not raised.

It would never show if I wore a bikini unless it was an extremely low cut one

which would look ridicuously too small.

[Guest guest]

I guess I don't have very good skin. I have stretch marks from

gaining a relatively small amount of weight. I can't imagine

stretching it to a size of a baby!

BUT...one reason I'm doing BFL is to change my life so that when

it's time...I'll be in tip-top shape and be able to " spring " back

easier. If I can lose 30lbs...I'll already have those existing

stretch marks to use again anyway! But like I said in my first

post...I don't even have a boyfriend...so I guess I have plenty of

time to " think " and " de-scare " myself. haha And if need be...thank

goodness for tummy tucks and boob lifts!

> In a message dated 6/29/2004 2:27:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> writes:

> You all are making me SCARED TO DEATH to have kids and ruin my

> body.

>

> Don't worry. While everyone is different... I personally don't

see much of a

> difference in my body due to pregnancy. I didn't exercise before

or after

> pregnancy. I gained about 35 pounds during the pregnancy. I had

two very large

> babies. My tummy was big. I guess I just have good skin because

I don't

> have any stretch marks. If anything, my breasts have drooped

lower. Could be

> from breast feeding or maybe it's just age and gravity... I don't

know. I also

> had two c-section bikini cuts. The scar is hardly noticible and

not raised.

> It would never show if I wore a bikini unless it was an extremely

low cut one

> which would look ridicuously too small.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have 3 kids, and not one stretch mark..........use a really good quality

lotion and keep your skin from getting to dry............ trust me it

helps....I was 125 pounds and got up to 190 with my last baby,,,

-- Re: SCARED TO DEATH

I guess I don't have very good skin. I have stretch marks from

gaining a relatively small amount of weight. I can't imagine

stretching it to a size of a baby!

BUT...one reason I'm doing BFL is to change my life so that when

it's time...I'll be in tip-top shape and be able to " spring " back

easier. If I can lose 30lbs...I'll already have those existing

stretch marks to use again anyway! But like I said in my first

post...I don't even have a boyfriend...so I guess I have plenty of

time to " think " and " de-scare " myself. haha And if need be...thank

goodness for tummy tucks and boob lifts!

> In a message dated 6/29/2004 2:27:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> writes:

> You all are making me SCARED TO DEATH to have kids and ruin my

> body.

>

> Don't worry. While everyone is different... I personally don't

see much of a

> difference in my body due to pregnancy. I didn't exercise before

or after

> pregnancy. I gained about 35 pounds during the pregnancy. I had

two very large

> babies. My tummy was big. I guess I just have good skin because

I don't

> have any stretch marks. If anything, my breasts have drooped

lower. Could be

> from breast feeding or maybe it's just age and gravity... I don't

know. I also

> had two c-section bikini cuts. The scar is hardly noticible and

not raised.

> It would never show if I wore a bikini unless it was an extremely

low cut one

> which would look ridicuously too small.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have been lurking for a bit here. I am on Challenge 1 Week 5 and day 3! I

had gained 80 lbs with my DD (dear daughter)

I lost the 30 lbs fairly quickly and am now in the process of losing the last

50. I still have a little belly hang, but a lot has gone away in the last 4

weeks!

What about the breastfeeding moms? Did your mammaries spring back to it's

original perkiness before baby? Or do they seem more like they got smaller or

even worse....deflated!!! )

Deflated or not I am glad I did it, but now I " want my body back!!!!!!! "

Paige

Re: SCARED TO DEATH

I guess I don't have very good skin. I have stretch marks from

gaining a relatively small amount of weight. I can't imagine

stretching it to a size of a baby!

BUT...one reason I'm doing BFL is to change my life so that when

it's time...I'll be in tip-top shape and be able to " spring " back

easier. If I can lose 30lbs...I'll already have those existing

stretch marks to use again anyway! But like I said in my first

post...I don't even have a boyfriend...so I guess I have plenty of

time to " think " and " de-scare " myself. haha And if need be...thank

goodness for tummy tucks and boob lifts!

> In a message dated 6/29/2004 2:27:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> writes:

> You all are making me SCARED TO DEATH to have kids and ruin my

> body.

>

> Don't worry. While everyone is different... I personally don't

see much of a

> difference in my body due to pregnancy. I didn't exercise before

or after

> pregnancy. I gained about 35 pounds during the pregnancy. I had

two very large

> babies. My tummy was big. I guess I just have good skin because

I don't

> have any stretch marks. If anything, my breasts have drooped

lower. Could be

> from breast feeding or maybe it's just age and gravity... I don't

know. I also

> had two c-section bikini cuts. The scar is hardly noticible and

not raised.

> It would never show if I wore a bikini unless it was an extremely

low cut one

> which would look ridicuously too small.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I agree -- I want my body back. I'm 9.5 weeks post pardom and

getting started with my routine. I can't lose this fat fast enough.

Jen

> I have been lurking for a bit here. I am on Challenge 1 Week 5 and

day 3! I had gained 80 lbs with my DD (dear daughter)

>

> I lost the 30 lbs fairly quickly and am now in the process of

losing the last 50. I still have a little belly hang, but a lot has

gone away in the last 4 weeks!

>

> What about the breastfeeding moms? Did your mammaries spring back

to it's original perkiness before baby? Or do they seem more like

they got smaller or even worse....deflated!!! )

>

> Deflated or not I am glad I did it, but now I " want my body

back!!!!!!! "

>

> Paige

[Guest guest]

I got stretch marks and used a good lotion. I think if you are prone to them,

then you can maybe curb them, but they are probably gonna happen. I was

pregnant at the same time as my best friend, and while I did gain 60 lbs (oops)

I did use lots of lotion, and still lots of stretch marks. But she gained 75

lbs. and not on stretch mark. The fade fairly well. I wouldn't wear a

bikinin, but they aren't awful.

Re: SCARED TO DEATH

I guess I don't have very good skin. I have stretch marks from

gaining a relatively small amount of weight. I can't imagine

stretching it to a size of a baby!

BUT...one reason I'm doing BFL is to change my life so that when

it's time...I'll be in tip-top shape and be able to " spring " back

easier. If I can lose 30lbs...I'll already have those existing

stretch marks to use again anyway! But like I said in my first

post...I don't even have a boyfriend...so I guess I have plenty of

time to " think " and " de-scare " myself. haha And if need be...thank

goodness for tummy tucks and boob lifts!

> In a message dated 6/29/2004 2:27:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> writes:

> You all are making me SCARED TO DEATH to have kids and ruin my

> body.

>

> Don't worry. While everyone is different... I personally don't

see much of a

> difference in my body due to pregnancy. I didn't exercise before

or after

> pregnancy. I gained about 35 pounds during the pregnancy. I had

two very large

> babies. My tummy was big. I guess I just have good skin because

I don't

> have any stretch marks. If anything, my breasts have drooped

lower. Could be

> from breast feeding or maybe it's just age and gravity... I don't

know. I also

> had two c-section bikini cuts. The scar is hardly noticible and

not raised.

> It would never show if I wore a bikini unless it was an extremely

low cut one

> which would look ridicuously too small.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would say I'm a bit deflated. And I wouldn't say there's any spring. But I

did nurse for a total of 4 yrs. And while pregnant did get up to a 40 J. (Who

knew they made bras that size) I seem to have settled into a 38 DD for now,

would love to see a D or even better my prepregnancy C. That is the one thing I

would have done, once I get into my goal shape, I would love to have them put

back up where they belong.

Re: SCARED TO DEATH

I guess I don't have very good skin. I have stretch marks from

gaining a relatively small amount of weight. I can't imagine

stretching it to a size of a baby!

BUT...one reason I'm doing BFL is to change my life so that when

it's time...I'll be in tip-top shape and be able to " spring " back

easier. If I can lose 30lbs...I'll already have those existing

stretch marks to use again anyway! But like I said in my first

post...I don't even have a boyfriend...so I guess I have plenty of

time to " think " and " de-scare " myself. haha And if need be...thank

goodness for tummy tucks and boob lifts!

> In a message dated 6/29/2004 2:27:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> writes:

> You all are making me SCARED TO DEATH to have kids and ruin my

> body.

>

> Don't worry. While everyone is different... I personally don't

see much of a

> difference in my body due to pregnancy. I didn't exercise before

or after

> pregnancy. I gained about 35 pounds during the pregnancy. I had

two very large

> babies. My tummy was big. I guess I just have good skin because

I don't

> have any stretch marks. If anything, my breasts have drooped

lower. Could be

> from breast feeding or maybe it's just age and gravity... I don't

know. I also

> had two c-section bikini cuts. The scar is hardly noticible and

not raised.

> It would never show if I wore a bikini unless it was an extremely

low cut one

> which would look ridicuously too small.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I agree. Whether or not you are going to get stretch marks depends on too many

factors. Simply using lotion alone won't prevent them. Using a lotion will

make the skin feel better though so I would still use some. Some people's skin

stretches better than others. We all have different amounts of elasticity in

our skin. The more you have, the less problems you have with stretch marks. I

think heredity plays a big part in this. My mother, who was tiny when she had

babies and didn't gain lots of weight got horrible stretch marks. Our skin has

hardly no elasticity. We also get bad veins, even without extra body weight.

Just a fact that I have to deal with. Also, how fast your stomach gets big

makes a difference. Some that would normally never get a stretch mark will if

the stomach stretches too fast. I suspect having a multiple birth might cause

your stomach to grow at a faster than normal rate. That said, I am sure that

starting out with some extra weight could make a difference. Someone that would

not get stretch marks if they started their pregnancy at a normal weight might

get them if they are overweight when they get pregnant. There are many factors

in play that are out of anyone's control. Still, having a child is worth every

mark or sagging body part that I have today. And I say that after almost 20

years after giving birth

_________________

" Whatever women must do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half

as good. Luckily, this is not difficult. " -Charlotte Whitton-

Re: SCARED TO DEATH

I guess I don't have very good skin. I have stretch marks from

gaining a relatively small amount of weight. I can't imagine

stretching it to a size of a baby!

BUT...one reason I'm doing BFL is to change my life so that when

it's time...I'll be in tip-top shape and be able to " spring " back

easier. If I can lose 30lbs...I'll already have those existing

stretch marks to use again anyway! But like I said in my first

post...I don't even have a boyfriend...so I guess I have plenty of

time to " think " and " de-scare " myself. haha And if need be...thank

goodness for tummy tucks and boob lifts!

> In a message dated 6/29/2004 2:27:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> writes:

> You all are making me SCARED TO DEATH to have kids and ruin my

> body.

>

> Don't worry. While everyone is different... I personally don't

see much of a

> difference in my body due to pregnancy. I didn't exercise before

or after

> pregnancy. I gained about 35 pounds during the pregnancy. I had

two very large

> babies. My tummy was big. I guess I just have good skin because

I don't

> have any stretch marks. If anything, my breasts have drooped

lower. Could be

> from breast feeding or maybe it's just age and gravity... I don't

know. I also

> had two c-section bikini cuts. The scar is hardly noticible and

not raised.

> It would never show if I wore a bikini unless it was an extremely

low cut one

> which would look ridicuously too small.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> I have been lurking for a bit here. I am on Challenge 1 Week 5 and

day 3! I had gained 80 lbs with my DD (dear daughter)

>

> I lost the 30 lbs fairly quickly and am now in the process of

losing the last 50. I still have a little belly hang, but a lot has

gone away in the last 4 weeks!

>

> What about the breastfeeding moms? Did your mammaries spring back

to it's original perkiness before baby? Or do they seem more like

they got smaller or even worse....deflated!!! )

>

> Deflated or not I am glad I did it, but now I " want my body

back!!!!!!! "

>

> Paige

Well I unfortunately can report that having started with B-cup

breasts that swelled to nearly D's while breastfeeding each of my 2

sons, my breasts have now deflated down to practically A's.... :-/

but I wouldn't trade those precious moments with my babies for

anything.... I think everyone's body is different with how it

rebounds from pregnancy; I know I got back to pre-pregnancy weight

and shape easier after my first child (I was 33) than my second (I

was 38) so I think age may have something to do with that too. My

biggest problem was, after eating pretty much whatever I wanted

throughout my pregnancy (I gained 30 lbs and lost it after about 8

weeks post-partum) and then eating whatever I wanted for the next 8

months while nursing, it was hard to go back to watching what I ate

after my little guy was weaned, and I ended up gaining almost as much

weight as I had during the pregnancy, after I stopped nursing.

YIKES!! But I'm back on track now doing BFL and I've lost 15lbs by

the scale and dropped a pants size so I'm really psyched!! (and my

little guy is now 2yrs old -- can't use him as an excuse for being

fat and out of shape anymore hahahaha)

Marilyn

[Guest guest]

wrote~

" Also, how fast your stomach gets big makes a difference. Some that

would normally never get a stretch mark will if the stomach stretches

too fast. I suspect having a multiple birth might cause your stomach

to grow at a faster than normal rate. "

This is true; I had 3 pregnancies and not one stretch mark on my

stomach or any place else and always bounced back to pre pregnancy

size and weight within 6 months of giving birth. But then my 4th

pregnancy was a multiple pregnancy (I had twins) and I exploded with

stretch marks from my belly button down and on my butt and although I

did get back to my pre pregnancy weight I do have problems with extra

skin in my lower abs and this is the first place that I will notice

fat when I add a few pounds. I believe that it is a combination of

multiple things that will determine your status after pregnancy~

1)genetics

2)eating healthy food during pregnancy

3)drinking plenty of water before during and after pregnancy

4)applying good quality lotion before during and after pregnancy

5)getting all of your vitamins (as in prenatal vitamins)

6)and how quickly you are putting on the weight during the pregnancy

Joann

(Mrs. Bishwit)

[Guest guest]

I don't know a LOT about it... but I do know that midwives will give you

certain creams to rub on your skin to help prevent/minimize stretch marks.

(Doctors generally don't do this) I believe it's just cocoa butter or some

such... and I know that midwives massage the perineal area with warm olive

oil during childbirth to help prevent tearing and lessen the likelihood of

the need for an episiotomy. Of course, that was probably greek to you if

you've never had a baby... but perhaps when the day comes that you do,

you'll remember, LOL

~Lyd

Re: SCARED TO DEATH

I guess I don't have very good skin. I have stretch marks from

gaining a relatively small amount of weight. I can't imagine

stretching it to a size of a baby!

BUT...one reason I'm doing BFL is to change my life so that when

it's time...I'll be in tip-top shape and be able to " spring " back

easier. If I can lose 30lbs...I'll already have those existing

stretch marks to use again anyway! But like I said in my first

post...I don't even have a boyfriend...so I guess I have plenty of

time to " think " and " de-scare " myself. haha And if need be...thank

goodness for tummy tucks and boob lifts!

> In a message dated 6/29/2004 2:27:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> writes:

> You all are making me SCARED TO DEATH to have kids and ruin my

> body.

>

> Don't worry. While everyone is different... I personally don't

see much of a

> difference in my body due to pregnancy. I didn't exercise before

or after

> pregnancy. I gained about 35 pounds during the pregnancy. I had

two very large

> babies. My tummy was big. I guess I just have good skin because

I don't

> have any stretch marks. If anything, my breasts have drooped

lower. Could be

> from breast feeding or maybe it's just age and gravity... I don't

know. I also

> had two c-section bikini cuts. The scar is hardly noticible and

not raised.

> It would never show if I wore a bikini unless it was an extremely

low cut one

> which would look ridicuously too small.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My boobs are never quite as nice as they were before my first child...

except when I'm preggers or nursing another one. I've had six... and have

very few stretch marks, like one or two here and there, mostly near my hips.

But... I have small breasts... so my experience is probably going to differ

drastically from that of someone who's better-endowed than I am!

~Lydia

Re: Re: SCARED TO DEATH

I have been lurking for a bit here. I am on Challenge 1 Week 5 and day 3!

I had gained 80 lbs with my DD (dear daughter)

I lost the 30 lbs fairly quickly and am now in the process of losing the

last 50. I still have a little belly hang, but a lot has gone away in the

last 4 weeks!

What about the breastfeeding moms? Did your mammaries spring back to it's

original perkiness before baby? Or do they seem more like they got smaller

or even worse....deflated!!! )

Deflated or not I am glad I did it, but now I " want my body back!!!!!!! "

Paige

Re: SCARED TO DEATH

I guess I don't have very good skin. I have stretch marks from

gaining a relatively small amount of weight. I can't imagine

stretching it to a size of a baby!

BUT...one reason I'm doing BFL is to change my life so that when

it's time...I'll be in tip-top shape and be able to " spring " back

easier. If I can lose 30lbs...I'll already have those existing

stretch marks to use again anyway! But like I said in my first

post...I don't even have a boyfriend...so I guess I have plenty of

time to " think " and " de-scare " myself. haha And if need be...thank

goodness for tummy tucks and boob lifts!

> In a message dated 6/29/2004 2:27:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> writes:

> You all are making me SCARED TO DEATH to have kids and ruin my

> body.

>

> Don't worry. While everyone is different... I personally don't

see much of a

> difference in my body due to pregnancy. I didn't exercise before

or after

> pregnancy. I gained about 35 pounds during the pregnancy. I had

two very large

> babies. My tummy was big. I guess I just have good skin because

I don't

> have any stretch marks. If anything, my breasts have drooped

lower. Could be

> from breast feeding or maybe it's just age and gravity... I don't

know. I also

> had two c-section bikini cuts. The scar is hardly noticible and

not raised.

> It would never show if I wore a bikini unless it was an extremely

low cut one

> which would look ridicuously too small.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

oh i know that word/procedure...once again...scared to death!!! i

think i'd actually pick a c-section over that personally. just not

looking forward to stretch marks, sagging skin, scars, tears, huge

boobs then deflated boobs, pain, etc etc. motherhood certainly is a

selfless act...i can barely take care of myself and my cats. i

can't believe there are single mothers out there! they deserve

medals! i will just pray for a great husband that will love me and

my deflated, stretched, out-of-wack self.

> > In a message dated 6/29/2004 2:27:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> > writes:

> > You all are making me SCARED TO DEATH to have kids and ruin my

> > body.

> >

> > Don't worry. While everyone is different... I personally don't

> see much of a

> > difference in my body due to pregnancy. I didn't exercise

before

> or after

> > pregnancy. I gained about 35 pounds during the pregnancy. I

had

> two very large

> > babies. My tummy was big. I guess I just have good skin

because

> I don't

> > have any stretch marks. If anything, my breasts have drooped

> lower. Could be

> > from breast feeding or maybe it's just age and gravity... I

don't

> know. I also

> > had two c-section bikini cuts. The scar is hardly noticible and

> not raised.

> > It would never show if I wore a bikini unless it was an

extremely

> low cut one

> > which would look ridicuously too small.

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Well... I would NEVER prefer a C-section over vaginal... the recovery is

MUCH longer and more difficult, and since it's major surgery it's not

without risk of complication (not that there is NO risk to pregnancy in

general...) but honestly... many people choose not to have children, and

some adopt. I don't think anyone would think any less of you if you decided

you'd rather not put yourself through the ordeal. On the other hand, there

is nothing like it in the whole world. When you're preggers, people smile at

you, open doors for you, and the feeling of that little person being inside

of you is just indescribable. Obviously I enjoyed it, or I wouldn't have had

so many babies... but I don't know if my old body could handle another one.

(I'm 39... I think 6 is enough pregnancies for me, LOL)

Re: SCARED TO DEATH

oh i know that word/procedure...once again...scared to death!!! i

think i'd actually pick a c-section over that personally. just not

looking forward to stretch marks, sagging skin, scars, tears, huge

boobs then deflated boobs, pain, etc etc. motherhood certainly is a

selfless act...i can barely take care of myself and my cats. i

can't believe there are single mothers out there! they deserve

medals! i will just pray for a great husband that will love me and

my deflated, stretched, out-of-wack self.

> > In a message dated 6/29/2004 2:27:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> > writes:

> > You all are making me SCARED TO DEATH to have kids and ruin my

> > body.

> >

> > Don't worry. While everyone is different... I personally don't

> see much of a

> > difference in my body due to pregnancy. I didn't exercise

before

> or after

> > pregnancy. I gained about 35 pounds during the pregnancy. I

had

> two very large

> > babies. My tummy was big. I guess I just have good skin

because

> I don't

> > have any stretch marks. If anything, my breasts have drooped

> lower. Could be

> > from breast feeding or maybe it's just age and gravity... I

don't

> know. I also

> > had two c-section bikini cuts. The scar is hardly noticible and

> not raised.

> > It would never show if I wore a bikini unless it was an

extremely

> low cut one

> > which would look ridicuously too small.

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

> Well... I would NEVER prefer a C-section over vaginal... the

recovery is

> MUCH longer and more difficult, and since it's major surgery it's

not

> without risk of complication (not that there is NO risk to

pregnancy in

> general...) but honestly... many people choose not to have

children, and

> some adopt. I don't think anyone would think any less of you if you

decided

> you'd rather not put yourself through the ordeal. On the other

hand, there

> is nothing like it in the whole world. When you're preggers, people

smile at

> you, open doors for you, and the feeling of that little person

being inside

> of you is just indescribable. Obviously I enjoyed it, or I wouldn't

have had

> so many babies... but I don't know if my old body could handle

another one.

> (I'm 39... I think 6 is enough pregnancies for me, LOL)

>

> Re: SCARED TO DEATH

>

> oh i know that word/procedure...once again...scared to death!!! i

> think i'd actually pick a c-section over that personally. just not

> looking forward to stretch marks, sagging skin, scars, tears, huge

> boobs then deflated boobs, pain, etc etc. motherhood certainly is

a

> selfless act...i can barely take care of myself and my cats. i

> can't believe there are single mothers out there! they deserve

> medals! i will just pray for a great husband that will love me and

> my deflated, stretched, out-of-wack self.

>

>

Well...I would like to add my personal two cents here.... I have had

three children (who are now grown and have kids of their own..ha ha)

I taught Lamaze for seven years when my eldest was four yrs old. I

read alot of books and when I was pregnant I chose to listen to

Adelle (nutritioist at the time)book..Let's Have Healthy

Children. She swore the benefits of vitamin E...this was back in the

seventies...she talked about how important it was to prevent stretch

marks. The secret wasn't just rubbing the cream on but also taking it

in capsule form...also vitamin C (this was over and above the pre

natal vitamin). Well...I do not have any stretch marks...not one..not

on my tummy and not on my boobs. I breast fed all three children

until they weened themselves, my normally small breast (A) grew to a

whopping C and plenty of milk, no supplements to my children til they

were 6 months old. After nursing they went right back down, never

wore a bra (you can tell this was sort of hippie left over days..ha

ha) NOW I am a size C due to investing...if you know what I mean.

Having a baby is like planning for a marathon..it takes getting your

body in shape BEFORE you go into labor...doing squats and such to

stretch out the perineum. I would assign each of my women to daily

exercise BESIDES the breathing and such. When you do get to labor it

is a job, it is emotional and very phsical, but when you are thru it,

you have a HUGE sense of accomplishment just as if you completed your

first marathon. It is hugely worth every second (but I realize it is

not for everyone). Once you have a baby you will notice that almost

whenever you get a couple of women who have delivered (at any time in

their life)together they will tend to go over the experiece with each

other.esp. if someone has just had her baby and then everyone will

share. It is a truly life changing event.

Back to body changes...it is important that you are following a very

healthful diet, taking supplements, staying in shape, eating proper

amts for your codition but not using it as a liscense to eat all that

you want and going over board just cos you're gonna be " fat anyway " ..

and you do not HAVE to end up with a belly full of stretch marks.

Now, ofcourse there are exceptions to everything and some women are

just prone to those marks, thankfully they do fade out with time.

Pat

[Guest guest]

Phoenix,

I hope things are looking better this morning! I do remember you - I

think I remember when you got preganant, but you probably don't

remember me, 'cause I usually lurk.

Having small kids can be a killer (mine are 11 and 13 now) - it wreaks

havoc with your life in ways that you could never imagine before

having kids. It does get better though. When you are sleep deprived,

it is hard to function on a day to day basis.

The thing is, as soon as YOU are in control of the eating aspect of

it, then the rest will seem better. Once you've made the decision, it

becomes easy, simple, and you wonder why you couldn't do it before.

Planning is key - especially when you have a little one and you are

sleep deprived. Plan your meals and your workouts the night before or

they won't happen.

Hang in there:) What are your plans for eating today?

hugs,

Laurie

On Mon, 28 Mar 2005 10:48:12 -0000, theotherphoenix

<zyth2002@...> wrote:

>

>

> This is probably going to be long...

>

> Hi everyone. Some of you might remember me. It's been a while. I am

> going to start eating right and exercising in the morning. I feel

> sick with dread, actually, which hardly seems a good place to start,

> but I can't seem to find another one. My eating is getting more and

> more out of control and every time I try to get it under control the

> relapse is worse. I'm going to end up dead of heart disease or

> diabetes if I can't stop sugar binging. Many nights I can't get to

> sleep because my heart is pounding from the sugar overdose. Every

> other time I've " started " a challenge, or whatever, I've been (or

> tried to be) fired up and ready to go. This time I'm not. I don't

> even really want to do it because I'm so scared that I can't. Why

> should I believe I can do this when I've bombed out after a couple of

> weeks every time for the last 2 years?

>

> How do I come to want to be healthy more than I want to stuff my face

> with every sweet or fatty thing that comes along? Even when I do

> find that mental orientation that says " Getting healthy and being

> slim, fit and attractive is more important than a cookie " it only

> lasts for 2 weeks and then I don't care anymore. If the cravings

> don't EVER go away, then how do any of you do it? Do I have to be

> like an alchoholic who can NEVER have a drink? Maybe that's the only

> way for me. Never ever ever have anything sugary ever again. Sounds

> miserable to me, but maybe it wouldn't be. Maybe if I never had it,

> I'd learn not to miss it. I don't know.

>

> God, I sound pathetic don't I? Whiny, self-absorbed loser. LOL.

> Maybe sleeping on a regular basis would be a start, but

> unfortunately, my 9 month old boy doesn't know the meaning of the

> phrase " sleeping through the night " .

>

> I wish I could have a thought transplant. You'd think it would be

> easy to change your thoughts. They aren't a physical thing, it should

> be the easiest thing in the world. But it doesn't seem to be. All

> the programs say that your mind is the key. Unfortunately, all the

> Bill es and Dr. Phils in the world don't seem to be able to

> change my brain. I wonder what I'm doing wrong. Stupid mind.

>

> I'm sorry, I'm probably gonna bring everyone down with this, and I

> should just cancel it and go to bed, but I just feel like screaming,

> or crying, or beating my head into a wall until all these cravings

> and thoughts and stupid stupid stupid bad habits go away and now I am

> crying and I'm sorry, but I just want to be healthy and I don't know

> why I can't ever manage it.

>

> Please help me

>

> Phoenix

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I did a search on line about the craving for sugar. Probably before

you set youself up for failure (you are definitely NOT set up for

success from your post) it seems to me like you need to tackle the

craving issue. Here is the web search I found with some good reads

for help:

http://search./search?

p=medical+ways+to+stop+sugar+cravings & fr=FP-tab-web-t-

200 & toggle=1 & ei=UTF-8

You sound like you are definitely crying out for help but are you

talking to the right people? Have you seen a doctor or more

specifically perhaps a nutritionist or searched yourself for specific

things you can do to help stop the cravings?

Here is something Key I noticed that you will read below. You said

you can't get past two weeks.... with relation to the salt

craving/chocolate craving question below, the doctor says by the

third week you should be much better! That is a little uplifting if

you ask me!

I am a sugar nut too..... so believe me I do have some sense of

understanding. I start my program today and this will be my biggest

problem.

Now while anyone else here might not recommend this I will give you a

suggestion that worked for me one weekend. I was on a 28 week

program with LA weightloss.... and there are NO free days in that

program. One weekend after I reached my goal, I bought a whole dozen

of Krispy Kreme cream filled doughnuts and spent the entire weekend

eating ONLY those and watching sappy girly movies. But I tell you

that was two years ago and I still remember being such a happy camper

that weekend. I took a mulitvitamin and two of those kind of

doughnuts actually fill you up like a meal. FYI the scale stayed

exactly the same by the end of the weekend. I literally didn't eat

anything else but those doughnuts....LOL So for one day four of

those delicious creamy filling things did the trick.

http://www.fastfood.com/Nutrition/krispy_kreme_doughnuts.html

So my suggestion is once you are mentally ready to take the challenge

don't talk yourself out of it because of your sugar issue, just

regulate your sugar issue! What I see here that impressed me what

these ladies have MORE GOOD DAYS than BAD days But they DO HAVE the

bad days.... this allowed me to see I CAN be successful, like they

say just don't give up!!

One lady here confessed to eating a whole bag of easter candy....

that inspired me.....LOL it let me know that succesfull people have

the same human tendancies!

I would say do the best you can the six days and just know on the

seventh day if you want it to be all sugar, well do it IF you think

this is the ONLY thing that will keep you going. Overdoing the free

day is of course not recommended but plan your favorite sweets on

that day and enjoy the heck out of them! Hopefully that day will last

you another six days and pretty soon three weeks will be behind you

and so on.....

Something else I am having to do myself is " don't dread 12 weeks "

focus on each day.... each meal is a WIN situation - and I was so

happy to see the ladies here pointing that out. That is the mental

key!

I would also suggestion rereading portions of the book hitting the

decipline area, photo copy them, make them easily accessible, hang

them up etc to keep your mind on track. ( hint making a personal note

to myself here)

I hope this helps some..... Take care,

Here are some questions and answers from one of the pages listed:

Falls Church, Va.: How do you recommend that one conquer an addiction

to sugar?

Dr. Neal Barnard: The key is to take a short break. If you haven't

had chocolate for 3 weeks, you miss it less than if you had it

yesterday. It often helps to start with some substitutes. For

example, maple syrup is as caloric as sugar, but it's much more

flavorful, so you'll use less. Fruit is less sweet, but you'll find

varieties that are enjoyable. And when you're ready to take a break,

do it for 3 weeks. If the cravings are premenstrual, we have a

special approach for that. It involves using a low-fat, high-fiber,

vegan diet to moderate estrogen levels. If you do it for the full 4

weeks or your cycle, you'll find it can reduce cramps, PMS, and, for

some people, cravings.

________________________________________________

burg, Pa.: What do you know about this new drug Pfizer is

working on that reduces food cravings? The bushmen have been using it

for generations, so it appears to work. Is it being tested now? Have

you heard what the tests indicate as to how well; it works and

whether there are side effects?

Dr. Neal Barnard: Sorry, I don't have any useful information on it.

________________________________________________

Tyson's Corner, Va.: Doctor, is there a physiological reason for

sugar cravings/addiction (i.e., is it due to a lack of a certain

brain chemical(s), is it caused by the way our brains are " wired " )?

Is there a genetic predisposition to sugar addiction just as there is

to alcoholism?

Dr. Neal Barnard: Yes, evidence suggests that there is indeed a

physiological reason for it. Here is the short version of what you'll

read in Breaking the Food Seduction.

Certain foods appear to stimulate the release of opiate chemicals

within the brain. These are chemical cousins of morphine and heroin.

The are not as strong as illegal drugs, but appear to be strong

enough to keep us coming back, especially when we are stressed, tire,

angry, or alone.

Not every food does this. The groups that do are sugar (and sugar-fat

mixtures, such as butter cookies, as well as foods that produce sugar

rapidly), chocolate, cheese, and meat. Let me share some of the

evidence for this. In emergency rooms, doctors use the drug naloxone

to block opiate receptors. So when a person has overdosed on heroin,

naloxone can save their life. If we give it to a seriously addicted

chocoholic--a person who really binges on it--chocolate is much less

attractive. This suggests that chocolate's attraction is not just its

taste, but rather its effect on the brain. The same has been found

for sugary foods, cheese, and meat.

And cheese has a special property. Its protein, casein, breaks apart

in your digestive tract to produce casomorphins--mild opiates.

Researchers are now teasing apart the actions of these chemicals. But

suffice it to say, some people are really hooked on cheese, despite

its enormous load of cholesterol and fat.

Washington, D.C.: Is addiction to chocolate related to any vitamin

deficiency?

Dr. Neal Barnard: No. Nor is it related to magnesium deficiency, an

oral personality, a bad childhood, or " being a woman. " It is an

opiate effect, triggered, so far as we can tell, by the taste of

chocolate on the tongue, and augmented by chocolate's other mild drug

effects: caffeine, Theo bromine, and phenyl ethylamine, among others.

Chocolate isn't a drug--it might be thought of as the whole drugstore

in a brown wrapper

Keep reading the salt is same as sugar cravings .....

Salt! I crave salt! I put it on everything, I mean everything. I

choose meals based on whether I can put salt on it. I even pour it in

my hands and eat it by itself. I've never known anyone to do this. Is

it physical? It seems to be more than the taste, I just.....WANT it

so much!

Dr. Neal Barnard: Okay, let me offer a very useful tip:

Your taste buds have what I think of as " taste thermostats " . You've

experienced this if you switched from whole milk to skim. At first,

skim tastes awful. But soon, it seems fine, and then you can no

longer drink whole milk--it seems much too thick. It is as if your

taste buds reset their preferences for fat based on the foods they've

been exposed to for the previous six to seven days.

The same is true for salt and for sugar. If you go low salt, your

foods will be unpalatable the first week; they'll be better the

second week, and perfectly fine the third week.

This is why I use a 3-week time frame, and why we use a complete-

exclusion plan for problem foods during that time.

>

> This is probably going to be long...

>

> Hi everyone. Some of you might remember me. It's been a while. I

am

> going to start eating right and exercising in the morning. I feel

> sick with dread, actually, which hardly seems a good place to

start,

> but I can't seem to find another one. My eating is getting more

and

> more out of control and every time I try to get it under control

the

> relapse is worse. I'm going to end up dead of heart disease or

> diabetes if I can't stop sugar binging. Many nights I can't get to

> sleep because my heart is pounding from the sugar overdose. Every

> other time I've " started " a challenge, or whatever, I've been (or

> tried to be) fired up and ready to go. This time I'm not. I don't

> even really want to do it because I'm so scared that I can't. Why

> should I believe I can do this when I've bombed out after a couple

of

> weeks every time for the last 2 years?

>

> How do I come to want to be healthy more than I want to stuff my

face

> with every sweet or fatty thing that comes along? Even when I do

> find that mental orientation that says " Getting healthy and being

> slim, fit and attractive is more important than a cookie " it only

> lasts for 2 weeks and then I don't care anymore. If the cravings

> don't EVER go away, then how do any of you do it? Do I have to be

> like an alchoholic who can NEVER have a drink? Maybe that's the

only

> way for me. Never ever ever have anything sugary ever again.

Sounds

> miserable to me, but maybe it wouldn't be. Maybe if I never had it,

> I'd learn not to miss it. I don't know.

>

> God, I sound pathetic don't I? Whiny, self-absorbed loser. LOL.

> Maybe sleeping on a regular basis would be a start, but

> unfortunately, my 9 month old boy doesn't know the meaning of the

> phrase " sleeping through the night " .

>

> I wish I could have a thought transplant. You'd think it would be

> easy to change your thoughts. They aren't a physical thing, it

should

> be the easiest thing in the world. But it doesn't seem to be. All

> the programs say that your mind is the key. Unfortunately, all the

> Bill es and Dr. Phils in the world don't seem to be able to

> change my brain. I wonder what I'm doing wrong. Stupid mind.

>

> I'm sorry, I'm probably gonna bring everyone down with this, and I

> should just cancel it and go to bed, but I just feel like

screaming,

> or crying, or beating my head into a wall until all these cravings

> and thoughts and stupid stupid stupid bad habits go away and now I

am

> crying and I'm sorry, but I just want to be healthy and I don't

know

> why I can't ever manage it.

>

> Please help me

>

> Phoenix