Newbie here!

[Guest guest]

Rhonda,

Hi and welcome. Glad to hear you were diagnosed and are taking PTU, which

should help you. What dose are you on?

Also, best to take PTU in 3 divided doses, rather than 2, given PTU's short

half-life. Others have found that keeping blood levels more even has helped

them to heal faster and more completely. Pill cutters are very handy.

At 11:36 AM 3/23/2004, you wrote:

>..so he put me on some anti-thyroid medicine (PTU..I think that's the

>name). I take 2 pills a day.

>

>After reading symptoms of hyperthyroidism...I realized I had alot of

>them...not the weightloss...but most of the others.

[Guest guest]

Debbie, the nice thing about coconut milk is that you can run to the local

walmart and buy a can.Its a good start. There are lots of ways to get coconut

oil.Although cocoonut flour is good for you because of fiber content. It doesnt

have the coconut oil in it to give you the anti yeast propety you are looking

for.

IN NC

debbie <debbiebbw47@...> wrote:

Hi - I'm just starting to investigate CO and would like some suggestions as to

which

product to start with - I notice there are oils, milk, cream, flour, fiber - I'm

leaning

towards the milk or cream in order to start small and in foods (like smoothies)

that it

might not be too obtrusive if I don't like it.

I'm a DS patient (WLS) and need to keep that in mind, although I know other

DSer's

use the CO with great success, which is why I'm trying it!

Also, any advice as to the best brands, I realize everyone has their favorites

but

perhaps you could tell me what to stay away from, too! I noticed for example

that

GNC has a certain type, as well as softgels, but read somewhere to stay away

from

those.

Thanks in advance!

Debbie

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Where in Walmart did you find coconut milk? I looked at my local walmart this

week and could not locate it.

Thanks, in TN

Re: Newbie here!

Debbie, the nice thing about coconut milk is that you can run to the local

walmart and buy a can.Its a good start. There are lots of ways to get coconut

oil.Although cocoonut flour is good for you because of fiber content. It doesnt

have the coconut oil in it to give you the anti yeast propety you are looking

for.

IN NC

debbie <debbiebbw47@...> wrote:

Hi - I'm just starting to investigate CO and would like some suggestions as to

which

product to start with - I notice there are oils, milk, cream, flour, fiber -

I'm leaning

towards the milk or cream in order to start small and in foods (like

smoothies) that it

might not be too obtrusive if I don't like it.

I'm a DS patient (WLS) and need to keep that in mind, although I know other

DSer's

use the CO with great success, which is why I'm trying it!

Also, any advice as to the best brands, I realize everyone has their favorites

but

perhaps you could tell me what to stay away from, too! I noticed for example

that

GNC has a certain type, as well as softgels, but read somewhere to stay away

from

those.

Thanks in advance!

Debbie

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie, I get it in the hispanic food section.It has to be a super walmart

that sells food.My store has 3 diffrent brands ,Thai, and Goya and another brand

I cant remember. I usually buy the Goya.Inn my local Food Lion it is with the

canned milks.You can also find it in a oriental or hispanic foods store.

A word of warning. Coconut milk can go bad unopened in the can.If the coconut

milk is old it solidifies in the can.It doesnt taste bad and can still be used

but its a solid chunck ,Shake the can. if it doesnt sound liquid it is probably

not good. You probably wont have to worry about this now since more people are

using coconut milk. the turnover for the cans is prettty good now. I had this

problem with some cans from the local walmart when I first started to use

coconut milk 2 years ago.

LAURA in NC

sarah <sarah.elizabeth@...> wrote:

Hi ,

Where in Walmart did you find coconut milk? I looked at my local walmart this

week and could not locate it.

Thanks, in TN

Re: Newbie here!

Debbie, the nice thing about coconut milk is that you can run to the local

walmart and buy a can.Its a good start. There are lots of ways to get coconut

oil.Although cocoonut flour is good for you because of fiber content. It doesnt

have the coconut oil in it to give you the anti yeast propety you are looking

for.

IN NC

debbie <debbiebbw47@...> wrote:

Hi - I'm just starting to investigate CO and would like some suggestions as to

which

product to start with - I notice there are oils, milk, cream, flour, fiber -

I'm leaning

towards the milk or cream in order to start small and in foods (like

smoothies) that it

might not be too obtrusive if I don't like it.

I'm a DS patient (WLS) and need to keep that in mind, although I know other

DSer's

use the CO with great success, which is why I'm trying it!

Also, any advice as to the best brands, I realize everyone has their favorites

but

perhaps you could tell me what to stay away from, too! I noticed for example

that

GNC has a certain type, as well as softgels, but read somewhere to stay away

from

those.

Thanks in advance!

Debbie

[Guest guest]

I found it in a " Smart & Final " restaurant supply type store. They

have a Thai food section. It comes in soup size cans for $.63 and

huge cans for about $22.00

Dianne

>

> Debbie, the nice thing about coconut milk is that you can run to the local

> walmart and buy a can.Its a good start. There are lots of ways to get coconut

> oil.Although cocoonut flour is good for you because of fiber content. It

doesnt

> have the coconut oil in it to give you the anti yeast propety you are looking

> for.

> IN NC

>

> debbie <debbiebbw47@...> wrote:

>

[Guest guest]

Hi! My name is Sally and I live in Texas. My son, Jayden, who is 5 yrs old just got diagnosed with a cholesteatoma. He has had a few ear infections as a child but nothing serious. He never complained that his ear hurt or that he felt dizzy. He has a slight problem with his speech but that is it. The last Saturday in October he wasn't feeling well and I called his dr. but they couldnt fit him in that day so I took him to a walk in care clinic. The nurse practitionar (SP)came in to look at him and after she finished looking she told us that something didn't look right in his left ear. She said at are follow-up for the strep throat make sure the dr really looks in the left ear. So when we took him in 2wks after that I told the dr what she had said and he looked in the ear and told us that there was something in it. So he had the nurse come in a flushed the ear out. Nothing came out. So he said he was going to send us to a ENT. We waited about a week to get in with the ENT. When he first looked in his ear he told me it was a cholesteatoma and that he would need surgery. Well, after he said surgery my mind went blank!!! I didn't ask questions about the surgery or anything. So, when we go on the 6th for his hearing and preop I want a list of questions to ask him. Which questions should I ask? Then the surgery is on the 12th of December. I am hoping all goes well. He doesn't have to have a CT. I guess my question is how long does it usually take for the surgery and the recovery. How do they do the surgery do they cut him behind the ear or go in through the ear? I'm sorry this is long! Any info would help a bunch!!!Thanks, SallyHi Sally

It's possible to go in through the ear canal but only where the doctor is certain that the diease is small, fairly well contained and easiy to get at. If it has already spread and interfered with the middle ear structures then it's unlikely. Most surgeries including those on young children do involve an incision behind the ear. By far the most common and least invasive one is known as a simple mastoidectomy or canal wall up surgery. This is the kind that a doctor would most likely opt for especially for children. This surgery is often followed up 6 months to a year later by a second look operation (which may well go through the ear canal). The point of this procedure is to check that the ctoma has not returned and to reconstruct any damage to the hearing mechanism. that may have occured. Some destruction of the small middle ear bones that conduct sound is quite common with ctoma.The surgery itself will last for a few hours because it's a small scale and painstaking prodcedure. Children are pretty good with recovery and seem bounce back very quickly though they may need to stay out for a week or two at the most. following surgery there will often be bleeding and discharge from the ear and perhaps a short period of dizziness and maybe some loss of of the sense of taste. This is all a normal part of the recovery. A couple of other things to note is that flying should be avoided in the weeks following surgery and would be necessary to make sure water is kept out of the ear while things are healing. There will be some kind of packing placed in the ear which would either dissovle itself or be removed after a couple of weeks.

The questions I might ask would be - how far as the disease progressed? (the doctor may not know for sure). What kind of surgery is planned? Will hearing reconstruction be necessary? What are the precautions are needed following the surgery? (like the two I've mentioned but surgeons do have a habit of forgetting to tell you about these things). What is the longtem follow-up with this disease - this disease is curable but it can recur so it's usual to be monitered from time to time afterwards.I'm sure others can chip with questions more specific to children. Meanwhile I hope everything goes well and try not to be too freaked out. The surgery will probably be worse on your nerves than it will be for your son.

Phil

[Guest guest]

Well I have had 15 surgeries and a couple of them they went in

through my ear canal, as for the rest of them I was cut behind my

ear.. Its not as bad of a scar as I thought it was going to be. They

wanted to drill to make my ear canal bigger but I refused. Some

people recover fast and some recover slowly it all depends on the

person. I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery..

>

> Hi! My name is Sally and I live in Texas. My son, Jayden, who is

5

> yrs old just got diagnosed with a cholesteatoma. He has had a few

> ear infections as a child but nothing serious. He never complained

> that his ear hurt or that he felt dizzy. He has a slight problem

> with his speech but that is it. The last Saturday in October he

> wasn't feeling well and I called his dr. but they couldnt fit him

in

> that day so I took him to a walk in care clinic. The nurse

> practitionar (SP)came in to look at him and after she finished

> looking she told us that something didn't look right in his left

> ear. She said at are follow-up for the strep throat make sure the

> dr really looks in the left ear. So when we took him in 2wks after

> that I told the dr what she had said and he looked in the ear and

> told us that there was something in it. So he had the nurse come

in

> a flushed the ear out. Nothing came out. So he said he was going

> to send us to a ENT. We waited about a week to get in with the

> ENT. When he first looked in his ear he told me it was a

> cholesteatoma and that he would need surgery. Well, after he said

> surgery my mind went blank!!! I didn't ask questions about the

> surgery or anything. So, when we go on the 6th for his hearing and

> preop I want a list of questions to ask him. Which questions

should

> I ask? Then the surgery is on the 12th of December. I am hoping

> all goes well. He doesn't have to have a CT. I guess my question

> is how long does it usually take for the surgery and the recovery.

> How do they do the surgery do they cut him behind the ear or go in

> through the ear? I'm sorry this is long! Any info would help a

> bunch!!!

>

> Thanks, Sally

>

[Guest guest]

OMG, I wish I had more energy to respond, longer post. I hope you have as normal

a life and pain free as possible? You must be very tough!

Bill

From: Bobbie <doctor_john_h_holliday@...>

Subject: Newbie here!

spinal problems

Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 3:49 AM

Howdy, my name is Bobbie and I suffer from Scheuermann' s kyphosis. I

have had 5 spinal surgeries so far (and hopefully I won't have to have

any more...).

I wasn't diagnosed with the disease until after I tried out for the

military at age 17. Unfortunately it was too late for me to wear a

corrective brace.

I had a lot of pain and didn't like the hunchback look so I had my

first surgery in 2004. I had two foot long rods put on my spine and

it really straightened me out.

Unfortunately, two years ago the rods unhooked themselves from my

spine at the top and came through my skin. I mean, you could see and

touch them! I was rushed to a new Orthopedic doc (because I had moved

to a different state) and he was stunned at what had happened. He

actually got some of the other doctors to come in so he could show

them what had happened because it was so rare. (also, a vertebra in

my neck had come loose from the one below it...)

So I had two surgeries to fix the problem. One to take out the top

half of my rods and another to put new rods in. Luckily I didn't get

infected. At that point I had the original rods at the bottom of my

back, a gap in the middle, and rods going up to my neck.

About six months after I healed from that surgery, I suddenly had a

huge increase in my curve (in the gap). The doc was concerned but he

said to wait and see what would happen and to see him in six months.

About 5 months after that, I developed numbness in my chest area, and

it spread down to my feet so that I could not feel heat, pain, or

touch from my chest down to my feet. I also started having trouble

walking and couldn't run or jump anymore. (I also had increased

reflexes, My feet were incredibly ticklish and when you hit my knees

they would kick out really hard).

The doc was pretty shocked at my condition when I saw him again and he

ordered a bunch of scans to find out what was wrong. Unfortunately,

x-rays didn't show any problem and MRI's didn't work because of my

rods. I had to have fluid injected into my spinal column (twice!)

before they figured out what had gone wrong.

It turns out I had a cyst growing on my spinal cord and it was

compressing it and causing nerve damage. So I had surgery where they

removed all my rods (which was ok since my spine was fused) and popped

the cyst. Then I had another surgery to put a short section of rods

in the middle of my back.

That was about three months ago and I'm healing very nicely. I've

gotten almost 100% of feeling and strength back in my legs.

Unfortunately my back is all curvy shaped again (I miss it being

straight! I feel ugly!).

So yeah, that's my sad tale. I've had some pretty rotten luck, but I

think it has made me a stronger person, so I count it all as a blessing.

[Guest guest]

Dear Bobbie,

Wow, I'm impressed with despite all you've been through you're still so

positive, a real soilder. Your story makes me feel like a big ole tiddy baby,

which I am.

Welcome to the group. Keep posting, it's a honor to meet some one like your

self.

Terry

From: Bobbie <doctor_john_h_holliday@...>

Subject: Newbie here!

spinal problems

Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 3:49 AM

Howdy, my name is Bobbie and I suffer from Scheuermann' s kyphosis. I

have had 5 spinal surgeries so far (and hopefully I won't have to have

any more...).

I wasn't diagnosed with the disease until after I tried out for the

military at age 17. Unfortunately it was too late for me to wear a

corrective brace.

I had a lot of pain and didn't like the hunchback look so I had my

first surgery in 2004. I had two foot long rods put on my spine and

it really straightened me out.

Unfortunately, two years ago the rods unhooked themselves from my

spine at the top and came through my skin. I mean, you could see and

touch them! I was rushed to a new Orthopedic doc (because I had moved

to a different state) and he was stunned at what had happened. He

actually got some of the other doctors to come in so he could show

them what had happened because it was so rare. (also, a vertebra in

my neck had come loose from the one below it...)

So I had two surgeries to fix the problem. One to take out the top

half of my rods and another to put new rods in. Luckily I didn't get

infected. At that point I had the original rods at the bottom of my

back, a gap in the middle, and rods going up to my neck.

About six months after I healed from that surgery, I suddenly had a

huge increase in my curve (in the gap). The doc was concerned but he

said to wait and see what would happen and to see him in six months.

About 5 months after that, I developed numbness in my chest area, and

it spread down to my feet so that I could not feel heat, pain, or

touch from my chest down to my feet. I also started having trouble

walking and couldn't run or jump anymore. (I also had increased

reflexes, My feet were incredibly ticklish and when you hit my knees

they would kick out really hard).

The doc was pretty shocked at my condition when I saw him again and he

ordered a bunch of scans to find out what was wrong. Unfortunately,

x-rays didn't show any problem and MRI's didn't work because of my

rods. I had to have fluid injected into my spinal column (twice!)

before they figured out what had gone wrong.

It turns out I had a cyst growing on my spinal cord and it was

compressing it and causing nerve damage. So I had surgery where they

removed all my rods (which was ok since my spine was fused) and popped

the cyst. Then I had another surgery to put a short section of rods

in the middle of my back.

That was about three months ago and I'm healing very nicely. I've

gotten almost 100% of feeling and strength back in my legs.

Unfortunately my back is all curvy shaped again (I miss it being

straight! I feel ugly!).

So yeah, that's my sad tale. I've had some pretty rotten luck, but I

think it has made me a stronger person, so I count it all as a blessing.

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much! My doctor says the same thing about me. He always

comments on how impressed he is with my attitude since I've had to

" put up with so much at such a young age " as he put it (I just turned 26).

Honestly, I have a personal policy that I refuse to let myself get

depressed about anything. No matter what life throws at me, I am

determined to meet it all with a smile. The way I see it, life is

hard enough, so why add to my problems by allowing myself to be

depressed? I can't change what life has in store for me, but I can

change how I respond to it.

Also, I'm not going to let my spine problems prevent me from

fulfilling my dream of being a Nun someday. I know I won't be much

help if it comes to manual labor, but I'm willing to give them 100% of

what I am capable of.

>

> Dear Bobbie,

> Wow, I'm impressed with despite all you've been through you're still

so positive, a real soilder. Your story makes me feel like a big ole

tiddy baby, which I am.

> Welcome to the group. Keep posting, it's a honor to meet some one

like your self.

> Terry

>

[Guest guest]

I don't know if I'm tough. Honestly I don't feel all that tough

though people tell me that I am. I just take things one day at a

time, and I refuse to allow myself to be depressed about anything. If

I've learned anything of value in my life, it's that the best thing

any of us can do is to learn how to greet everything with a smile, no

matter what. I didn't start out that way, and after the first surgery

I was very depressed because I never expected the suffering I went

through. But somewhere along the way I got tired of being depressed

and put my foot down.

>

> OMG, I wish I had more energy to respond, longer post. I hope you

have as normal a life and pain free as possible? You must be very tough!

> Bill

>

[Guest guest]

Go for it Bobbie. I was studing to become a hospice chaplin awhile back beleive

it our not. Then I've got so down I felt God turned his back on me. I know

that's stupid. Reading the Bible shows me  Jesus suffered, and none of the great

phrophets had it easy. God keeps giving me pop quizs and I keep flunking them

I'm afraid. I'm still trying to figure out what does this all mean, but I guess

it's like Harvey says about the rest of the story. I'll see the big picture

one day, we all will.

God Bless,

Terry

From: Bobbie <doctor_john_h_holliday@...>

Subject: Re: Newbie here!

spinal problems

Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 6:26 PM

Thank you so much! My doctor says the same thing about me. He always

comments on how impressed he is with my attitude since I've had to

" put up with so much at such a young age " as he put it (I just turned 26).

Honestly, I have a personal policy that I refuse to let myself get

depressed about anything. No matter what life throws at me, I am

determined to meet it all with a smile. The way I see it, life is

hard enough, so why add to my problems by allowing myself to be

depressed? I can't change what life has in store for me, but I can

change how I respond to it.

Also, I'm not going to let my spine problems prevent me from

fulfilling my dream of being a Nun someday. I know I won't be much

help if it comes to manual labor, but I'm willing to give them 100% of

what I am capable of.

>

> Dear Bobbie,

> Wow, I'm impressed with despite all you've been through you're still

so positive, a real soilder. Your story makes me feel like a big ole

tiddy baby, which I am.

> Welcome to the group. Keep posting, it's a honor to meet some one

like your self.

> Terry

>

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to say Hi and intro myself. I am . I live in

Tennessee with my Husband of 22 years. We have 7 children. 6 are

still at home. We home school and are VERY busy.

I feel that God sent me on this journey to health. I started 'doing'

the naturally fermented foods about 3 weeks ago. I know I am just

scratching the surface on my knowledge. I was directed to the Body

Ecology Diet. I have not read the book but have scoured everything I

can get my hands on on the web. I believe this is the answer to my

health issues and my families! (well, and a lot of other peoples!) I

have so many health issues: Need to loose over 100lbs, endocrine

system is totally out of whack, I am pre-diabetic, my legs swell very

bad...the list could go on. Basically I am looking for a total body

makeover...not for how I look but how I feel!

I can't wait to learn from everyone. I desperately need support on my

quest for health.

Blessings to all!

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I am wondering what got you started on fermented foods? I'm very glad

you found a better way to eat! Some other potential diets are " The

Maker's Diet " or the " GAPS Diet. " Have you heard of Nourishing

Traditions by Sally Fallon? It has many REAL food recipes and is

packed with health info. You might want to check out this blog at

www.cheeseslave.com where one woman blogs about her struggles and

successes with eating whole foods and living in a modern world. I find

it to resonate with me a lot, and it's very entertaining and

informative. God bless:)

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi,

> I'm looking into VSG with Dr. Aceves in the last Summer. How has it been for

those of you Post OP?

> Thank you,

> Adrienne

>

I had my sleeve done on May 11th. I have had no post-op problems at all, but

have been checking in with Gaby every 10 days with my progress reports and

questions. I've gotten the answers I need. I have also scheduled to see Dr.

Aceves in August for my three month post op tests.

[Guest guest]

Adrienne,Check out the OH forum, you can get tons of information there:http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/http://mwlj2010.blogspot.com/

On Thu, Jun 24, 2010 at 11:58 AM, Adrienne Nielsen <adrienne_nielsen@...> wrote:

 

Hi,

I'm looking into VSG with Dr. Aceves in the last Summer. How has it been for those of you Post OP?

Thank you,

Adrienne

[Guest guest]

Yes,I would agree 62 lbs has melted away.....I have not lost any weight in 2 weeks,but I am looking mighty fine at 5`10 170lbs....and to be NORMAL..

From: Akitress <akitresssmith@...> Sent: Fri, June 25, 2010 7:51:35 AMSubject: Re: NEWBIE HERE!

I can honestly say i was the one who would read this board everyday reading everybody stories. Finally a year last i was sleeved in Feb 2010. To date i lost 80 pounds. I was the person who was always sceptical of the post. I honestly thought ppl were just making up stories but Im here to say we are happy Aceves patients and i wish i had done this years Ago, even though Im just 25 years old i should have done this when i first balloon up to 320 pounds. But with money issues and can't get financial loans i was stuck. I got more determine and save up my money and used income taxes to pay for my life back. Best decision i ever made.On Thu Jun 24th, 2010 10:02 PM EDT Marilou wrote:>WONDERFUL is all I can say. 60 pounds>have melted in 5 months.>>Marilou>>Sent from my iPod>>On Jun 24, 2010, at 10:58 AM, Adrienne Nielsen <adrienne_nielsen@...> wrote:>>> Hi,>> I'm looking into VSG with Dr. Aceves in the last Summer. How has it been for those of you Post OP?>> Thank you,>> Adrienne>> >>