Re: Helping out a friend

[Guest guest]

1. Water, water, water. I have noticed that I totally do better when

I drink atleast a gallon a day.

2. She's having way too many meal replacements. I would nix those

bars and only have one shake a day.

3. I would cut out all sugar...make sure she's not slipping 'a

little' on that oatmeal or strawberries in the morning. I have done

much better since I cut out sweeteners too.

4. Eat more veggies. Cut the bread.

These are just suggestions. I do better with these modifications,

each person should experiment. However, I have HEARD that alot of

women see NO change until the 7-8th weeks.

Astra

> Good afternoon ladies. I am writing in hopes that you

> guys can give me some insight to help a friend.

> I work with a woman, she is 49 years old, who is on

> her 5th week of BFL and has yet to see ANY changes.

> She said the biggest change in weight she has seen is

> 2 pounds and so far her measurements have not changed

> one bit. She said that she is excercising according

> to the book (although I am not quite sure if she is

> getting the most out of her cardio as she should, that

> is just between all of you and I though) and eating

> right (she has had a few mess ups but not nearlyenough

> to cause any problems)

> The following is what she has been eating:

> Meal 1: cottage cheese and either oatmeal

> orstrawberries

> Meale #2: Myoplex lite barMeal #3: cottage cheese,

> broccoli and strawberries

> Meal #4: myoplex lite shake

> Meal #5: Albacore tuna (sometimes on toast), broccoli

> and a potato (that is if she doesn't have it on

> thetoast)Meal #6: myoplex shake

> She is completely devistated and I am hoping that you

> guys can give me some advice to give her, I am so

> afraid of telling her what I think as I don;t want to

> upset her or make her think I " know " more than her.

> Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Thanks

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

We're going to be prying bread out of Nity's hand when she receives

her Grand Master Chamion check!!! (that and her 'anti-hussman'

newsletter!!) LOL

Astra ;-)

[Guest guest]

astramari02 wrote:

> 1. Water, water, water. I have noticed that I totally do better when

> I drink atleast a gallon a day.

>

> 2. She's having way too many meal replacements. I would nix those

> bars and only have one shake a day.

>

> 3. I would cut out all sugar...make sure she's not slipping 'a

> little' on that oatmeal or strawberries in the morning. I have done

> much better since I cut out sweeteners too.

>

> 4. Eat more veggies. Cut the bread.

>

> These are just suggestions. I do better with these modifications,

> each person should experiment. However, I have HEARD that alot of

> women see NO change until the 7-8th weeks.

>

> Astra

What Astra said (Except for the Bread part. *grin*)

Serenity

[Guest guest]

astramari02 wrote:

> We're going to be prying bread out of Nity's hand when she receives

> her Grand Master Chamion check!!! (that and her 'anti-hussman'

> newsletter!!) LOL

>

> Astra ;-)

That's Grand Mistress Champion check to you, girlie *wink*

Serenity

[Guest guest]

Perhaps the shakes aren't " doing it " for her ... first of all the myoplex lite

shakes don't have enough carbs. Suggest she enter her meals on www.Fitday.com

which will show her whether she's getting the good balance of

protein/carbs/fats she needs. She should be having veggies and/or salads twice

a day if possible. And how's she doing on her water? AND - the killer

question: What does she do on her free day? lol You also mentioned she has had

a few mess-ups - some people's mess-ups are worse than others.

Also, she may be one of those who won't show results until the 7th or 8th

week.

Rita

Helping out a friend

Good afternoon ladies. I am writing in hopes that you

guys can give me some insight to help a friend.

I work with a woman, she is 49 years old, who is on

her 5th week of BFL and has yet to see ANY changes.

She said the biggest change in weight she has seen is

2 pounds and so far her measurements have not changed

one bit. She said that she is excercising according

to the book (although I am not quite sure if she is

getting the most out of her cardio as she should, that

is just between all of you and I though) and eating

right (she has had a few mess ups but not nearlyenough

to cause any problems)

The following is what she has been eating:

Meal 1: cottage cheese and either oatmeal

orstrawberries

Meale #2: Myoplex lite barMeal #3: cottage cheese,

broccoli and strawberries

Meal #4: myoplex lite shake

Meal #5: Albacore tuna (sometimes on toast), broccoli

and a potato (that is if she doesn't have it on

thetoast)Meal #6: myoplex shake

She is completely devistated and I am hoping that you

guys can give me some advice to give her, I am so

afraid of telling her what I think as I don;t want to

upset her or make her think I " know " more than her.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Thanks

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I also am pretty into the shakes myself, I have two a

day, the carbs are at 20 and I was under the

impression that we should try and aim for 20-30 carbs

per meal. Am I wrong on this one?

She is doing pretty good on water, she drinks around

100oz/day. I did put in there that she is eating

veggies, she eats broccoli twice a day. I don't

believe she is TOO bad on her free day, from what she

has said she really can't stuff herself.

I can't figure out why it isn't working for her except

for the fact that maybe she isn't working hard enough

in her workouts, I just don't know how to go about

telling her that though. I know as far as her mess

ups go it is like she will go out with her boyfriend

during the week and maybe have a drink or two (she

only does that like once I think) and then around

Memorial Day I remember her saying that she kind of

extended her free day to 3 days (they weren't real bad

though.

HELP!!!!!!!!

--- ribar <ribar@...> wrote:

> Perhaps the shakes aren't " doing it " for her ...

> first of all the myoplex lite shakes don't have

> enough carbs. Suggest she enter her meals on

> www.Fitday.com

> which will show her whether she's getting the

> good balance of protein/carbs/fats she needs. She

> should be having veggies and/or salads twice a day

> if possible. And how's she doing on her water? AND

> - the killer question: What does she do on her free

> day? lol You also mentioned she has had a few

> mess-ups - some people's mess-ups are worse than

> others.

> Also, she may be one of those who won't show

> results until the 7th or 8th week.

> Rita

>

> Helping out

> a friend

>

>

> Good afternoon ladies. I am writing in hopes that

> you

> guys can give me some insight to help a friend.

> I work with a woman, she is 49 years old, who is

> on

> her 5th week of BFL and has yet to see ANY

> changes.

> She said the biggest change in weight she has seen

> is

> 2 pounds and so far her measurements have not

> changed

> one bit. She said that she is excercising

> according

> to the book (although I am not quite sure if she

> is

> getting the most out of her cardio as she should,

> that

> is just between all of you and I though) and

> eating

> right (she has had a few mess ups but not

> nearlyenough

> to cause any problems)

> The following is what she has been eating:

> Meal 1: cottage cheese and either oatmeal

> orstrawberries

> Meale #2: Myoplex lite barMeal #3: cottage cheese,

> broccoli and strawberries

> Meal #4: myoplex lite shake

> Meal #5: Albacore tuna (sometimes on toast),

> broccoli

> and a potato (that is if she doesn't have it on

> thetoast)Meal #6: myoplex shake

> She is completely devistated and I am hoping that

> you

> guys can give me some advice to give her, I am so

> afraid of telling her what I think as I don;t want

> to

> upset her or make her think I " know " more than

> her.

> Any advice would be greatly

> appreciated.Thanks

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

I really don't know. Maybe she needs to watch her calories

closer...is she using something to count them, like FITDAY?

I mean, this whole thing is calories in/calories out. A focus on the

deficit should result in fat loss, though I've heard stories where it

just didn't.

If she want's help, she's going to have to hear about hitting her

10's in her workouts. It's the FRIENDLY thing to do...tell the

truth. Even if it's not ALWAYS what people want to hear.

Astra

> > Perhaps the shakes aren't " doing it " for her ...

> > first of all the myoplex lite shakes don't have

> > enough carbs. Suggest she enter her meals on

> > www.Fitday.com

> > which will show her whether she's getting the

> > good balance of protein/carbs/fats she needs. She

> > should be having veggies and/or salads twice a day

> > if possible. And how's she doing on her water? AND

> > - the killer question: What does she do on her free

> > day? lol You also mentioned she has had a few

> > mess-ups - some people's mess-ups are worse than

> > others.

> > Also, she may be one of those who won't show

> > results until the 7th or 8th week.

> > Rita

> >

> > Helping out

> > a friend

> >

> >

> > Good afternoon ladies. I am writing in hopes that

> > you

> > guys can give me some insight to help a friend.

> > I work with a woman, she is 49 years old, who is

> > on

> > her 5th week of BFL and has yet to see ANY

> > changes.

> > She said the biggest change in weight she has seen

> > is

> > 2 pounds and so far her measurements have not

> > changed

> > one bit. She said that she is excercising

> > according

> > to the book (although I am not quite sure if she

> > is

> > getting the most out of her cardio as she should,

> > that

> > is just between all of you and I though) and

> > eating

> > right (she has had a few mess ups but not

> > nearlyenough

> > to cause any problems)

> > The following is what she has been eating:

> > Meal 1: cottage cheese and either oatmeal

> > orstrawberries

> > Meale #2: Myoplex lite barMeal #3: cottage cheese,

> > broccoli and strawberries

> > Meal #4: myoplex lite shake

> > Meal #5: Albacore tuna (sometimes on toast),

> > broccoli

> > and a potato (that is if she doesn't have it on

> > thetoast)Meal #6: myoplex shake

> > She is completely devistated and I am hoping that

> > you

> > guys can give me some advice to give her, I am so

> > afraid of telling her what I think as I don;t want

> > to

> > upset her or make her think I " know " more than

> > her.

> > Any advice would be greatly

> > appreciated.Thanks

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Sorry - didn't see the broccoli twice a day! lol

I really have nothing more to add - sorry . But I still think she should

try fitday.com (or perhaps you could do it for her and see how it measures out)

Rita

Helping out

> a friend

>

>

> Good afternoon ladies. I am writing in hopes that

> you

> guys can give me some insight to help a friend.

> I work with a woman, she is 49 years old, who is

> on

> her 5th week of BFL and has yet to see ANY

> changes.

> She said the biggest change in weight she has seen

> is

> 2 pounds and so far her measurements have not

> changed

> one bit. She said that she is excercising

> according

> to the book (although I am not quite sure if she

> is

> getting the most out of her cardio as she should,

> that

> is just between all of you and I though) and

> eating

> right (she has had a few mess ups but not

> nearlyenough

> to cause any problems)

> The following is what she has been eating:

> Meal 1: cottage cheese and either oatmeal

> orstrawberries

> Meale #2: Myoplex lite barMeal #3: cottage cheese,

> broccoli and strawberries

> Meal #4: myoplex lite shake

> Meal #5: Albacore tuna (sometimes on toast),

> broccoli

> and a potato (that is if she doesn't have it on

> thetoast)Meal #6: myoplex shake

> She is completely devistated and I am hoping that

> you

> guys can give me some advice to give her, I am so

> afraid of telling her what I think as I don;t want

> to

> upset her or make her think I " know " more than

> her.

> Any advice would be greatly

> appreciated.Thanks

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Ditto what Astra said.

Helping out

> > a friend

> >

> >

> > Good afternoon ladies. I am writing in hopes that

> > you

> > guys can give me some insight to help a friend.

> > I work with a woman, she is 49 years old, who is

> > on

> > her 5th week of BFL and has yet to see ANY

> > changes.

> > She said the biggest change in weight she has seen

> > is

> > 2 pounds and so far her measurements have not

> > changed

> > one bit. She said that she is excercising

> > according

> > to the book (although I am not quite sure if she

> > is

> > getting the most out of her cardio as she should,

> > that

> > is just between all of you and I though) and

> > eating

> > right (she has had a few mess ups but not

> > nearlyenough

> > to cause any problems)

> > The following is what she has been eating:

> > Meal 1: cottage cheese and either oatmeal

> > orstrawberries

> > Meale #2: Myoplex lite barMeal #3: cottage cheese,

> > broccoli and strawberries

> > Meal #4: myoplex lite shake

> > Meal #5: Albacore tuna (sometimes on toast),

> > broccoli

> > and a potato (that is if she doesn't have it on

> > thetoast)Meal #6: myoplex shake

> > She is completely devistated and I am hoping that

> > you

> > guys can give me some advice to give her, I am so

> > afraid of telling her what I think as I don;t want

> > to

> > upset her or make her think I " know " more than

> > her.

> > Any advice would be greatly

> > appreciated.Thanks

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

If your friend has been over weight for a long time, and/or if your

friend has indulged in numerous " diets " , then there may be changes

going on that she cannot see, but are happening nonetheless. Change

happens internaly first, and you can't see it. There often is fat

around your organs, or fat actaully in your organ tissue and muscles

(think of a " marbled steak " ). That is the first to go, and by the way

is the most important to get rid of to be healthy.

It is possible that your friend is not really hitting her " 10 " s when

working out. Can you work out with her? Maybe you can broach it

this way " Let me come work out with you, see if we can tweek what you

are doing to speed up progress. " Then, you will see what she is

doing and know if that is the problem. More importantly SHE will see

what YOU are doing, and perhaps see the problem for herself. In

either case it will open the dialogue.

I have heard from several sources that it is not unusual for women to

not see much from a new nutrition/work-out in the first 6-8 weeks, so

it could be that she just has to keep doing what she is doing and the

changes will come.

Alys

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> Good afternoon ladies. I am writing in hopes that you

> guys can give me some insight to help a friend.

> I work with a woman, she is 49 years old, who is on

> her 5th week of BFL and has yet to see ANY changes.

> She said the biggest change in weight she has seen is

> 2 pounds and so far her measurements have not changed

> one bit. She said that she is excercising according

> to the book (although I am not quite sure if she is

> getting the most out of her cardio as she should, that

> is just between all of you and I though) and eating

> right (she has had a few mess ups but not nearlyenough

> to cause any problems)

> The following is what she has been eating:

> Meal 1: cottage cheese and either oatmeal

> orstrawberries

> Meale #2: Myoplex lite barMeal #3: cottage cheese,

> broccoli and strawberries

> Meal #4: myoplex lite shake

> Meal #5: Albacore tuna (sometimes on toast), broccoli

> and a potato (that is if she doesn't have it on

> thetoast)Meal #6: myoplex shake

> She is completely devistated and I am hoping that you

> guys can give me some advice to give her, I am so

> afraid of telling her what I think as I don;t want to

> upset her or make her think I " know " more than her.

> Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Thanks

Other than agreeing with Astra.. I think it might behoove your friend to eat

a wider variety of foods. I just don't think she's getting all the nutrients

her body needs from eating mainly cottage cheese and shakes every day. And

where are the veggies? :/

Serenity

--

http://users.starpower.net/kuranes/BFL/NityBFL.html

[Guest guest]

wrote:

>

> I can't figure out why it isn't working for her except

> for the fact that maybe she isn't working hard enough

> in her workouts, I just don't know how to go about

> telling her that though. I know as far as her mess

> ups go it is like she will go out with her boyfriend

> during the week and maybe have a drink or two (she

> only does that like once I think) and then around

> Memorial Day I remember her saying that she kind of

> extended her free day to 3 days (they weren't real bad

> though.

> HELP!!!!!!!!

It sounds to me like it could be just a case of plain old impatience. (and a

drink or 2 which is NINE calories per gram. UGH.) Didn't you say she's only

been at it for five weeks?

Serenity

--

http://users.starpower.net/kuranes/BFL/NityBFL.html

[Guest guest]

Serenity,

Yes, she is only on her fifth week, but she is the

kind of person where if she doesn't see results right

away she gives up and tries some other fad diet or

product. She followed the Atkins program for YEARS

and just these past few months is just quit working

for her, she stopped seeing ANY kind of results (mind

you she wasn't excercising either) and gained I think

she said like 15 or 20 pounds. She is by no means

" overweight " she weighs about 135 but is only 5'4 " so

she just wants to loose about 15 pounds or so.

I just don't know what to tell her.

Very difficult.

--- kuranes <kuranes@...> wrote:

>

>

> wrote:

>

> >

> > I can't figure out why it isn't working for her

> except

> > for the fact that maybe she isn't working hard

> enough

> > in her workouts, I just don't know how to go about

> > telling her that though. I know as far as her

> mess

> > ups go it is like she will go out with her

> boyfriend

> > during the week and maybe have a drink or two (she

> > only does that like once I think) and then around

> > Memorial Day I remember her saying that she kind

> of

> > extended her free day to 3 days (they weren't real

> bad

> > though.

> > HELP!!!!!!!!

>

> It sounds to me like it could be just a case of

> plain old impatience. (and a

> drink or 2 which is NINE calories per gram. UGH.)

> Didn't you say she's only

> been at it for five weeks?

> Serenity

> --

> http://users.starpower.net/kuranes/BFL/NityBFL.html

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Good quote. It is just so hard because I LOVE BFL and

have had great success with it and I know if she does

it right and gives it time eventually it will work to

her advantage, unfortunately she plans on quitting

after 12 weeks anyhow, she doesn't want a " diet " you

have to stick to for life just something that will

give her what she wants and then she can go back to

normal.

--- kuranes <kuranes@...> wrote:

>

>

> wrote:

>

> > Serenity,

> > Yes, she is only on her fifth week, but she is

> the

> > kind of person where if she doesn't see results

> right

> > away she gives up and tries some other fad diet or

> > product. She followed the Atkins program for

> YEARS

> > and just these past few months is just quit

> working

> > for her, she stopped seeing ANY kind of results

> (mind

> > you she wasn't excercising either) and gained I

> think

> > she said like 15 or 20 pounds. She is by no means

> > " overweight " she weighs about 135 but is only 5'4 "

> so

> > she just wants to loose about 15 pounds or so.

> > I just don't know what to tell her.

> > Very difficult.

> >

>

> Tell her " Have patience young grasshopper " And then

> let her fail or succeed

> on her own I wish I had better advice :/

> Serenity

> --

> http://www.theonion.com

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> Serenity,

> Yes, she is only on her fifth week, but she is the

> kind of person where if she doesn't see results right

> away she gives up and tries some other fad diet or

> product. She followed the Atkins program for YEARS

> and just these past few months is just quit working

> for her, she stopped seeing ANY kind of results (mind

> you she wasn't excercising either) and gained I think

> she said like 15 or 20 pounds. She is by no means

> " overweight " she weighs about 135 but is only 5'4 " so

> she just wants to loose about 15 pounds or so.

> I just don't know what to tell her.

> Very difficult.

>

Tell her " Have patience young grasshopper " And then let her fail or succeed

on her own I wish I had better advice :/

Serenity

--

http://www.theonion.com

[Guest guest]

Then why bother?

Re: Helping out a friend

Good quote. It is just so hard because I LOVE BFL and

have had great success with it and I know if she does

it right and gives it time eventually it will work to

her advantage, unfortunately she plans on quitting

after 12 weeks anyhow, she doesn't want a " diet " you

have to stick to for life just something that will

give her what she wants and then she can go back to

normal.

--- kuranes <kuranes@...> wrote:

>

>

> wrote:

>

> > Serenity,

> > Yes, she is only on her fifth week, but she is

> the

> > kind of person where if she doesn't see results

> right

> > away she gives up and tries some other fad diet or

> > product. She followed the Atkins program for

> YEARS

> > and just these past few months is just quit

> working

> > for her, she stopped seeing ANY kind of results

> (mind

> > you she wasn't excercising either) and gained I

> think

> > she said like 15 or 20 pounds. She is by no means

> > " overweight " she weighs about 135 but is only 5'4 "

> so

> > she just wants to loose about 15 pounds or so.

> > I just don't know what to tell her.

> > Very difficult.

> >

>

> Tell her " Have patience young grasshopper " And then

> let her fail or succeed

> on her own I wish I had better advice :/

> Serenity

> --

> http://www.theonion.com

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> Good quote. It is just so hard because I LOVE BFL and

> have had great success with it and I know if she does

> it right and gives it time eventually it will work to

> her advantage, unfortunately she plans on quitting

> after 12 weeks anyhow, she doesn't want a " diet " you

> have to stick to for life just something that will

> give her what she wants and then she can go back to

> normal.

>

I know how you feel :/ But, I think, the best we can do as people is lead by

example, you know? Maybe she'll see " the truth " after seeing you stick with

it.. It's frustrating though when you sometimes just want to smack someone

upside the head and say, " Hey you dope. It works! "

Serenity :/

--

http://www.theonion.com

[Guest guest]

,

<<she doesn't want a " diet " you

have to stick to for life just something that will

give her what she wants and then she can go back to

normal.>>

Then she will always re-gain the weight and be back in square one. Let her do

it her way. Some day she'll come around on her own. If she views this as a 12

week thing, she missed the major point.

Park

Re: Helping out a friend

Good quote. It is just so hard because I LOVE BFL and

have had great success with it and I know if she does

it right and gives it time eventually it will work to

her advantage, unfortunately she plans on quitting

after 12 weeks anyhow, she doesn't want a " diet " you

have to stick to for life just something that will

give her what she wants and then she can go back to

normal.

--- kuranes <kuranes@...> wrote:

>

>

> wrote:

>

> > Serenity,

> > Yes, she is only on her fifth week, but she is

> the

> > kind of person where if she doesn't see results

> right

> > away she gives up and tries some other fad diet or

> > product. She followed the Atkins program for

> YEARS

> > and just these past few months is just quit

> working

> > for her, she stopped seeing ANY kind of results

> (mind

> > you she wasn't excercising either) and gained I

> think

> > she said like 15 or 20 pounds. She is by no means

> > " overweight " she weighs about 135 but is only 5'4 "

> so

> > she just wants to loose about 15 pounds or so.

> > I just don't know what to tell her.

> > Very difficult.

> >

>

> Tell her " Have patience young grasshopper " And then

> let her fail or succeed

> on her own I wish I had better advice :/

> Serenity

> --

> http://www.theonion.com

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I know, I guess I just really wanted her to see how

great this program is and that isn't just a " diet " but

a way of life that is so beneficial to stick with.

I am so loving everything about BFL and sometimes I

wish I could stand on a mountain top and sing its

praises, everyone should know that it is possible to

loose weight enjoyably without torturing yourself.

Oh well, I do appreciate everyones feedback and I did

tell her about the shakes and the veggies and what not

so I guess we will see.

Thanks again,

--- sparkybfl <sparkybfl@...> wrote:

> ,

>

> <<she doesn't want a " diet " you

> have to stick to for life just something that will

> give her what she wants and then she can go back to

> normal.>>

>

> Then she will always re-gain the weight and be back

> in square one. Let her do it her way. Some day

> she'll come around on her own. If she views this as

> a 12 week thing, she missed the major point.

> Park

> Re: Helping

> out a friend

>

>

> Good quote. It is just so hard because I LOVE BFL

> and

> have had great success with it and I know if she

> does

> it right and gives it time eventually it will work

> to

> her advantage, unfortunately she plans on quitting

> after 12 weeks anyhow, she doesn't want a " diet "

> you

> have to stick to for life just something that will

> give her what she wants and then she can go back

> to

> normal.

>

> --- kuranes <kuranes@...> wrote:

> >

> >

> > wrote:

> >

> > > Serenity,

> > > Yes, she is only on her fifth week, but she

> is

> > the

> > > kind of person where if she doesn't see

> results

> > right

> > > away she gives up and tries some other fad

> diet or

> > > product. She followed the Atkins program for

> > YEARS

> > > and just these past few months is just quit

> > working

> > > for her, she stopped seeing ANY kind of

> results

> > (mind

> > > you she wasn't excercising either) and gained

> I

> > think

> > > she said like 15 or 20 pounds. She is by no

> means

> > > " overweight " she weighs about 135 but is only

> 5'4 "

> > so

> > > she just wants to loose about 15 pounds or so.

> > > I just don't know what to tell her.

> > > Very difficult.

> > >

> >

> > Tell her " Have patience young grasshopper " And

> then

> > let her fail or succeed

> > on her own I wish I had better advice :/

> > Serenity

> > --

> > http://www.theonion.com

> >

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

,

If she was doing Atkins for years, and she was not exersising at all,

her body fat percentage probably started out high. Explain to her

all the internal changes that she is makeing, and tell her to stick

with it to the end. She will be happy she did for two reasons. One,

because it WILL work for her. Two, because she made a commitment to

herself and saw it through to the end.

check out www.hussman.org. There is a lot of good info on who this

program works.

Alys

[Guest guest]

, can you get your friend to join us here? It can help to

have this huge resource of information and support.

Alys

[Guest guest]

Hi Barbara,

I don't know how far your friend is from Washington University in St Louis but I

found the most wonderful scoliosis doctor. His name is Lawrence Lenke and he is

world known. He straightened a girl from Moscow who had a 149 degree curve. He

is so sweet and has such a good sense of humor. I scheduled my surgery with him

on my first visit. (I know there are folks on this list that have heard this

story many times, sorry)

Joyce

Helping out a friend

I had the opportunity to help out an aquaintance with

scoliosis. This woman, Fran, is in her 60's and I met her while

taking my water walking classes. Fran teaches advanced water

aerobics and has done so for years. She also has untreated scoliosis

and spondylolisthesis. I've been talking with her for the last

couple of years as it's obvious her curve is getting worse and she is

in a lot of pain. Fear has been holding her back from treatment.

She saw a doctor who was very abrupt and uncaring and he frightened

her. I know who it is as I saw him once years ago.

I made some recommendations to her but she found a doctor at the

University of Missouri, Dr. Gaines. I have heard the name and

she said he specializes in spondylolisthesis. She finally called for

an appointment in July. I know she's scared, especially since she

knows what I've been through. I don't think she would have been able

to function this long except for the fact that she is very active. I

told her she can call me any time to talk. She said something that

I've heard many times in this group. " It's so good to talk to you

because nobody else understands what I'm going through. "

Just thought I would share this story with the group. You never

know when you will be able to help someone.

Barbara

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

[Guest guest]

Kathi...

When I meet people with Harrington rods who are pain free, I usually

just tell them that they should seek the advice of a scoliosis

specialist if they should start having any back pain. Since most

people with Harrington rods that don't extend past L2 don't have

problems, I don't think there's any sense in scaring them. Just my

opinion. :-)

--

[Guest guest]

, can you extrapolate for a novice to tell me what it all means to

T6-L5?

Carole

[Guest guest]

Hi, ,

As you might recollect (although you certainly must have hundreds of people's

case histories in your brain's hard drive by now!), I had a second spinal fusion

in 1986, to remedy scoliotic deterioration below my uninstrumented,

early-sixties, T5-T12 fusion. With the new fusion, I acquired a Harrington rod

extending to L2.

Since then, I have needed six (6) revision procedures for severely disabling

fixed sagittal imbalance and associated problems. Of course this information is

purely anecdotal, pertaining to only one patient (me).

I also know a woman who looks and feels terrific, some 20 years after surgery to

implant a Harrington rod down to T12 -- again, anecdotal.

That said, I was interested to read this comment from you:

Kathi...

.. . . . Since most

people with Harrington rods that don't extend past L2 don't have

problems, I don't think there's any sense in scaring them. Just my

opinion. :-

I couldn't agree more about not scaring people, . I hope most of the

information I do provide is reasonably accurate and helpful without being

alarmist. It would be wonderful if I could get hold of the studies or statistics

that support the lack of problems following most fusions terminating at L2 or

higher. Do you have any citation for this which I could incorporate in my own

files? I am not doubting you -- I just did not realize that anyone had gathered

sufficient epidemiological data on the Harrington rod population to support

this statement. So many patients have inevitably been " lost to follow-up " --

maybe because they are problem free, but who knows for sure?

Thanks,

.