Making Progress

August 30, 2004

In a message dated 8/30/2004 10:16:54 PM Pacific Standard Time, snowlynx20@... writes:

I don't know what I

weighed at surgery 5 weeks later, because the scale they had didn't

go high enough to weigh me! How much more embarrassing could THAT

be??

Here's an embarrassing one for you. You know those therapeutic stockings docs want you to wear following surgery? Well, the doc wanted me to wear them during surgery and after and when the nurse measured me to "order" the stockings from the pharmacy the company didn't make them big enough for me! The largest size was XL and my calve inches didn't fit into their size range. (My right calve is 2 inches bigger than my left!) Mind you, I'd be PROUD if these were all muscle, but not a chance. LOL Maybe the docs doing weight loss surgery need to find out if there's a company that makes very large stockings of this type. On a brighter note--I was actually HAPPY that I didn't have to wear them. I"m a barefoot kind of gal.

makenzie <---who also says, TELL YOUR FAMILY TO GO TAKE A HIKE when they ask "why only one pound" that particular week. (Hope you're not offended by this, but some nerve they have!) You are doing a FABULOUS job. Keep up the great work, really!

August 31, 2004

, you've done AWESOME!!! You need to educate your family so they

know that the average weight loss is 1-2 # a week with the band, and

you will not be losing every single week.

And, besides, your weight is YOUR concern, not your family's - there

is no need for them to know exactly how much you are losing per week -

banding is about way more than just weight loss - it's about

regaining your mental and ohysical health, and this has little to do

with the number on the scale. stand up for yourself, and tell them

that " My doc says I am doing great, and not to be weighing so often.'

Then, just don't tell them your weight! None of their business

anyway! *YOU* know, and *WE* know you are doing great!!Sandy R

-

-- In , " snowlynx20 "

<snowlynx20@y...> wrote:

> Hi there, Smart Bandsters!

>

> I'm kind of looking for some reassurance here, I guess. I was

> banded on 2/6/04, and I feel really good about the progress I've

> made, even if it's a little slower than my family seems to think it

> ought to be. The first month was amazing, then it evened out, like

> I knew it would, but it sometimes rankles when the family

> replies, " You only lost a pound this week? Why? " My two-weeks on

> liquid after my band was placed let me lose 25 lbs. Now, almost 7

> months after placement, I'm down 62 pounds total. I've still got a

> LONG, long way to go, but I do feel like I'm making progress. At

> the beginning of the year, I weighed 384. I don't know what I

> weighed at surgery 5 weeks later, because the scale they had didn't

> go high enough to weigh me! How much more embarrassing could THAT

> be?? Now I'm down to 322. I'm hoping to be down to 295 or less by

> the time this year is over. (Don't want to say " new year's " and

jinx

> it, like all my resolutions!)

>

> Cheers!

>

> 384/322/160~ I hope...

August 31, 2004

> Hi there, Smart Bandsters!

>

I feel really good about the progress I've

> made, even if it's a little slower than my family seems to think it

> ought to be.

Oh lord, do I feel your pain!!! I'm getting the same thing from not

only my family (*every* phone conversation starts with, so how much

have you lost this week?) but from everyone at work (im " the test

case " because there are a ton of other overweight people here who are

watching to see how I do, so they can decide if this is a surgery

that they'd consider) and every day I walk in, I get " So.. how much

have you lost now? " (Since this morning when you last asked? Uh..

maybe an ounce?)or someone yelling (across the room) " Hey, Skinny! "

(Give me a break. I'm 250. There's not a skinny bone on my body.)

Theyre just trying to help but.. I dont think any of them (family or

ccoworkers) have any idea how hard, stressful, and emotional all this

is. For the first three weeks after I went back to work, I went home

crying almost every day, cause I thought I was letting everyone down

with my slow weight loss. As for my family.. well.. I wont even go

into what they say every time I put anything besides water in my

mouth (Okay, I will. They usually start with " Hey, look.. that

cracker/chip/piece of chicken she's eating is worth $12k! " (the

amount I paid for my surgery), etc, etc.)

Eventually, I spoke to the people I felt comfortable telling how

their comments were making me feel, and learned how to ignore the

rest of them. I'm doing this for *me*.. and so are you. Your family

has no right to comment or judge. After all, how much a week are

*they* loosing?

Okay, sorry for the rant.. you hit a subject close to my heart. Best

of luck with everything! Just keep thinking.. in another year,

they'll be eating all those " that's it? " comments!

-Vonja

August 31, 2004

Those are the exact same reasons I chose not to tell anyone about my surgery. I only told my close family only. For other people who notice my weight loss, I just tell them I have started a "new life". For me anyway, telling others leaves it open for unwanted attention and remarks. Maybe that's just me but I'm more of a private person. Good luck.

Babs in Vegas

8/5/04

-20

Dr. O

Re: Making progress

> Hi there, Smart Bandsters!> I feel really good about the progress I've > made, even if it's a little slower than my family seems to think it > ought to be. Oh lord, do I feel your pain!!! I'm getting the same thing from not only my family (*every* phone conversation starts with, so how much have you lost this week?) but from everyone at work (im "the test case" because there are a ton of other overweight people here who are watching to see how I do, so they can decide if this is a surgery that they'd consider) and every day I walk in, I get "So.. how much have you lost now?" (Since this morning when you last asked? Uh.. maybe an ounce?)or someone yelling (across the room) "Hey, Skinny!" (Give me a break. I'm 250. There's not a skinny bone on my body.) Theyre just trying to help but.. I dont think any of them (family or ccoworkers) have any idea how hard, stressful, and emotional all this is. For the first three weeks after I went back to work, I went home crying almost every day, cause I thought I was letting everyone down with my slow weight loss. As for my family.. well.. I wont even go into what they say every time I put anything besides water in my mouth (Okay, I will. They usually start with "Hey, look.. that cracker/chip/piece of chicken she's eating is worth $12k!" (the amount I paid for my surgery), etc, etc.) Eventually, I spoke to the people I felt comfortable telling how their comments were making me feel, and learned how to ignore the rest of them. I'm doing this for *me*.. and so are you. Your family has no right to comment or judge. After all, how much a week are *they* loosing? Okay, sorry for the rant.. you hit a subject close to my heart. Best of luck with everything! Just keep thinking.. in another year, they'll be eating all those "that's it?" comments! -Vonja

August 31, 2004

,

Your doing just fine and ignore your family. Tell them that you are

losing the weight healthily and in tne long run, it doesn't matter

if it took 2 years or 3 years, but this is the best surgery to

have. You already know this. I'm jsut trying to reassure you.

Have you got a recent fill? Sometimes that mihgt increase your

weight loss. However, if your still losing enen 1 lb a week, then

perhaps the fill might not be the best idea. It might cause you

reflux instead.

> Hi there, Smart Bandsters!

>

> I'm kind of looking for some reassurance here, I guess. I was

> banded on 2/6/04, and I feel really good about the progress I've

> made, even if it's a little slower than my family seems to think

it

> ought to be. The first month was amazing, then it evened out,

like

> I knew it would, but it sometimes rankles when the family

> replies, " You only lost a pound this week? Why? " My two-weeks on

> liquid after my band was placed let me lose 25 lbs. Now, almost 7

> months after placement, I'm down 62 pounds total. I've still got

a

> LONG, long way to go, but I do feel like I'm making progress. At

> the beginning of the year, I weighed 384. I don't know what I

> weighed at surgery 5 weeks later, because the scale they had

didn't

> go high enough to weigh me! How much more embarrassing could THAT

> be?? Now I'm down to 322. I'm hoping to be down to 295 or less

by

> the time this year is over. (Don't want to say " new year's " and

jinx

> it, like all my resolutions!)

>

> Cheers!

>

> 384/322/160~ I hope...

August 31, 2004

Monday, August 30, 2004, 11:15:22 PM, you wrote:

s> I'm kind of looking for some reassurance here, I guess. I was

s> banded on 2/6/04, and I feel really good about the progress I've

s> made, even if it's a little slower than my family seems to think it

s> ought to be.

It is YOUR weight and YOUR life, not your family's. What they think

really doesn't matter. (I know that it does to you because they're

your family....but it just isn't their business)

s> The first month was amazing, then it evened out, like

s> I knew it would, but it sometimes rankles when the family

s> replies, " You only lost a pound this week? Why? "

Maybe because you didn't have a bypass? Some weeks you might not lose

at all. No big deal. Some other week you'll lose more.

In my opinion, if they ask how you're doing, the answer is " just

fine " . If they want to know details, there are many ways to say " not

your business " . Choose the one that works for you.

To me it is like after getting married people will say stuff like

" how's married life " and the proper answer is " great " . If they press

for more, you don't tell them the details of your sex life, do you?

The exact details of your weight are in the same category...unless YOU

choose to tell them.

cheers

dan

Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.mylapband.tk

Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03

323/209/199 Age 61

August 31, 2004

Well, I am 13 months out and have lost 76 pounds, and am very happy

with that! I told very few people about my surgery -- I do not like

being under scrutiny. If I were you I would figure out a nice, or

otherwise, way of getting people to back off! You didn't gain it

overnight, and you aren't going to lose it that way.

I like what Dr. Phil says -- something like, it doesn't matter what

you weigh next month, what matters is what you weigh next YEAR! I

used this philosophy to set a goal of 2 years to lose 100 lbs. I

have surpassed my first year's goal and am very happy with that.

You are doing great! People lose at all different rates! This is

normal and expected! We are all individual! 1 - 2 pounds per week

is 'normal' but it doesn't always come off that way. Sometimes it's

3 or 4 pounds one month, 5 or 6 another month, or even 2-3 another

month. 1-2 lbs. per week is the 'average'. Once I didn't lose for 4

weeks, then dropped 6 or 7 pounds all at once. You just can't tell

how your body is going to release the weight. But keep doing the

right things, and it will keep coming off.

Sorry, but this is one of my 'hot' buttons! I hate it when people

think they can just say whatever they want about your weight or

weight loss. This is an area where people can be extremely

tactless. Figure out a way to get them to back off. You are a smart

person -- you can do this. Even if you just say, 'I have decided

that this is private and I do not wish to discuss it further'.

You will get there, but don't let the 'outside' world discourage

you! Look how far you've come. Set a reasonable goal for the next 6

months and work toward that.

Best of luck,

Betty

> Hi there, Smart Bandsters!

>

> I'm kind of looking for some reassurance here, I guess. I was

> banded on 2/6/04, and I feel really good about the progress I've

> made, even if it's a little slower than my family seems to think it

> ought to be. The first month was amazing, then it evened out, like

> I knew it would, but it sometimes rankles when the family

> replies, " You only lost a pound this week? Why? "

August 31, 2004

I agree, Vonja. I know there is a big debate about to tell or not

to tell but for me NOT telling helps me so much because otherwise I

deal with what you just described. My immediate family knows but no

one else. I get the same inquiry from my mom and sisters every time

they see or talk to me-- " so, how much have you lost? " I know people

are trying to be nice but I also think it is human nature for people

to want to take people down a peg or two and focusing on weight is a

great way to do it. When everyone seems to be watching you, you can

either feel like they are watching for you to succeed or they are

secretley hoping to see you trip.

I have asked my family not to focus on it because one of the main

reasons I got this band is so that I could finally learn how NOT to

focus on it. My obsession with my weight has been a huge part of my

problem my entire life. Its very hard for someone on the outside to

understand that. I was banded on May 21, 2004 and up until three

weeks ago I did not own a scale! I threw it out years ago. I knew

I was losing because of how my body feels and how my clothes fit. I

got the scale to track my progress and most importantly to help me

gauge when I need a fill.

I know most of us put our stats in our posts but if you notice in my

posts I never do. I don't want my fellow bandsters to construe that

as not be willing to share--it truly is an excercise in self-

discipline for me. The scale ruled my life for a very long time. I

am proud of my weight loss thus far and while my actual weight is

normally classifed and top secret (if I tell you I might have to

shoot you)I have actually said it out loud to some girlfriends

recently! Now that is progress!

We all deal with the head issues the best way we can. I say to all

of us-- filter out what people think you should be doing (why

haven't you lost more?) and focus on what works best for you.

mary

05.21.04

-21 (and damn happy about it!)

> > Hi there, Smart Bandsters!

> >

> Theyre just trying to help but.. I dont think any of them (family

or

> ccoworkers) have any idea how hard, stressful, and emotional all

this

> is... As for my family.. well.. I wont even go

> into what they say every time I put anything besides water in my

> mouth (Okay, I will. They usually start with " Hey, look.. that

> cracker/chip/piece of chicken she's eating is worth $12k! " (the

> amount I paid for my surgery), etc, etc.)

>

August 31, 2004

Tuesday, August 31, 2004, 10:11:38 AM, you wrote:

m> I know most of us put our stats in our posts but if you notice in my

m> posts I never do. I don't want my fellow bandsters to construe that

No big deal. Some do, some don't. The main reason I do it, and find

it helpful in many cases when others do, is to put their comments in

perspective. The date, the weights, and sometimes even the doctor,

help to do that for me. And that's why I'll sometimes ask if it is

relevant to help to answer a question.

m> as not be willing to share--it truly is an excercise in self-

m> discipline for me. The scale ruled my life for a very long time. I

m> am proud of my weight loss thus far and while my actual weight is

m> normally classifed and top secret (if I tell you I might have to

m> shoot you)I have actually said it out loud to some girlfriends

m> recently! Now that is progress!

Agree with all of the above. But one other thought.....most people

can guess your weight reasonably accurately when they see you. Not to

the nearest pound or two like those guys at carnivals, but they sure

know whether you weigh 200 or 300, and many would be able to know 275

vs. 300. Anyway, the only point is that the secret may not be THAT

secret.

cheers

dan

Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.mylapband.tk

Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03

323/209/199 Age 61

August 31, 2004

I think guys are much better at this Dan (guessing weights)... and

maybe people in sports or healthcare fields.

I think there are many many women out there, especially small or thin

ones, that have no idea how much people weigh. I have known small

women to think that to weigh as much as 150 is to be fat. 150 on my

almost 5'7 " frame is thin, or for my 5'10 " sister, that is dowright

skinny. Even at my smallest (around 145) I didn't reveal my weight

much for that very reason. Usually only women are very interested in

the 'numbers' anyway. And my experience is that it is usually only

the small or thin ones. Which makes me wonder why are they so

interested in my weight? Perhaps to make themselves feel better

about themselves because they weigh less? Women can be very

competetive at times, of course so can men lol. (Of course I exclude

discussions like this generated in a support group setting).

As a woman, I think you can make a very good case for keeping quiet

about your weight, thin or heavy. I do not post my weight much for

that very reason, but am happy to share it if it is pertinent in this

setting. Women in this culture are 'judged' too quickly by a number,

or a size. I don't really want to focus on nsumber but rather on am

I fit and healthy and do I look good?

If I can say yes at 150 or 160 or 170, then that's where I'll be

happy, but I will probably just keep that number (still) my little

secret. Like you say, many people can judge this, and they will be

the ones who wouldn't ask anyway....

Betty

But one other thought.....most people

> can guess your weight reasonably accurately when they see you. Not

to

> the nearest pound or two like those guys at carnivals, but they sure

> know whether you weigh 200 or 300, and many would be able to know

275

> vs. 300. Anyway, the only point is that the secret may not be THAT

> secret.

>

> cheers

>

> dan

>

> Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@g... www.mylapband.tk

> Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03

> 323/209/199 Age 61

August 31, 2004

Tuesday, August 31, 2004, 12:25:36 PM, you wrote:

l> I think guys are much better at this Dan (guessing weights)... and

l> maybe people in sports or healthcare fields.

Could be. Never thought about it that way.

l> much for that very reason. Usually only women are very interested in

l> the 'numbers' anyway. And my experience is that it is usually only

l> the small or thin ones. Which makes me wonder why are they so

l> interested in my weight? Perhaps to make themselves feel better

l> about themselves because they weigh less?

I'd say that is exactly it. Part of the competition. Who is

thinnest, who has the biggest boobs, whatever. And of course guys get

into the same stuff on body parts, muscles, how much they can lift,

etc, too.

l> As a woman, I think you can make a very good case for keeping quiet

l> about your weight, thin or heavy.

Oh, I'd never ask anyone, either gender, fat or thin, what they

weighed. Might as well ask them their bra size, how good their sex

life is, or whatever else. Just not something I can imagine doing.

Although I'm one who would answer any of those questions, I'd NEVER

think of asking them.

l> I do not post my weight much for

l> that very reason, but am happy to share it if it is pertinent in this

l> setting. Women in this culture are 'judged' too quickly by a number,

l> or a size. I don't really want to focus on nsumber but rather on am

l> I fit and healthy and do I look good?

Understand all that. I guess I think the group here, particularly

since most of us have never met in person, or even seen pictures of

each other, is a bit different, but that's fine. Again, I've only

ever asked those questions when I thought they were relevant to

someone's issues, and then ONLY in a group support setting.

l> If I can say yes at 150 or 160 or 170, then that's where I'll be

l> happy, but I will probably just keep that number (still) my little

l> secret. Like you say, many people can judge this, and they will be

l> the ones who wouldn't ask anyway....

Wherever you end up will indeed be wonderful...and you're already

doing great.

Sorry if any of my comments felt like a hassle, as they sure weren't

meant that way.

dan

Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.mylapband.tk

Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03

323/209/199 Age 61

August 31, 2004

Oh, Dan, no no no.... I didn't think anything was at *all* wrong with

any of your comments... I was just discussing the topic :-) Sorry if

you felt like I was taking you to task. I just thought it was an

interesting topic, and was putting my 2 cents in....

I remember getting the shock of my life when a teenage football

player guessed my weight within 3 lbs, when I was about 16. None of

the teenage girls (i think anyway) had a clue as to what I weighed,

lol. But their average weight was about 100 - 110.

I really am trying to make a point for us women, that there may still

be reasons depending on time and place that we still don't 'wear the

number on our sleeve' so to speak. I don't know if men have the same

issues with this or not..... but as you say other things get judged

as well.

I think I don't post my number regularly *because* of my own 'mental

conditioning' growing up that anything over about 120 was fat! This

is what growing up as an adolescent girl in America can do to you

lol. I don't know if I'll ever shake it, but that's ok too.

Betty

(-76)

274/198/175 (original goal. new goal is 150)

>

> Sorry if any of my comments felt like a hassle, as they sure weren't

> meant that way.

>

> dan

>

> Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@g... www.mylapband.tk

> Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03

> 323/209/199 Age 61

August 31, 2004

Hi , I'm finding people I told are questioning me regarding how

much I've lost too. I just smile and lift my shirt and let them see my

baggy pants and tell them;-D They want to know how long it'll take and

I tell them when I get there;-) I also let them know it is perfectly

normal to loose 1 or 2 pounds per week so it'll take me a while to get

to goal. There is 1 friend (she weighs 300 lbs) that is angry and

upset with me and doesn't like being around me now. I suspect it's

because our mutual friend always praises me for my efforts in front of

her, she's thin as well. I can't help how people think or act, all I

can do is deal with my own self...neither can you . Just try to

be patient with them and teach them as you go along. Let them know

this weight took some time to put on and it'll take so me time to take

off. You're doing great so keep doing what you're doing and it'll come

off.

Kem in Eugene

286/269/150

Dr. Neal 8.6.04

<º)))><

<< Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 05:15:22 -0000

From: " snowlynx20 " <snowlynx20@...>

Subject: Making progress

Hi there, Smart Bandsters!

I'm kind of looking for some reassurance here, I guess. I was

banded on 2/6/04, and I feel really good about the progress I've

made, even if it's a little slower than my family seems to think it

ought to be. The first month was amazing, then it evened out, like

I knew it would, but it sometimes rankles when the family

replies, " You only lost a pound this week? Why? " My two-weeks on

liquid after my band was placed let me lose 25 lbs. Now, almost 7

months after placement, I'm down 62 pounds total. I've still got a

LONG, long way to go, but I do feel like I'm making progress. At

the beginning of the year, I weighed 384. I don't know what I

weighed at surgery 5 weeks later, because the scale they had didn't

go high enough to weigh me! How much more embarrassing could THAT

be?? Now I'm down to 322. I'm hoping to be down to 295 or less by

the time this year is over. (Don't want to say " new year's " and jinx

it, like all my resolutions!)

Cheers!

384/322/160~ I hope...>>

August 31, 2004

Tuesday, August 31, 2004, 2:13:23 PM, you wrote:

KT> There is 1 friend (she weighs 300 lbs) that is angry and

KT> upset with me and doesn't like being around me now. I suspect it's

KT> because our mutual friend always praises me for my efforts in front of

KT> her, she's thin as well. I can't help how people think or act, all I

KT> can do is deal with my own self...neither can you .

Maybe this friend will come around and even decide she wants a band

too. Or you may lose the friendship. I think many of us have had

friends that are " eating buddies " and when we change that behavior, we

lose those " friends " . Real friends have more interest in us than just

the eating. I had the same issues come up when I quit drinking 14.5

years ago. Some of those " drinking buddies " were just guys to hang

around in bars with, and we didn't really have much else in common.

But of course I hope this is a real friend and she'll come around.

Changes are always tough on all relationships.

dan

Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.mylapband.tk

Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03

323/209/199 Age 61

August 31, 2004

> Have you got a recent fill? Sometimes that mihgt increase your

> weight loss. However, if your still losing enen 1 lb a week,

then

> perhaps the fill might not be the best idea. It might cause you

> reflux instead.

>

Do you know, I've not yet had a single fill? I've had no problems,

and hadn't even had any pb'ing until the other day when my " Aunt

Flo " came to visit with a vengeance. (sorry, guys...) I've called

a couple times to get a referral for here in Indiana from the place

I got my surgery, and they've yet to get back to me, but truly, I

haven't had any problems at all. I've hit a couple plateaus, but

I've noticed that during those plateaus, while I'm not losing

pounds, I do seem to be losing inches. Is that normal? Should I

see a doctor, even if I'm not having any problems? I don't have any

health insurance right now, so I'm inclined to just not go until I

have a problem, or feel like I'm going to have a problem. Is that a

good way to be?

Cheers,

September 1, 2004

IF you don't have any health insurance right now, I'd wait on

getting the fill. You don't want to run a risk of it getting to

tight on you and needing urgent medical care.

Regarding losing inches and not pounds- that's normal. I've done

that just a few weeks ago.

>

> Do you know, I've not yet had a single fill? I've had no Should

I

> see a doctor, even if I'm not having any problems? I don't have

any

> health insurance right now, so I'm inclined to just not go until I

> have a problem, or feel like I'm going to have a problem. Is that

a

> good way to be?

>

> Cheers,

>

August 12, 2009

Just wanted to let you know that after my May appointment, my surgeon has asked

for a CT-Scan to be done, and I finally got that appointment news today. It is

for Sept. 24 and I see the surgeon right after the CT-Scan, to decide what

course to take.

I finally got my medical reports from my 2006 appointments and the one in May.

Even though I was not impressed with the previous surgeon (because of his own

personal definition of Flatback, which reduced my confidence in him), he did do

an excellent report and I was surprised that I was only fused down to L2, where

I thought it was L3. I now understand why my present surgeon said that I only

had partial Flatback. But my pain level has increased and I'm now experiencing

pain in my feet making it difficult to walk. I have to walk on the outside of

the foot, which is less painful. I even got a wheelchair for those days that are

especially bad, which are thankfully few and far between. I make sure that I

rest lots between the days that I have to be really active for my mother and

brother.

So send me your good thoughts for Sept. 24, and I will let you know how things

go.

Llweyn

August 12, 2009

Llweyn,

Progress! I hope that this appt yeilds results with real answers. I know how

discouraged you are at times that you haven been able to pin point the problem

and find a surgeon who you feel compatible with...never mind your taxing family

situation. I hope this is it.

Will put you on the calendar and double cross my fingers and legs!

Take Care, Cam

August 14, 2009

........sending good thoughts your way........

Hi,

I wish the best for you.

Is it possible you have arthritic feet on top of the other foot problems? I ask because along with with the pain from nerve damage which really bothers my feet, I found out I had arthritis on top of that. It's rough for you, I am sorry to hear that; I use a cane, a walker when I am super unsteady an a chair when it gets worse. Are you OK self esteem wise?

I hope all will be well.

Peace,

Robin

On Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 10:15 PM, Llweyn <mad.monk@...> wrote:

Just wanted to let you know that after my May appointment, my surgeon has asked for a CT-Scan to be done, and I finally got that appointment news today. It is for Sept. 24 and I see the surgeon right after the CT-Scan, to decide what course to take.

I finally got my medical reports from my 2006 appointments and the one in May. Even though I was not impressed with the previous surgeon (because of his own personal definition of Flatback, which reduced my confidence in him), he did do an excellent report and I was surprised that I was only fused down to L2, where I thought it was L3. I now understand why my present surgeon said that I only had partial Flatback. But my pain level has increased and I'm now experiencing pain in my feet making it difficult to walk. I have to walk on the outside of the foot, which is less painful. I even got a wheelchair for those days that are especially bad, which are thankfully few and far between. I make sure that I rest lots between the days that I have to be really active for my mother and brother.

So send me your good thoughts for Sept. 24, and I will let you know how things go.Llweyn

-- Live the life you have imagined!HD ThoreauThings do not change. We change. HD ThoreauThere is life after PTSD!!! Life is what you make of it!Waneeshee.......may the way be beautiful for you

August 14, 2009

Wow, Llweyn, I can't wait for Sept. 24th to come! You have been with this so

long. Congratulations on your persistence and patience.

I can certainly empathize with pain in the feet. Do you have any idea what is

causing yours?

Best,

>

> Just wanted to let you know that after my May appointment, my surgeon has

asked for a CT-Scan to be done, and I finally got that appointment news today.

It is for Sept. 24 and I see the surgeon right after the CT-Scan, to decide what

course to take.

>

> I finally got my medical reports from my 2006 appointments and the one in May.