Forums:
I have had 3 c-sections and I am considering getting the excess skin removed that will not come off with exercise and weight loss. I know this should be the last thing on my mind right now, but I am just curious. Does anyone know Matia's stance on plastic surgery, in treatment and out?
pain meds
I know there are pain meds involved, so I would not be able to do it during treatment with Matia, but what I am more concerned with is if it could bring my IC back if I did it after I was out of treatment and feeling better in a few years.
I'm curious about this too.
I'm curious about this too. No replies thus far so maybe let's bring up at the next mtg.
plastic surgery
I am just speculating here and do not know what Matia would say but I am guessing it may all depend on how severe the procedure might be and what sort of medications might be involved in that as well. I know that sometimes with any kind of invasive surgery they may have you take antibiotics afterwards and I imagine the anestesia could be a potential concern? I just can't say for sure - maybe a topical anesthesia would be less intense? I read somewhere that they sometimes use lasers to tighten up the loose skin? am I thinking of thermography? I thought maybe she was down with the lasers cause of their potential to incite inflammation. I am interested because I wonder any of us ever needed any like minor surgery is there an antibiotic alternative that she could prescribe in place of the ones the doctors give to protect from infection? I am wondering what her thoughts on her patients who have recovered and are doing well receiving tatoos- ( another kind of body modifiication ) and how that went for them. I sometimes struggle with the concept of what we can and can't do post treatment. Are we always going to sit on the edge of danger in falling ill again with the least trigger when others who are less healthy seem to take on risky things with no effects? I think it comes down to individual cases and a little of maybe "choose you own battles wisely." I know Botox is not at all what you are asking about but Irecall hearing from her in a post on her blog that treatment has made former well patients sick with symptoms again. any kind of surgery is pretty rough on the body and I think to have our immune systems rock solid strong would be super crucial number one foundation. The thought of losing what I have worked so hard for scares the crud out of me! wishing wellness and peace for all in 2010. Mary
plastic surgery
okay, i may be way off here, but i remember matia posting something about topics like this, and that if it impacts you negatively emotionally it may be the right choice to go for it rather than feeling miserable about yourself. I think, once again, it is different for every person/case of IC. If you are well and it is important to you to have plastic surgery then I'm sure you could work with Matia to get through possible effects of medications, recovery and all that. I believe well being is as much mental as it is physical, so if it's something that will improve your quality of life, then I'm sure there's a way to make it happen. I personally sorta relate to this because I've always been uncomfortable with the size of my chest and wanted a reduction since I was 17. Even though I'm not HUGE, I just hate it for some reason. maybe it's because i was a runner...anyways... I didn't do it because I want kids and want to breastfeed, but I still consider it a possibility after kids. It's not good to dislike a part of yourself in such a way that it brings negativity to your life. I would love to hear what Matia has to say about things like this after treatment... Like Mary mentioned, I also want to know about tattoos, because I have created my own as a symbol of strength, struggle, etc. through dealing with IC, but I know those inks can be toxic, so it would be totally counterproductive to get a symbol like that permanently inked only to get symptoms again! After treatment always gets to me a bit, like how sensitive are we? what can and can't we do? I was very adventurous pre-IC and now that i'm so much better those urges to just go out and travel the world, etc. are coming back, but I don't want to ever risk getting sick again. I would love peace of mind...I think that ends up being one of the greatest challenges once you've suffered through this. Perhaps we can get Matia's take and create some kind of list with big no-no's and suggestions on how to live your life to the fullest without having to feel anxiety about IC? I would love to just see something written so we don't all have to wonder about these topics...
hair transplants
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Honeybee & wcorisa,
Thanks for bringing up these other good questions...
Yes, a comprehensive list for after-treatment with "probably ok" / "maybe" / "definitely no" (of course keeping in mind we're all different) is really what we need! A while back I asked her for it on her blog & she briefly wrote back (see her response below), but there are so many other things out there that weren't addressed, i.e. different kinds of laser/light treatment, tattoos, alternatives to after-surgery preventative antibio's, etc. etc. (For what it's worth, when I had two pre-skin cancers excised, it was minor surgery w/ injected local anesthetic and I was terrified of bladder pain afterwards but Matia said it was a small amount and should be ok, and she was right.)
If we present her w/ a list so she just needs to say yes/maybe/no, that may be the easiest way for her & best way for us to get more concrete & comprehensive answers. I'm happy to work w/ someone on finally getting a list together.
Matia's response in July: Basically, I think it depends on the person BUT, there are certain things that just are not a good idea in my opinion. For example, botox is a TOXIN-I think it is never a good idea. Whereas, I have had people get breast enhancements, and, perhaps this isnt a good idea either, but, I think, if done with saline bags, may be just fine. A nose job for example-OK there are anesthetics involved and antibiotics, but, this is recoverable--and, if the pros outweigh the cons, for example, the person is plagued by feeling badly about herself, then perhaps it is very worth it. But the timing has to be right-so that the person can go through the procedure well. I have also seen people get many kinds of laser and it not be good, but perhaps there are times that it is fine. Just remember-think about it, research it, and please talk to me about it too, bc maybe I will have experience with what you are considering to shed a little extra perspective on the situation.
list
I would love to get a list going. I Really want to know about: A tummy tuck.
Vein treatment
I have really bad vein problems. My freind had a procedure done were the vericose & spider veins were removed with a laser by a cardiologist. Her insurance paid for it. I would love to find out if this would be a possibility after treatment. My parents have had terrible leg problems. Maybe someone could email a list to Matia. I am sure she would appreciate a good blog idea.
Ok, Keep posting all - I'm compiling what you write
Ok, Keep posting all - I'm compiling what you write
travel meds
Hey all, I don't know if this really fits into the "list" but I keep wondering about staying healthy traveling to foreign countries. i.e. they recommend malaria meds in certain areas, which can actually end up being a form of antibiotic you take every day! I also know they suggest certain vaccinations because right when I got sick I was about to go to India and got a bunch of them (which I think set off my IC). Does anyone know protocol once well for travel? What about water after treatment?? (this also falls into travel.. as far as attempting to go to remote areas). This stuff isn't inline with surgeries and tattoos, but figure it does fit in with what's possible after treatment.What about pools? Not that I want to often, but can we take a dip every once in a blue moon? oohh and I think baking soda is a really good teeth whitener, so there might be alternatives to that one.
We have talked about pools
We have talked about pools before and I know her stans leads more on the No if you can avoid it. There are lots of alternitives to chorine now and people are using them more.I wonder if Bromine is the same history as Chorine. There are many options out there besides using chlorine.
teeth
How about teeth whitening after treatment? You can add that one.
laser hair removal
I know Matia is not a big fan of laser hair removal in treatment. I wonder how risky itis after treatent. My sister just got it done and is loving her less hairy body LOL.