Posts by shadownomad43

Here I am again, checking in with some fresh updates...
So, today marks exactly four weeks since my surgery—day 28 on the clock.
My routine has been pretty relentless: morning and evening exfoliation with baking soda, massaging with honey while soaking in the tub, followed by applications of lemon juice and an onion-garlic paste (though I’ve been a bit lax with the carrot juice lately). For the "final" step, I’ve been combining Esi Aloe Vera gel with a rotating selection of ointments—whatever happens to be within arm's reach—including Gavez ointment, castor oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and calendula salve. I also occasionally use honey as a mask. So far, here is what I have achieved:

http://i65.tinypic.com/642r8n.jpg

The photo was taken this morning.

I happened to pass by a pharmacy this morning and picked up some St. John's Wort oil (Subanovo) and Cybele Scagel, which I immediately added to my massage regimen as soon as I got home.

Now, after 28 days of dedicated massage and exfoliation, here is my take...

1. Baking Soda — I am NOT giving up on the exfoliation. It cleanses the skin perfectly and preps it for everything else. One thing to note, though: there are different types of baking soda with varying grain sizes. The kind I grabbed at Bio-bio is much finer than the stuff you find at Walgreens. Both work fine for me, but everyone’s skin is different, so choose what suits you. Also, don't panic if a little watery bump appears during the scrub; it's just a normal reaction and clears up quickly. For context, I’ve used baking soda to exfoliate my entire body—including my face once a week—for years, and at 51, my skin is perfect and wrinkle-free. So... 🙂

2. HONEY — This has been a total game-changer for me. I always massage it in while in the bath (to avoid getting too sticky) right after the baking soda scrub. Sometimes I'll apply it directly to the scar during the day and let it sit, being careful not to let it drip everywhere. Usually, I do this while sipping coffee. Naturally, I'm naked at the time... 😁 and I'll occasionally dab the honey onto the scar with my finger. I end up licking my finger, of course. 🙂 Don't worry about it being messy; it washes off easily. As far as the scar goes, it fades it quite rapidly—almost before your eyes. I’ve tried applying a thick layer, covering it with a paper towel, wrapping myself in plastic wrap, and sleeping through the night; the results were incredible. However, I have to admit, it isn't exactly practical or comfortable. Even when I wrap my whole midsection tightly in plastic, the honey somehow finds a way to leak out. It’s not a disaster since it all washes off, but sleeping like that isn't my idea of fun, so I usually stick to letting it dry on the scar while I enjoy my morning coffee...

3. Gavez Ointment — This deserves a permanent spot in my home medicine cabinet. Not only does it help the scar (softening it significantly), but it actually relieved the long-standing, painful arthritic bumps on my knuckles. All I did was massage the Gavez ointment into my palms while focusing on the scar on my abdomen. Those bumps and the pain simply vanished. Once I saw that happen, I started applying it to my hip where I was diagnosed with a labrum tear, and honestly, I can't believe the hip pain is gone too. I still watch my step, but mostly out of habit rather than necessity.

4. Lemon Juice — It’s great for lightening the scar. I highly recommend it.

5. Everything else I mentioned — I suspect everything in this list offers some level of benefit, so don't be afraid to experiment. Combine all these "potions," but above all, stay persistent and stubborn.

All in all, this photo shows the result of effective massage using these creams for at least 3 hours every single day. Without fail.

Anyway, that's all from me for today... Best wishes to everyone...

placidtinker39 said:Mixing St. John's Wort oil with Gavez works wonders...

Well, yeah... I neglected to mention that I also massage in some calendula and Gavez ointment. To be honest, the Gavez stuff has this scent reminiscent of horse manure that I’m not particularly fond of, but during those first few days, when paired with castor oil, it proved to be quite effective in my experience.

Andrew Peterson2 said:So, what exactly is their process for leveling things out????

Well... I don't know. I was asleep, so I missed that part... 😁
You’d probably have to ask a plastic surgeon about that.

Based on what my discharge papers tell me, the way I see it, wounds are stitched in layers. On top of the technical knowledge required, it’s clearly a matter of surgical skill and an eye for aesthetics—that certain "feel" in the fingers holding the scalpel, all built through years of practice and experience.

In any case, if you want to be at the top of the game when it comes to patching people up, you have to be number one: naturally gifted, and then spend your entire life refining that gift through constant study and hard work.

But hey, unfortunately, not everyone is cut out for everything...
...especially here in our beautiful country...
...where you see mechanics trying to touch up car paint jobs...
...and doctors working as janitors...
...while the highly trained and talented are stuck looking for work at the unemployment office...

The first thing that popped into my head when I woke up from anesthesia back in 2011 and saw my scar was wondering why the guy who patched me up didn't just wake me up so I could do it myself... 🤔
Since I consider myself quite the expert at needlework, 🙂 I’m fairly certain I could have smoothed over my own skin better than he did. ☕

For those curious about how I manage this scar of mine, here is my routine:

1. An essential morning shower involving an energetic exfoliation with baking soda. Just be careful not to cause abrasions. Don't go too rough; keep it gentle. I find it works best if I just use my palms, without any washcloths, cotton pads, or sponges. That’s been the most effective method for me.
2. After the shower, massage in some aloe vera until it’s fully absorbed.
3. Next comes massaging in carrot juice. Sometimes I grate it to get the juice, and other times I just peel a carrot and massage it directly against the skin. BTW, you can eat the carrot afterward. 🙂 You can never have too much Vitamin A... it makes for a great breakfast. 😁
4. To prevent the carrot from staining my clothes, I follow up with a bit of castor oil.

Throughout the day, I massage in lemon juice followed by coconut oil a few times. I use the pad of my thumb. I do it with one hand until it starts to ache, then switch to the other. In every direction imaginable: vertical, horizontal, diagonal, circular...

In the afternoon, I apply a paste made in a food processor from a red onion bulb and 5-6 large cloves of garlic. I let the scar soak up the moisture, rinse off the residue, and then massage in some cocoa butter to neutralize any lingering scents—plus, it’s fantastic for scars.

In the evening, it’s another shower, more baking soda exfoliation, a honey massage (BTW, I finally managed to track some down), and then more castor oil. I would use St. John's Wort oil too, but I haven't been able to find the specific kind I want yet.

Of course, you can also take the honey, coconut oil, cocoa butter, or castor oil and wrap them around the scar as a compress overnight.

So... that's my process, and it definitely works.

Oh, right... I forgot to mention that I also snack heavily on almonds and Kikos (the ones packed with Vitamin E).🙂

And yes...
I hope you’ve gathered from my previous points that CONSISTENT massage is absolutely the most critical factor here. So, there it is... If anyone actually wants to get rid of a scar, they’ll need to be incredibly persistent and stubborn about it. It's a long game.

I managed to carve out a little bit of time this Sunday morning to share some recent updates with you all, mostly because I am feeling genuinely thrilled with how my post-op recovery is progressing. It felt almost wrong to keep this level of enthusiasm to myself rather than sharing it with the community... 🎉
So, I dropped by to see my favorite plastic surgeon this past Friday. Dr. Smith.
While I was there, I received my discharge papers, and I have to admit, I was quite taken aback when I read that during the procedure—specifically while making the incision down to the hernia sac—he actually spotted a defect in it. In other words, it seems last year's ventral hernia repair wasn't exactly performed with the highest level of precision...
By utilizing the existing scar tissue, my surgeon was able to perform a correction at the same time. And, naturally, thanks to his quick thinking, the issues that forced me back under the knife in the first place have been completely resolved.
In short, he didn't just significantly improve the appearance of my midsection; he also fixed a nasty underlying issue that could have spiraled into something much more serious over time.
As for the healing of the surgical wound itself, I am honestly stunned by my own body's capacity for regeneration.
Now, if you're wondering why...
I believe three main factors played a role here:
1. Having a highly skilled and capable surgeon at the helm.
2. Treating the surgical site properly from day one (consistent hygiene and disinfection).
3. Diligent daily care (everything mentioned above, plus regular massage and using natural remedies).

Finally, here is a photo of the scar taken ten days after the surgery, which was just last night. If things continue to heal at this rate, it will likely be virtually invisible within five or six months.

http://i63.tinypic.com/taq79h.jpg

shadowharbor said:Maria Fowler15 - Well, a fasting blood glucose of 4.4 mmol/L and zero in the urine is...

Andrew Peterson2 - That’s a solid thought, though from what I’ve gathered, everyone seems to be starving themselves yet somehow gaining fifteen pounds while being unable to shed a single ounce, so clearly that isn't the magic fix.🤷

shadownomad43 - Since I failed the hemoglobin screening before my last blood donation, I’ve already convinced myself it’s definitely that—that my gut just can't absorb anything, not even iron. I figured maybe the stress levels have spiked so much that the excess stomach acid is actually damaging my small intestine lining. But then, two days after getting my blood work done, my hemoglobin and red blood cell counts came back perfect—even the UIBC and TIBC levels were great—so there clearly isn't an issue with transport or absorption. I don't have diarrhea, and my gut doesn't really ache. It only gets critical during my period, when my body basically stops listening to reason altogether.😵
I’d rule out a serious infection too, since my white blood cell count is totally fine.
Probiotics and vitamins are definitely worth a shot.👍

When I read Maria Fowler15's comment, I honestly just let out this massive sigh... That stuff made things so much worse for me. But hey, don't take my word for it. I’ve always had a bit of a deep-seated aversion to Big Pharma, nutritionists, and physical therapists alike.
Listen, honey, just lean heavily into probiotics and eat whatever your body is actually craving. Keep it diverse, fresh, properly cooked... just don't go overboard. And don't forget the old rule: walk a thousand steps after every meal. I don't know how old you are, but if you're still in your younger years, your metabolism is probably running at full throttle.
Just thinking back to how much I used to consume in my twenties... I was thin as a rail, and people used to stare because I looked so scrawny.
Here’s a little comparison for you: I used to be active from 6 AM to 2 PM... On my way to work, there was this local deli... Every single day, without fail, I’d wait for a massive sandwich. Then I’d get to the office smelling like an onion factory and practically counting the minutes until the cafeteria served hot lunches. I’d inhale a full portion by 10 AM. By noon, I was inevitably darting over to the convenience store for a sub—heavy on the deli ham and cheese, plus a jar of pickles. I could barely make it home to cook dinner because I’d be famished by 3 PM. In the afternoon, I’d polish off a pound of fruit like it was nothing, followed by a mountain of pastries before a heavy dinner. Snacks were a given. And all that, and I only weighed about 120 pounds at 5'8"!
If I tried to cram those kinds of portions into me today, I’d probably spontaneously combust.

It seems like digestive issues can stem from just about anything... It isn't always just stress; you could be looking at the aftermath of a round of antibiotics, various medications, a weakened immune system, or honestly, a whole laundry list of other factors.
If you haven't already, you might want to try incorporating probiotics into your diet. These days, they are everywhere. You have everything from standard yogurt and kefir to fermented foods like sauerkraut, or even the high-potency stuff you pick up at a CVS. Personally, I tend to lean toward the capsule versions, mainly because they’re designed to shield those "good" bacteria from being neutralized by stomach acid. They aren't going to cause any harm, but they can really help bolster your immune system and support your gut health, acting as a bit of a preventative measure against future infections.
You could also look into getting a vitamin boost through plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables... Or, if you're feeling a bit lazy 😁, you can always grab some pre-made multivitamins, since there's an endless variety available at any local grocery store.

melloworca6 said:Is it actually normal to just slap one of those clear, waterproof bandages over a wound and stitches without any gauze underneath? And am I really supposed to wait until it starts peeling off on its own before changing it?

This feels insane to me. Either my skin and the wound can't breathe under there, or if there's even a tiny bit of blood, it just sits trapped under the patch—which seems like a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Plus, the tape sticks to the sutures, so every time I move, the bandage pulls on the stitches and threatens to rip the wound open. These are the actual instructions from my doctor, so I’m wondering who’s the crazy one here. I know back in the day, they used to use waterproof dressings with gauze underneath and you'd change them whenever they got soaked with blood.

Even using a basic Band-Aid on a wound like that sounds questionable... 🤔 ...to put it mildly.
Could we be talking about those specialized silicone sheets instead?
If that's the case, they're actually quite effective for helping everything heal properly.

Greetings to everyone...
Alright, I’ve gathered some more "material" to add a little extra flavor to this discussion.
So, here’s how things stand...
Back in 2011, I was rushed straight into the operating room by emergency responders. An ulcer in my duodenum had perforated, making things quite critical. To fix it, the surgeons made a midline incision right down the center of my abdomen, passing through the navel, stretching about 8 inches long. Unfortunately, given how much of a mess my health situation was at the time—which only got more complicated as things unfolded—I didn't think to snap any photos of that "masterpiece," so I don't have any visual evidence to show for it now. While I hold nothing but the deepest respect for the surgeons who quite literally saved my life, looking at the way they patched me back up afterward, it’s an undeniable fact that they possess absolutely no sense of aesthetics. To put it mildly.
Four years down the line—after a dedicated routine of daily massages and experimenting with various topical treatments—that surgical incision still sits there, measuring a solid two centimeters wide at its thickest point. And if you factor in the surrounding scarring from the sutures themselves, the whole thing stretches out to a good five centimeters...!!!
And then, the inevitable happened—my post-op ventral hernia decided to "leak" through. For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t claim to be an expert on hernias, but from what I gather, there are about five different types, and this particular one seems to be the most stubborn and difficult one to fix.
And just like that, I found myself back under the surgeon's knife.
During that procedure, they made the same incision, starting from the navel and running upward, measuring about four inches in length.
If you want to see exactly how the repair turned out, this link really says it all better than I ever could:
Just a quick heads-up: I should probably mention that the photo might be a bit much for some people. If you have a weak stomach or don't do well with graphic images, you might want to skip this one...

[Image Link]

As time passes, everything seems to have healed over, but...
I’m left with this sort of "trench" right in the middle of my abdomen—if I had to eyeball it, it sits about three-quarters of an inch below the skin's surface. As for how the scar actually looks, I think the visual aesthetics speak for themselves.
Since I’m a hopeless optimist by nature, I’ve actually gone ahead and nicknamed my own little scar the "Grand Canyon."

Maybe I wouldn't be so incredibly bothered by how I look if it weren't for the practical headaches this causes. Honestly, if I were to eat nothing more than a single cookie, my stomach would bloat so aggressively you'd think I was about to go into labor. On top of that, I’ve been dealing with several other health issues lately that I can now logically trace back to some pretty amateurish, poorly executed stitching on my surgical wound. But we can save those specific grievances for another time.

And there it is...
The day finally arrived when, faced with a mounting pile of side effects and physical discomfort, I started giving some serious thought to booking a consultation with a plastic surgeon.
I toured a few different facilities, but in the end—given that I'm considered a high-risk patient due to some other health issues—I decided to have the procedure done at a top-tier clinic in Chicago, fully covered by Medicare.

I’ve finally settled on one particular top-tier plastic surgeon that I’d love to give a shout-out to here, though I’m a bit unsure about the rules regarding self-promotion or referrals. If anyone is looking for a recommendation and wants to know who they are, just shoot me a private message. It would be my genuine pleasure to pass along his details.

He’s a man of few words, but he certainly gets things done. After examining my scar, he decided a revision was necessary and immediately offered me an appointment—for just one month from now, no less! Naturally, I jumped at the chance.
I finished up all my pre-op testing, showed up at the hospital right when I was scheduled, and honestly, the staff handled everything with such precision that I’d go so far as to say it was seamless.

To put it simply, he managed to smooth out the entire old scar. Based on what he told me, it was quite wide, but he did an incredible job rehabilitating my "Grand Canyon," leaving me with a perfectly normal "floor plan" on my stomach once again. There aren't any hills or valleys anymore; everything is just nice and flat now.
The incision is exactly seven days old now, and this is how it looks:
(Just a quick heads-up for anyone scrolling by: you might want to look away if you're easily unsettled by certain imagery...)

I can't quite make out what's happening in this image—it looks like the link might be broken or the file isn't loading properly on my end. If you were trying to show me something specific, could you try uploading it again?

I really regret only telling my plastic surgeon that I wanted a flat stomach before the surgery. I completely failed to mention that I also wanted him to address those unsightly scar remnants from my old incisions; though, looking back, I wonder if there would have even been enough skin left to work with for something like that.

The bottom line...
I’m honestly thrilled with how everything turned out. Even though the area is still quite fresh, I feel like the issues I was dealing with before the procedure have completely vanished. Because of that, I'm not even losing sleep over the fact that the scarring has started to hypertrophy slightly in a few spots. At the end of the day, my main priority was achieving a flat stomach, and that's exactly what happened. It's actually quite a relief to see that even the remnants of my old surgical scars look about half their original length now.
The incision was closed up using surgical strips on the outside and some thin surgical adhesive on the inside. It’s healing quite beautifully so far, and I’m optimistic that the final aesthetic will be much more subtle than what I was dealing with before.
As soon as I was discharged from the hospital, I went on a bit of a shopping spree for supplies—stocking up on aloe vera, calendula ointment, Gavezov ointment, castor oil, baking soda, cocoa butter, coconut oil, Vitamin E, and honestly, probably a few other things too...
I have an appointment tomorrow to get my stitches removed, so I plan to ask the doctor if there are any additional cosmetic procedures to "touch up" the area... if not right away, then perhaps in a few months.
Once those stitches are out, I’ll really start my regimen, using baking soda peels alongside thick layers of all those ointments I mentioned...
I suppose I'll have to wait a full year to see what the ultimate result looks like, and I'll be sure to update you all then.
In the meantime, to my fellow travelers on this journey through scar tissue: I truly hope you all find relief and see these marks fade as quickly as possible.

P.S. Oh, one more thing... For anyone searching for the perfect scar treatment, I highly recommend applying a thick layer of natural honey, covering it with sterile gauze, wrapping it securely, and letting it work its magic overnight. Repeat this whenever you can. I'm actually on the hunt for high-quality, pure natural honey right now, so if anyone knows where to find the good stuff, please let me know.

Douglas Wood6 said:Does anyone know if I can just pick up some Steri-Strips at a local pharmacy?

Sent from my Galaxy A51 using Reddit

Reddit probably means Steri-Strip, those little surgical adhesive strips...

I’m actually going through the whole post-op struggle myself right now, dealing with a surgical wound and hunting down exactly these, so I can tell you from experience that if you head to a local CVS or Walgreens, they almost exclusively carry the narrow 6 mm ones.

What I really needed were the wider 12 mm versions, and I couldn't find them anywhere except online through Medtronic; I just paid with my credit card yesterday and they already arrived today.
The thin ones come in packs of two sheets with 6 strips each—about 4 inches long—while the wider ones come in two sheets of 6, so if you're planning on picking some up, you might want to grab extra depending on how large your incision is. One pack of the wide ones is $3.00 before tax on that site. Honestly, I haven't seen them anywhere else.

Christian Wood2 said:I’m looking for some professional advice on how to best prepare for an upcoming surgery—specifically a two-hour procedure to correct my nasal septum and nasal pyramid (though this applies to any surgery, really).
Basically, I want to know what foods are best to focus on, and which ones to steer clear of, during the week leading up to the operation.
Also, what should be the priority for meals and hydration the day before, and specifically, what should be my very last meal on the evening preceding the surgery?
Furthermore, what would you recommend taking to help with calming nerves and getting some sleep the night before?
And finally, how can I manage the anxiety, fear, and elevated heart rate in those critical one to two hours right before the procedure begins?

In my experience, preparation protocols have varied quite a bit; there was one instance where they had me on a strict fast the entire day before surgery—not even a drop of water or a crumb of bread allowed. In another case, despite being told to fast, I ended up having a fairly heavy meal the evening before, though for this most recent one, surprisingly, I was allowed to eat normally until the actual day of the surgery, when everything—both food and drink—had to stop completely. As for calming my nerves, I didn't take anything specific, but I suspect if you were to ask the staff at the hospital, they might offer you something... perhaps something like Xanax...

velvetcobra6 said:I have a question for anyone who has undergone surgery, or better yet, for an anesthesiologist.
I’m scheduled for gallbladder removal soon. I've completed all the necessary tests, including the anesthesia clearance.
One thing isn't quite clicking, though. I'm supposed to check into the hospital on the morning of the procedure, but the anesthesiologist noted that I need to receive a Clexane injection the evening before. My primary care physician doesn't carry it and mentioned they don't even have the means to source it.
How am I supposed to manage getting this medication?

I might be a bit late to the conversation, but in my experience, you typically head into the hospital ward the evening before to get the Clexane, unless your surgeon or anesthesiologist has arranged a different plan... at least, that was how it worked for me.

Well, I figured I’d share a few thoughtful observations, given that I actually have some lived experience to draw from...
Basically, I was discharged from the hospital this past Friday following my twelfth surgery. Out of those twelve, ten were performed under general anesthesia.
So, here is how it goes...
I’ve learned one vital little lesson: the experience of general anesthesia varies drastically depending on which hospital you are in and, perhaps more importantly, which anesthesiologist is on duty.

During my first six anesthesias, everything went perfectly smoothly. No side effects, no complications, though those procedures happened quite a while ago—somewhere between 1970 and 1996—and since all my pre-op testing was done right at the hospital after being admitted, I don't truly remember the specifics of what they actually did to me during those sessions.

For surgery number seven, I was rushed straight to the operating table via the ER. The anesthesiologist on call that day was clearly a master of her craft; based on nothing more than a few brief mentions of my medical history and without any formal pre-op workup, she whipped up a perfect cocktail. I woke up from that anesthesia feeling as if I had just woken from a dream, completely free of any lingering issues or side effects. I can't praise her enough.

Then came surgeries eight and nine. These were scheduled in advance with the surgeon, and I completed all my pre-op screenings before arriving at the hospital. I also sat down for a consultation with the anesthesiologist beforehand, but apparently, that made no difference at all, because those experiences were pure nightmare fuel. Waking up to intense nausea, vomiting, and total physical exhaustion... it was honestly a horror show.

As for surgery number ten, that took place just a few days ago, specifically on November 30, 2016, again as a pre-arranged appointment with my surgeon. I went through all the standard pre-op checks and spoke with the anesthesiologist upon admission. Given my previous bad experiences, my knees were shaking a little, but it turned out to be unnecessary anxiety because, much to my astonishment, the anesthesia was absolutely wonderful. It was genuinely as if I had simply drifted out of a beautiful dream. I didn't deal with any of those postoperative issues like nausea or vomiting. I am truly, positively surprised by how well I handled it this time.

To summarize...
I am certainly no medical professional, so I don't know the exact "cocktails" these anesthesiologists mix to put patients to sleep, but it is abundantly clear that the RATIO of the substances used is incredibly critical.
You have certain anesthesiologists who likely don't believe in holding back, mixing up a concoction strong enough to drop an ox, and then you have those who pay close attention to the patient's overall condition—considering the basics like weight, height, and so on—and tailor a formula that is, quite literally, a magic potion.
I have such immense respect for those types of anesthesiologists; they clearly know their business and approach their patients with genuine humanity and responsibility.

This most recent procedure was the absolute gold standard, thanks to a brilliant surgeon whose skill and expertise turned the operation into a literal masterpiece, and of course, thanks to the anesthesiologist (who I later learned was a woman) and her incredible proficiency in her field.

I have already expressed my gratitude to the surgeon, but when I go back this Friday to have my stitches removed, I am going to do my level best to track down this anesthesiologist within the hospital. I want to thank her personally for her skill and expertise, which allowed me to sail through the anesthesia so flawlessly that I don't even feel like I underwent surgery at all.

If anyone is curious about which specific anesthesiologists I am talking about, send me a private message; I wasn't sure if I was allowed to promote them here...

Regardless, to everyone waiting for a surgical procedure, I sincerely wish you a speedy recovery and hope that everything goes perfectly smoothly.

Walter Thomas18 said:I truly feel for you...

It’s chilling, honestly... I suppose that’s just the hand fate deals to the unfortunate. 😁

Walter Thomas18 said:Was there an actual injury involved—like a crash or a fall?

It wasn't a crash or a slip. Honestly, it feels more like my own genetic code was working against me, though I suppose even God doesn't have the definitive answer to that one.
To put it plainly, there is extensive damage throughout my entire spine. I’m dealing with disc protrusions across seven different segments, affecting both the cervical and thoracic regions. On top of that, I had two separate surgeries for an L5-S1 herniated disc quite some time ago.
In short, it’s a mix of dorsalgia, cervicobrachial syndrome, chronic recurring lumbar sciatica, and several other complications.
The neurological exams show moderate chronic nerve lesions across multiple roots, among other things.
Over time, my posture completely shifted out of alignment, which eventually took a toll on my hips and then my shoulder after a fall.
There is plenty more to get into, but I don't want to derail the conversation.

Walter Thomas18 said:8 units is $46. If I recall correctly, I spotted a pack of 20 on eBay for about $10
.
Sorry you're dealing with those issues

Thanks for the heads-up...
I still have a few spares tucked away for now, but since they aren't actually doing me any good, they're just sitting there gathering dust. Regardless, if I find myself needing more, I'll definitely keep an eye on eBay...

P.S. Honestly, my spine is a total wreck... from my top vertebra down to my tailbone, it's just pure misery. 🤦

Walter Thomas18 said:You can find replacements on eBay. They're way cheaper than what we deal with here (I think you $46)
My EM80 is a 4-channel model

That’s a fair point, but even with those lower prices, paying that kind of amount for just four small components feels a bit excessive to me.
Besides, I really don't have the energy to mess around with it anymore. To be honest, it doesn't do much for me anyway. My spinal issues are such that even if I were to run a device with double the intensity day and night, I wouldn't feel any relief at all.

I can certainly share my own experience using the Beurer Em 41, which I picked up about ten months ago...

It’s a two-channel device, and looking back, I really regret not opting for one with more channels. If your goal is to treat larger areas of your body, you should definitely go for a multi-channel model instead.

Furthermore, because I was using mine daily—sometimes for four or five hours straight due to some rather persistent issues I deal with—the batteries drained incredibly fast. If you’re planning on frequent or lengthy sessions, save yourself the headache and buy something that plugs directly into a wall outlet. You’ll end up saving quite a bit of money; with my usage patterns, I was replacing batteries every five to seven days.

It isn't a bad little gadget, but there isn't a massive functional difference between the TENS, massager, and EMS modes, and honestly, it hasn't quite lived up to my specific needs.
I prefer a much more intense sensation, and for what I’m looking for, this feels a bit too weak.

I used it consistently for about two months before the novelty simply wore off. To be honest, if your post hadn't reminded me of it, I probably would have forgotten I even owned it...

Oh, and one more thing...
You do need to use replacement electrodes, but keep in mind that a single pair will only last you about ten days if you're using it as heavily as I did—and that's assuming you're being very diligent about cleaning them. They are also surprisingly pricey. I can't recall the exact amount I spent, but I remember feeling a bit of sticker shock when I saw the price tag.

Grace Richardson24 said:I have another suspicion—that there’s been a bit of intentional trolling going on here, given how sensitive people tend to get about these topics, making it all too easy to bait someone. 🕺

We all enjoy a little mischief now and then, but there are specific forums for that kind of thing; seeing it happen here is just distasteful.

It’s truly a pleasure...
Let’s look at it this way...
I’m addressing you and everyone else all at once here, simply because I have no interest in going back and forth through every single individual comment like some kind of pedantic nitpicker.

To be quite specific regarding AML—acute myeloid leukemia—I actually had a case within my immediate family, so I have firsthand experience with what a sick person goes through, as well as the emotional toll it takes on their closest relatives. I am choosing to speak about this in the past tense, intentionally. I believe it’s important to be clear enough for anyone listening to truly grasp the gravity of the situation.

Furthermore, if anyone is genuinely curious about the specific ailments I’ve dealt with in the past or what I'm currently struggling through, feel free to dig through the forum archives. There should be plenty of my old posts floating around that cover those details quite thoroughly.

I only stepped into this thread for one reason: to weigh in on the poll regarding whether we are for or against. Since I find myself firmly on the opposing side, I’ve already laid out my position in a previous post—mostly because that very first entry in the survey had the nerve to label those of us who disagree as selfish. Period.

Look, I have absolutely no interest in being labeled a troll, nor do I have any desire to spend my energy bickering with anyone else here. So, I’ll just leave it at this: I wish you all nothing but the best—may you live long, stay sharp, and above all, enjoy nothing but good health.

So long for now.

Nicole Hughes7 said:shadownomad43@What would you say to the person in this article?

http://www.nytimes.com/life/health...jAzk4.facebook

What would I tell her?
If I were Dr. House, I’d probably just tell her: "Look, honey, your clock has run out."
But since I'm clearly not Dr. House, I’d go with something a bit more human: "Listen, friend, life can be incredibly cruel. Forget about the radiation, skip the chemo, and honestly, screw the whole pharmaceutical industry. Just hold your husband tight, grab your kids by the hands, and soak up every single second left with them..."

As for you, I’ll offer this: there is a curious little psychological quirk tucked away in our brains. It seems that once we finally stop obsessively agonizing over the things that weigh us down, the problem somehow begins to resolve itself.
The power of self-suggestion really does work wonders.

Grace Richardson24 As stated by:
I suppose we can at least find common ground in the fact that we aren't seeing eye to eye.
An ulcer in the stomach gets cut out, much like a tumor does.
It’s much like undergoing an amputation.
The process essentially involves trimming away the damaged tissue and discarding it, allowing the remaining healthy sections to be fused back together into a single, cohesive unit—whether that results in a smaller structure or one that’s been expanded.
Patching things up is like when you take a deep cut and just use a few quick stitches to close the wound so it doesn't stand out too much.

I’m not entirely sure what your background is, but it's clear you aren't a surgeon. My perforated ulcer was actually "patched up" using the Rosco Graham technique, which essentially involves using my own omentum to cover the perforation.

Grace Richardson24 As stated by:
Even if we’re talking about cosmetic refinements—like trimming excess skin on the stomach or thighs—there is something fundamentally unsettling about "sculpting" nasal cartilage to fix a deviated septum. It feels like you're taking parts of the body that God gave you and deciding they're no longer worthy, discarding them with a sense of disdain.😁 Blasphemy!

I don’t have any excess skin hanging off my stomach (thank God), so there isn't really a need to go under the knife to get rid of it, and I actually turned down that recommended septoplasty. Honestly, they might as well just go ahead and reshape my entire head while they're at it...!!!? Nobody even watched that movie. She ended up choking on her own mucus.

Grace Richardson24 said:It seems we’ve reached a point where we definitely don't see eye to eye.
Stomach ulcers require removal—they get cut out... just like tumors.
That falls under the same umbrella as amputation.
The tissue is excised and discarded, then the healthy part is stitched back together (whether smaller or larger).
"Patching" is what happens when you cut yourself and they use a few stitches to make sure nothing is sticking out.

The surgeries I undergo are purely corrective. Nothing is being put into me, nor is anything being taken out. So, let's not conflate "correction" with "transplantation," "amputation," and so on...

Even if it is a correction—say, removing excess skin on the abdomen or thighs, or "adjusting" nasal cartilage for a deviated septum—that still involves removing parts of the body God gave you, which you're now discarding with such distaste.😁 Blasphemy!

And let's be clear—I'm not lecturing anyone. Everyone has the right to choose, myself included.
But the more people zealously attack my choice without an ounce of respect—all while I respect theirs—the more unshakable my own decision becomes.

You’ve certainly started generalizing everyone who disagrees with you, even though you're the one "correcting" your own body.
It makes it seem like everyone is out to get you, and you're the lone voice whose opinion isn't allowed.

Let's be real—personally, I don't have a strong stance on organ donation.
In other words, once I'm gone, whether some vultures pick me apart or dismantle me to take whatever is useful... it doesn't matter.

However, I might think twice about *receiving* donated organs—purely because of my long history with immunosuppressants and immunomodulation. This damn chemistry.
Without those meds, I’d accept a donated organ in a heartbeat. But this way, I’d have to pass.
Actually, I probably would be a bit of a fool to do it.
When someone is at death's door, they grab at any straw. Most likely, despite all the side effects and risks, they just want to experience "one more birdsong and one more fragrant spring."

I’m not out here making sweeping generalizations. If anything, I make it a point to remind everyone that everyone is entitled to their own perspective. But it feels like I’m just talking to a brick wall.

Grace Richardson24 said:It seems we’ve reached a point where we definitely don't see eye to eye.
Stomach ulcers require removal—they get cut out... just like tumors.
That falls under the same umbrella as amputation.
The tissue is excised and discarded, then the healthy part is stitched back together (whether smaller or larger).
"Patching" is what happens when you cut yourself and they use a few stitches to make sure nothing is sticking out.

The surgeries I undergo are purely corrective. Nothing is being put into me, nor is anything being taken out. So, let's not conflate "correction" with "transplantation," "amputation," and so on...

Even if it is a correction—say, removing excess skin on the abdomen or thighs, or "adjusting" nasal cartilage for a deviated septum—that still involves removing parts of the body God gave you, which you're now discarding with such distaste.😁 Blasphemy!

And let's be clear—I'm not lecturing anyone. Everyone has the right to choose, myself included.
But the more people zealously attack my choice without an ounce of respect—all while I respect theirs—the more unshakable my own decision becomes.

You’ve certainly started generalizing everyone who disagrees with you, even though you're the one "correcting" your own body.
It makes it seem like everyone is out to get you, and you're the lone voice whose opinion isn't allowed.

Let's be real—personally, I don't have a strong stance on organ donation.
In other words, once I'm gone, whether some vultures pick me apart or dismantle me to take whatever is useful... it doesn't matter.

However, I might think twice about *receiving* donated organs—purely because of my long history with immunosuppressants and immunomodulation. This damn chemistry.
Without those meds, I’d accept a donated organ in a heartbeat. But this way, I’d have to pass.
Actually, I probably would be a bit of a fool to do it.
When someone is at death's door, they grab at any straw. Most likely, despite all the side effects and risks, they just want to experience "one more birdsong and one more fragrant spring."

Sure, I make adjustments to my body. Because...
We have truly brilliant surgeons in this country. I honestly hold them in the highest regard; they are individuals who command genuine admiration and respect. It is thanks to their immense knowledge, raw talent, and sheer technical skill that countless people have been snatched back from the very brink of death. I am one of those people. There isn't any way to properly express my gratitude to them for using that expertise to give me a life free from pain today. However, they do have one glaring flaw: a complete lack of aesthetic sensibility. They can quite literally leave a patient looking disfigured on the operating table, patching someone up so poorly that when they finally wake from anesthesia, they feel more frustrated than they did before they ever laid down on the table. Fortunately, Medicare covers the corrective procedures for these unsightly scars, but there is a tragic irony at play here—it essentially forces the patient to undergo the massive risks of further surgery and general anesthesia all over again just to look human.

Grace Richardson24 said:It seems we’ve reached a point where we definitely don't see eye to eye.
Stomach ulcers require removal—they get cut out... just like tumors.
That falls under the same umbrella as amputation.
The tissue is excised and discarded, then the healthy part is stitched back together (whether smaller or larger).
"Patching" is what happens when you cut yourself and they use a few stitches to make sure nothing is sticking out.

The surgeries I undergo are purely corrective. Nothing is being put into me, nor is anything being taken out. So, let's not conflate "correction" with "transplantation," "amputation," and so on...

Even if it is a correction—say, removing excess skin on the abdomen or thighs, or "adjusting" nasal cartilage for a deviated septum—that still involves removing parts of the body God gave you, which you're now discarding with such distaste.😁 Blasphemy!

And let's be clear—I'm not lecturing anyone. Everyone has the right to choose, myself included.
But the more people zealously attack my choice without an ounce of respect—all while I respect theirs—the more unshakable my own decision becomes.

You’ve certainly started generalizing everyone who disagrees with you, even though you're the one "correcting" your own body.
It makes it seem like everyone is out to get you, and you're the lone voice whose opinion isn't allowed.

Let's be real—personally, I don't have a strong stance on organ donation.
In other words, once I'm gone, whether some vultures pick me apart or dismantle me to take whatever is useful... it doesn't matter.

However, I might think twice about *receiving* donated organs—purely because of my long history with immunosuppressants and immunomodulation. This damn chemistry.
Without those meds, I’d accept a donated organ in a heartbeat. But this way, I’d have to pass.
Actually, I probably would be a bit of a fool to do it.
When someone is at death's door, they grab at any straw. Most likely, despite all the side effects and risks, they just want to experience "one more birdsong and one more fragrant spring."

I’ve been on the edge of death a few times myself. There were moments when things got genuinely grim. Yet, not once did I feel the urge to desperately clutch at straws.
Every single time, I just gave myself a little mental shrug and whispered, "God, my life is in Your hands now. Do with it whatever You see fit; I'm perfectly fine with whatever happens."
I essentially hand myself over to the surgeon, ready to wake up cold if that's how the cards fall.
But, having a bit of luck on my side, I always seem to land in the hands of a top-tier surgeon—someone who truly knows their craft—so I invariably wake up from anesthesia feeling perfectly fine.
And that's just how it goes... what's meant to be, will be.
That really gets to the heart of everything I've been trying to say in my previous posts.