moon

[moon]

hi guys!!!! I havent been here in awhile but I wanted to say that I have almost completely quit picking thanks to Seroquel (I am upto 200mg a day)...I have also been approved for gastric bypass surgery for weight loss!! My surgery is July 12 (four days after my bday)....and because I have cleared up so much I was able to have laser hair removal (two sessions) and I have had one session of microderm abrasion (two more to go)...so everything is starting to look great (I still have to fight the urge on a daily basis, but i can fight it!!!!)

my prayers are with all of you who are still struggling...I hope you can find the right answers that help you stop...

*HUGS*

moon

[Margaret]

Great news!! I'm really glad to hear that!!

But can I ask you some personal questions?? I don't want this to sound bad or anything, but I'm a dietitian student and I'm really interested in morbid obestity,surgery and pre and post-surgery nutrition. I'll just come straight out with the question..how much do you weigh? Is gatric bypass really necessary? It just that I find WLS soo drastic, and it's no turning back, and there's so risky as well! But I agree with it if it is really necessary, and that's what I want to work with when I graduate, the follow-up after the operation, because nutrition is gonna be essential then. I hope I haven't offended you, but I'm just really interested in this.

And another question, how was the microdermabrasion?

[moon]

the microderm abrasion did not hurt a bit and i could tell a difference the very same day!!

about the WLS...i have emailed you about it and I would love to talk to you about my WLS every step of the way!
Thanks!

moon

[Carree]

Moon-

I am very happy for you. I remember you being on the board alot when I first joined. It sounds like things are going good for you but I'm sure it has been a struggle all of the way. Just curious what your main picking areas are, I seem to pick all over! My picking has drastically improved since finding this board although I know that this is just something I am going to have to deal with for the rest of my life!

Please continue to update us, it is so nice to hear when fellow pickers are recovering!

Carree

[moon]

Hi! Thanks you!

The board has helped me a lot too..but i had almost completely quit picking while taking 200mg Seroquel a day...I had to wean off of it for surgery on the 12th...and I have already started picking again! (I was convinced I wouldnt start again) so now I know it is definately the Seroquel that helped me stop. I can start taking it again about 4 days after surgery.

I use to pick everywhere..but my main places were my face, upper arms, thighs, rear, and sometimes my scalp.

I know a lot of you guys are skeptics about medication! I was one of them! But my doctor pretty much begged me just to try the Seroquel...I started out on low doses and had to work my way up...and it did take about a month to start seeing results...but it was worth it!

Take care and good luck to all of you!

moon

[Wow Me too]

Hello... I am also taking Seroquel (up to 800 mg) and I have to say it has really helped my picking obsession. Once you get past the side effects (zombification : It has been lifesaver! My picking has lessened dramatically.. enough to where I could do a treatment of Accutane. I'm just about finished with that..have to wait a year to get dermabrasion or laser surgery done. Just wanted to ask.. did the microdermabrasion really make much of a difference, or would dermabrasion or laser be best for the cost vs effectiveness factor? I hope you keep us updated!

I'm still not 100 percent and pick at things occasionally but have so so so much improved with medication (also on Celexa 80 mg, and 4 mg of xanax) the only thing really is tiredness, maybe a few pounds weight gain (nothing a diet can't cure!) but my BDD and my CSP is losing it's power over me...especially the picking. Also tips and tools I have read from here, and from other websites have dramatically helped me to learn how to stop this destructive behavior I've been doing to myself for years! I do have some setbacks, again, I am soooo much better off than I was 8 months ago! Don't anyone give up hope, and I just wanted to mention how much Seroquel has helped me, too!

Take care everyone, and keep soldiering on!
Shadow

(sorry for not registering yet!)

[shadow]

Someone asked about gastric bypass surgery. Both my mother and sister had it done, they were morbidly obese.. I think you have to be at least 100 pounds overweight.. but under a certain weight too because of the risk factor. I think it is a lifesaver for some people, not to be taken lightly, and should research the docs and possible complications.. but I have to say it completely changed thier lives, they are happy and healthy and able to enjoy life so much more.

Shadow

[moon]

i didnt have any side effects from seroquel..i think it is because i started at such a very low does 25mg and worked my way up...after surgery i will go directly back to 200mg and prolly make my way upto at least 300mg (i am also on 5mg xanax twice a day)

i am about 130 pounds overweight...and i have other weight/health related issues...my insurance would not cover the surgery if it wasnt to make me a healthier person...i am getting really nervous about the surgery!

i will keep u guys posted!

moon

[moon]

oh and the microderm abrasion..it cost 175.oo for one treatment and i need at least two more..i could tell a difference when i walked out of the derms office...but it is not for anyone who has deep acne scars...if u have those then u need the laser treatment (much more extensive)

[moon]

well today is july 19th and i am recovering from what was probably one of the hardest operations...it has been very difficult drinking enough liquids (cuz I am sick of them mainly) to keep hydrated...i had six incisions and another for a drain tube....when they pulled that thing out of me i thought i was gonna die...

but i think the hardest part is over now...and in seven days i have lost 15 pounds!

thanks for thinking about me...

moon

[Me2]

Holy shit Moon!

I am so proud of you! Your one tough cookie to go through that. It shows that you are willing to do what it takes to do the right thing for your body. Wow. I am in awe of you.

I wanna take seroquel too! I take 30 mg of celexa (citalopram) per day, and I haven't been able to cut down my picking any better. I am a little bubblier though....YAY serotonin!!!

Please keep us posted honey, Our thoughts are with you.

Fay

[moon]

HI!! I have lost 73 pounds and feel great! I still pick sometimes but the seroquel helps a lot. When I had to quit taking it for the surgery, I picked like crazy!! It was awful...but I am now up to 300mgs and I am doing OK. Me2, did you try the seroquel??

*BIG HUGS*