I've got a bunch of gall stones. Short term means low fat diet. Slightly longer term means getting my gall bladder removed.

Very glad to hear it's nothing more serious, Drew. (Gall stones - worse than gas, but better than appendicitis!)

At the risk of too much me-me-me/TMI, do any of our medical-type Buffistas know if there's any actual science behind the cabbage-leaves-in-the-bra-to-suppress-milk-production thing? I suspect it's BS, but I could really use some relief over the next few days.

I've lost about 25 pounds in the past nine months or so, and my joint pain has been getting consistently worse.

When I lost about 25 pounds last year, my blood pressure went up enough, and stayed there, leading to me going back on the BP meds that I had gone off a few years before. Fooking weird.

do any of our medical-type Buffistas know if there's any actual science behind the cabbage-leaves-in-the-bra-to-suppress-milk-production thing?

I've never heard of that. Let me poke around the intertubes and see what turns up.

It seems like it doesn't actually suppress the production of milk, but helps with engorgement from fluid trapped in interstital spaces: [link] (That's not a highly scientific web site, but the info makes sense.)

I'm glad it's not more serious, Drew. Can the reduced fat diet eliminate the need for surgery?

edit: I just saw Kristin's post. Wikipedia says the gall bladder is a non-essential organ so, simplification, yay?

Thanks Tep!

I especially appreciate the warning on that page that cabbage should not be used by individuals who are allergic to cabbage.

Also loving their instructions:

Instructions: How to use of cabbage leaf compresses

1. Purchase a head of common green cabbage at the grocery store.

Jess, I think the cabbage leaf thing is true. I've heard you just take the leaves and stick them in your bra.

To use cabbage compresses for engorgement:

Wash a fresh head of green cabbage and place cabbage in refrigerator to chill. Just before use, crush the veins with a rolling pin or similar object or slice off the tops of the "veins" with a sharp knife, whatever makes the leaves shape to your breast most easily.

Drape one or two leaves over each breast, covering ALL of the engorged area. Leave on until they become wilted, about 20 to 30 minutes. Repeat three or four times within a 24 hour period, or until engorgement subsides. This will usually be within one to two days. If the engorgement is severe, compresses can be used as often as every 4 hours, but care should be taken as there is indication that cabbage leaves can work TOO well and end up reducing mother’s milk supply.

For the mother who is not breastfeeding, cabbage compresses can be used continuously to help dry up her milk. Discontinue immediately if skin becomes irritated.

from here: [link] (which you may or may not want to avoid since it's mostly written from a breastfeeding perspective.)

Of course, for special occasions you should dig up one of those decorative cabbages from the front of an apartment block or something.

Tep, I am now the proud owner of this. I came across it in a used bookstore. I thought you should know that such a thing exists. I...considered getting it for you but I, uh, really wanted it for myself.