Bornagainbabe

Hathery, I was just about to say the same thing re. Dr Nick ha ha!

Another point worth mentioning is that gastrectomies, i.e. for stomach cancers etc., have been performed for years with relatively few complications in later years.

Keep at it! The pre-op diet is always a challenge - I had to drink just milk for 10 days prior to both my ops and it was difficult, but it is worth it and will make surgery easier.

I didn't notice a huge hair loss - nothing that concerned me too much anyway, although I did notice some in the shower. Don't worry about it too much as you will soon be on the other side and looking and feeling fab! Good luck x

Thanks Jane, like your friend we have considered du exposure and the vaccinations from Gulf as well but I now suspect that it may be genetic as my husband's family (including him and my older daughter) all display traits that I and my friends can all recognise, plus his brother's second-born twins have not fully-developed speech and display suspect signs at 3 and a half. I have had lots of therapy etc. and it always ended up with them telling me the same thing - that my problems lay with finding more help with James. Whatever the reasons I am now hoping that I can find ways to help myself without using alcohol, food etc. as a crutch and look forward to a much healthier lifestyle. Being slimmer is a huge boost to my confidence and looking and feeling great in lovely clothes has got to be better than any drug!

I've known for a long time that I have probably drunk more than I should. I have never drunk during the day or felt I have 'needed' a drink but as soon as evening came I would open the wine and in the old days pre-op would easily manage the bottle. Post-op it was usually half the bottle. I think it started when my husband was in the first Gulf War in 1991 and me and the other army wives would sit and get drunk most nights. I never drank during either of my pregnancies but when my son was diagnosed as autistic I always wondered whether or not I had overdone it prior to discovering I was pregnant and therefore caused it. Anyway, I have suffered from major stress, anxiety and depression for the last 12 years as a result of my son's daily challenging behaviour and also the interminable sadness I feel for him having autism (he hates it and every day tells me he wants to be a 'normal' boy like the other boys - it's so sad and it never leaves me no matter what I do). So I drank, ate and smoked, not caring at all what I was doing to myself. I still feel a bit like that now, despite tackling the obesity, smoking and now drinking ,and don't enjoy my life at all. I have no optimism for the future but I have to keep going for my family's sake don't I? Sorry for hijacking this thread but I think that Tiffy is absolutely right in highlighting the transference of addictive behaviours and I for one am one of those people who just cannot stop despite being well aware of the damage I am doing. Hopefully I will now embrace the gym and exercise (not entirely convinced of that as not a gym bunny at all) but it has got to be done.

Thanks for your good wishes. I am sure that you will all be ok but I was quite a heavy drinker although I would never have admitted it to anyone. Prior to my accident I was knocking it back as I was under a lot of stress but in some ways I think it has done me a favour and made me take a good look at myself. I haven't admitted it to any of my friends or family, you guys are the only people I have told, that I was drunk that night although people did ask and I denied it. After a few months out I could down quite a lot of wine, although never as much as before my op, and it was slowing my weight loss down significantly. I have an addictive nature and cannot do anything in moderation, eat, smoke or drink. It's all or nothing with me and for me quitting the booze is the best thing I have done. Only 5 weeks out though and it's not easy now I am feeling better and summer is on the way. We went to a barbecue yesterday and it was quite difficult watching everyone around me drinking but I stuck to orange juice and was fine. I am determined to stick to this as the upset and stress I caused my husband and children has made me sick with guilt. They were devastated. I was stupid with alcohol. I'm sure you lot will be able to control it better than I did!

I don't drink at all now. I did drink quite a lot of red wine and was using that and occasionally vodka to help me cope with stress. It affected me really quickly and I didn't need much to feel seriously lightheaded, so lightheaded that just over 5 weeks ago I slipped on the stairs, fell backwards and fractured the base of my skull causing a major csf leak with lasted until last week. I was ashamed. I didn't tell the doctor I had been drinking and made my family promise not to tell anyone. I think I must have blacked out on the way down as I only remember slipping and then finding myself at the bottom of the stairs. From that night I promised myself and my husband that I wouldn't drink again as I just cannot handle it anymore with my new stomach. I gulp. I don't do sipping delicately at anything. I have joined the gym now and intend to use that to help me cope with the stress I feel 24/7.

Just a quick question! Has anyone here experienced any problems with pasta? I haven't tried it yet and it's on my list as foods that may be problematic (had problems with it when I was banded but that was with it not 'going down' very well). I seem to be able to tolerate most things now but I have made a lasagne for tea and am unsure as to whether or not to give it a go! Decisions, decisions....should I do it???

Hi Matt, Welcome to VST. I'm in Sheffield too - whereabouts are you? It's quite normal to feel nervous but Mr Ackroyd is an excellent surgeon with an equally excellent reputation. He has operated on me three times and I have always felt very safe in his hands. You will find loads of information on here regarding diet etc. and the dietician will see you in hospital to go through it all. I wouldn't worry too much about keyhole versus open surgery. Mr Ackroyd will do as he considers necessary. I had open surgery as I needed my ab muscles repaired at the same time and it probably only delayed my recovery by a week or so. Don't worry about that right now. I am sure you will be fine as long as you do as you're told and will make a good recovery. How are you doing with the pre-op diet? Helen

I am glad you didn't cheat. Well done! As was stated before, it's easy to slide downhill really fast once you do start slipping in things that aren't prescribed by your doc. I had to do a milk and yoghurt diet for 10 days twice! The first time at a BMI of 46 for my band op and then again at a BMI of around 30 (I think) for my revision to sleeve. I did stick to it rigidly both times but I did have the occasional oxo drink to get in some savoury as I hate yoghurt and it makes me feel sick. It was all worth it though and my liver was nicely shrunk down for surgery. Good luck, you're doing really well xxx

Hi Michelle and welcome, this is a great site full of lovely people and excellent advice. Good luck with your pre-op diet. Am looking forward to hearing of your progress xxx

Oops! Just seen your new 'do' and it's fab. You look great - very very pretty xxx

Love A! The style looks easier to maintain than C as well!

Hi Snow, Welcome to VST! You will find lots of support and useful info here. Hi Chilli, Ditto Jane. Not been here for a while so may have missed your updates. Hope you are doing ok. Helen x

✮✮✮MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR✮✮✮ To all my VST friends wherever you are xxxxxx

Sometimes I feel really hungry and at other times I can go for hours without thinking of eating. The problem with that though is that when I do start eating I quickly realise how hungry I actually was and then end up scoffing too much and too fast. The answer for me is to try and keep to a fairly regular pattern. I still don't get clear 'full' signals and if I am enjoying something can over indulge and then end up being sick - I try to avoid that by telling myself that it's ok to go back and get some more later on (usually I forget and don't bother). It's getting easier as time goes on I think.

A bit long but very funny! FROM: Patricia Harris, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: 4th DECEMBER RE: Christmas Party I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols...please feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if the Managing Director shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1.00 p.m. Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be over 10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pockets. This gathering is only for employees! The Managing Director will make a special announcement at the Party. Merry Christmas to you and your Family Patricia ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FROM: Patricia Harris, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: 5th December RE: Holiday Party In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're calling it our ' Holiday Party.' The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians. There will be no Christmas tree or Christmas carols sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment. Happy now? Happy Holidays to you and your family, Patricia. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FROM; Patricia Harris, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE : 6th December RE: Holiday Party Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table...you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only," you wouldn't be anonymous anymore!!!! How am I supposed to handle this? Somebody? Forget about the gift exchange, no gift exchange allowed now since the Union Officials feel that 10.00 is too much money and Management believe 10.00 is a little cheap. NO GIFT EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED. Patricia. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FROM: Patricia Harris, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: 7th December RE: Holiday Party What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20th begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during day l i ght hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs, perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party - or else package everything up for you to take home in a little foil doggy bag. Will that work? Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the toilets, Gays are allowed to sit with each other, Lesbians do not have to sit with gay men, each will have their own table. Yes, there will be flower arrangements for the gay men's table, too. To the person asking permission to cross dress - no cross dressing allowed. And No, no blow-up sheep. We will have booster seats for short people. Low fat food will be available for those on a diet. We cannot control the salt used in the food. We suggest those people with high blood pressure taste the food first. There will be fresh fruits as dessert for Diabetics, the restaurant cannot supply "No Sugar" Desserts. Sorry! Did I miss anything?!?!?!?!?! Patricia. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FROM: Patricia Harris , Human Resources Director TO: All F*****G Employees DATE: 8th December RE: The ******** Holiday Party. Vegetarian pricks I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death", as you so quaintly put it. You'll get your f****** salad bar, including organic tomatoes, but you know tomatoes have feeling, too. They scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right NOW!! Hope you all have a rotten holiday * drink, drive, and die! The Bitch from HELL!!!!!!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FROM: John Bishop - Acting Human Resources Director DATE: 12th December RE: Patricia Harris and Holiday Party I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patricia a speedy recovery, and I'll continue to forward your cards to her. In the meantime, Management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and instead, give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd December off with full pay.

What do you get if you cross an owl with a hedgehog? ........a prick that stays up all night!

It is near the Christmas break of the school year. The students have turned in all their work and there is really nothing more to do. All the children are restless and the teacher decides to have an early dismissal.. Teacher: "Whoever answers the questions I ask, first and correctly can leave early today." Little Johnny says to himself "Good, I want to get outta here. I'm smart and will answer the question." Teacher: "Who said 'Four Score and Seven Years Ago'?" Before Johnny can open his mouth, Susie says, "Abraham Lincoln." Teacher: "That's right Susie, you can go home." Johnny is mad that Susie answered the question first. Teacher: "Who said 'I Have a Dream'?" Before Johnny can open his mouth, Mary says, "Martin Luther King.." Teacher: "That's right Mary, you can go." Johnny is even madder than before. Teacher: "Who said 'Ask not, what your country can do for you'?" Before Johnny can open his mouth, Nancy says, "John F. Kennedy." Teacher: "That's right Nancy, you may also leave." Johnny is boiling mad that he has not been able to answer to any of the questions. When the teacher turns her back Johnny says, "I wish these bitches would keep their mouths shut!" The teacher turns around: "NOW WHO SAID THAT?" Johnny: "TIGER WOODS. CAN I GO NOW?"

Yes I agree - lasagne is fine with me but I was sick the other week after eating spaghetti bolognese so I am avoiding pasta. Rice is fine now too.

I had emergency surgery on an irreducible incarcerated hernia in June and was fully recovered after a week. You will be fine x

I'm on Lansoprazole, same as Jane, and have no problems with it. If I don't take it I know about it and have indigestion. I have no plans to stop taking it as it protects my stomach.