Madam Reverie

Those dark places.. i live in them, for different reasons... Your reasons, however, are more valid than mine ever were,,, Stay strong, sister xx xx

LOL I'm so sorry, sometimes it's just a vomitorioum of inappropriateness that leaves the ends of my fingertips. Particularly when I'm riled. But on reflection - it's kinda true, isn't it?! x

I love you, too, Rj.. But seriously.. you're better than these superficial insecurities. You know this. We know this. You're our bariatric mother, after all. And that is meant with deep love and affection. No surrender, my love. Ever! Big hugs and kisses xxxxxx Now, who wants to get into it with me tonight. I'm ready. OH BOY! AM I READY!!!!

Love you, too, baby-boy x

Okay, I'm tired, emotional, I love you Rj - but.... Who the f**** cares. Whether you started at 5 billion pounds, or started at 20lbs overweight. We've all been on this site long enough to know that the milestones we reach are all BMI related. Those that start higher, lose more. Those that start lower, lose slower (and this is a caveat, without complications). Particularly if you have such nasty afflictions such as thyroid or PCOS issues. (Ad infinitum) I couldn't give a rats ass about someone's 'pounds lost' -and neither should you. Its all relative. I am concerned, as selfish as it sounds, about me. And I will look for parity in my results with those who started at the same time as I did, with similar metrics. So some of us were heavier, some of us were lighter. We all have different circumstances which brought us to this point - the point of 'enough is enough' and we took action accordingly. Are you 'lesser' because it potentially 'took you longer' and you started at a higher weight. No, this is a psycho-social issue of which no one has the right to comment, unless they have walked that path. Your path. If it makes you feel bad - it shouldn't. There are many like you. Some, dare I say it, 'worse' if that is the right term to use, than you! Some of us are executive decision makers and largely (scuse the pun) forward looking. Some of us sit in our darkened corners, ruminating and cogitating about whether taking such extreme action (and whatever way we cut it, the decision to have WLS is extreme), is right for us. I love ya, RJ - but this is a non question to most - i.e me. It's a question for you. You're the one who is drawing those comparisons with others about metrics. It just smells like personal reflection. And for the record, I have enough of those demons, without having to validate whether my excess 80lbs are more important or valid, or 'enough' to be ashamed of, than anyone else. Frankly, I couldn't give a rats ass. LL was right when she referred to individuality. It is an individual process. Dazzled by the numbers? Yes, I suppose i was. Through experience and a better than average ability to understand basic metabolic rates, height/weight ratio and food addiction versus capacity issues - I know that MY issues are going to be just as hard and just as challenging than anyone elses. But still, I'm trying. Did I take the decision to do this more quickly than other people? Hell no. It took me 10 years of career progression, working in war-zones, saving a substantial amount of money and more importantly, the TIME to take this out for myself. But, I did it. Because I started out as a 'lower weight' than a lot, does it invalidate (just for LL) my 'journey' (cue non 'stuck' vomiting). It does not. This is a non argument and one, I don't recognise, nor validate - and unapologetically find a bit tedious. Ultimately, we all laid our arses down and got some borderline Aspergers candidate to remove 85% of our stomachs. Glorified skin/organ seamstresses. It took as much courage and situational recognition whether we were 50lbs overweight or 200lbs overweight. Either way, we did it and the loss rates, as long as dietry compliance is adhered to, are the same. I think I've made my point. RJ - this one is all about YOUR perception. Which you are welcome to. I frankly, couldn't give a rats ass about this issue as it concerns me. I'm walking my path as best I can. As previously stated - I look for similar metrics and empathy of particular circumstance. It is largely 'process' related. I can hope for psycho-social parity. But it is unusual. My life and my decisions are unique to me. As they are to you. My experiences are not 'pan-bariatric pal' related and given your heartbreaking troubles with regards to your recovery, they are most certainly unique to you. Stop listening (read 'reading') the noise. It's only a website and it's f******ing with your head. Right... Love and light and most importantly; Peace out <walks off to take a valium as her day has been quite enough already. No hard feelings. I'm just out of patience today>

Fanks, love. The hair loss is a really distressing thing when it happens - I will not deny. Felt like it was endlessly just falling out in clumps. Don't get me wrong, my hair is still falling out (particularly when I blow dry it), but there is re-growth, too. Guess it's just that growth cycle thing I have to contend with now. Hopefully it'll all be back to normal at about month 12. Knowing me, I'll get to the point when all the bald bits are filled in and I'll get it all cut off! I'm a fussy sort! Here's hoping you're one of the lucky ones and you don't lose any hair. They're few and far between, but it can happen. Here's to consuming LOTS and LOTS of Iron

Get you, girlfriend! What an achievement! You should be very very proud

Spot on! (did I get that right) Yes, you did!

I was advised no flying for four weeks, for this reason. But that's here in the UK. Clearly if you're going to Mexico, you're going to have to fly. (Unless you live there, or can drive there!) Standard procedure for avoiding DVT on a plane, is applicable in this case, too. If you're not given blood thinners, take 1/2-1 tablet of asprin. This thins the blood. Drink lots of Water. No high-sugar or any alcohol (for obvious reasons) Wear compression socks on your legs. Keep mobile whilst in the air and if you have a nice friend with you, get them to massage your lower calves regularly. That's the best you can do to mitigate the risks. Unless, of course, the Mexicans can help you with additional drugs, etc.

Crikey, I wish I had a mum like you! If my mum found out I'd had this surgery? She'd kill me on principle!

For the surgery and follow-up: Kenny Rogers - The Gambler For this website? Harry Nilsson - Everybody's talkin' at me.

I saw a post on a different site, asking how we lose the fat. She thought we peed it out. Not enough faces and palms in the world. That logic is not actually far from reality. Fat breaks down - that which is not metabolised or the waste products from it, has to go somewhere. Guess where?! Maybe those faces and palms were a bit too premature after all?

For hair loss, I found Iron was incredibly important. So it's not just about the Protein, but the quality of it. I was told to up my iron, so I practically quadrupled the amount I took, ate red meat and it slowed the loss considerably. As for dying my hair, I use semi-permanent dark brown hair dye. Found it worked well for disguising the bald Patches at the sides of my head (temples). I dunno whether it caused a decent shadow or dyed my scalp. Either way, its done the job until the little horns of re-growth I'm starting to develop (that's re-growth of hair, not my turning into the second coming of beelzebub!), comes to full fruition.

Ask for some blended soup?

Ask for an independent advocate?

Yeah yeah yeah.. Love you and your excruciatingly photogenic, fabulous self! Random factoid time: Did you realise on this VERY day in 1983 (your 'key to the door' year), this was the number 1 single. Quite apt, methinks. Enjoy today, darlin'. Success hard fought for and well won. -x-

Its called the '3 week stall'. Search the forums. There are millions of posts regarding it. Don't fear, stalls are normal - particularly the three week one. Your weight will drop - promise!

Horrendous thing to happen, but I'm glad you're accurately diagnosed and being well looked after. Thank the dickens for that!!! You've had enough go wrong with this whole process! Fingers crossed for no more! (And well done, hubby ) Rest and recuperate well, my dear

Whoop whoop!

No judgement here.. 1) Measure your food. Don't eat more than you're prescribed to. 'Pushing it', just to see what you can 'get away with', will cause you harm and cause stretching and worse... Just because you 'can', doesn't mean you should. You know this. So soon out, you have to look after your stomach. The operation does NOT absolve you of taking responsibility for your self, your actions/diet and your optimal healing. You know this. 2) Load up on your Water up to 30 minutes before eating. Don't drink for 45 mins afterwards. 3) Speak to your surgeon. None of us here are qualified to talk about your specific medical circumstance - but through experience, we know that so soon out to be able to eat what you are, is indeed a bit of a worry. Could it be numbness? Possibly. But in that way danger lies. I would try to implement points 1 and 2 and see how you are for a few days. Most importantly.. Look after your newly eviscerated stomach. Only YOU can take ownership of this one....

I think it's all relative. I'm 5ft 10 and if I got to the 140's I would look ill. But this is also because I have a large celtic bone structure. I could carry bricks, my shoulders are so wide! I don't think anyone can really comment, unless there is a pictorial representation. If your bone structure is very slight, then 140's might look great. As for your friends comment - its insensitive and inappropriate - but maybe they genuinely feel you don't look well at that weight/height ratio.

Resurrected it, no. Bumped it to the top of the thread list by posting - sort of. It was already there, to be fair. It should by now, just slip away into the old thread ether... 'Cause it ain't servin' no purpose!

Good God, is this still rumbling on?!!

My degree says I am qualified in 'layaboutishness', from the School of Sloths, College of Sedentariness. What's a girl to do?! Oh, that's it... yawn and return to her little nap

It is the worst word in the swearing arsenal. It shall not be repeated. Begins with 'C'....