Madam Reverie

Day 7 you'll be feeling much better - particularly with something more substantial in your stomach. Day 10/11, you'll be getting the hang of it. You might every so often say 'eh? Urrmm... That doesn't sit well'.. But you learn... By the mushie stage, the pain in your side will ease and you'll be free-wheeling down the road, ready to take on new and exciting challenges.. Like, erm, eating something with flavour and texture! Hang on in there, treacle. I believe this is a long ride, but a good one x

Okay, <sigh> This has nothing to do with pride. This is all about providing a forum where people can discuss and analyse their food 'transgressions' in a safe and non-judgmental environment. A point of which you, yourself, concluded was integral to the efficacy and atmosphere of this website as a whole on another of my threads yesterday? If you feel this thread has turned into something which 'enables' people - then this is your opinion. However, we are all adults here and we all draw our own conclusions. If new people come to this thread, they will have the opportunity to read my initial introduction to it. From that point, I have no control over their, or anyone else's comprehension As for being 'distressed' by it I have yet to read any complaints - save yours. Again, we are all adults here and fundamentally, whether or not we are advised to eat Quest bars and egg whites on a daily basis - this is not something I personally intend to do for the rest of my days and I don't believe the majority of other people are either. New people should have the option to see all sides of the coin - not one sole prescribed and sanitised view. As much as people might desire it, we haven't quite made a dystopian state out of this website yet... and there is room for alternative and what some might conclude, 'subversive' views. Its about being inclusive. Consequently, none of us are in a position to ascertain who has clinical issues and who does not. So does that mean all alternative views should be quashed accordingly? I know you're not my or anyone else's enemy, Pdxman. However and I'm just going to say it as it is... If you amended the tone, softened the judgement and dropped the ever-so-patronising admonishments - perhaps my responses to your posts might become that little less justificatory and a tad more positive... This debate, is done.

Maybe it's your turn of phrase... "Just like I wouldn't advise an alcoholic to just have a shot on a rare occasion, IMO, this is a dangerous thread." Maybe it's your overlooking this statement: "There'll be no 'Hail Mary's' or 'Our Fathers' and flagellation will NOT and should not be forthcoming" and coming forth with a statement of this nature: "Bottom line folks, I don't want to see any of y'all crying 6 months from now that the scale isn't moving, yet these same behaviors are continuing. If someone is struggling with weight loss 6 months from now, I'm going to point them to this thread.' I understand the genuine motive behind your post - and it is laudable. However, due to the primary reason this thread was composed, I found your well-intentioned post ill-placed. If people have chosen to not delve too deeply into 'why' they have chosen to consume something and 'how' it made them feel afterwards - that is their prerogative. The core tenet still remains, that it's a place where there is no judgement - rightly or wrongly - for the occasional strays they have. There is comfort in knowing you're not alone in your struggles - it is what makes us human, after all. That, I believe, is objectivity...

As you appeared to miss the point of the thread, I'll repeat it for you.... "Okay, so, since I've been frequenting this virtual bariatric world, there appear to be a few issues which seem to ignite much debate and throw the most meekly devised threads into huge ego-centric 'flaming' exercises. Not only do I, personally, find this predictably boring; it is also deeply unhelpful. We all know that this process changes or should change, how we do and view things to do with food and wider health issues, forever. As such, it takes a bit of getting used to. The prospect of having to adapt our long-held behaviours is scary and our little food related rituals? They are tough bleedin' cookies to break. (My apologies for mentioning the 'C' word there) Consequently, I'm a big believer in the adage that 'skeletons in the cupboard' are no longer 'skeletons', if they are dragged out into the light of day. (Normally kicking and screaming with the neighbours looking on in horror) So, roll-up, roll-up. Consider this an online bariatric confessional! There'll be no 'Hail Mary's' or 'Our Fathers' and flagellation will NOT and should not be forthcoming. I want you to tell us your 'dirty' little bariatric secrets. What did you do? Why did you do it? (and I will refrain from asking 'with whom?' you did it!) How did it make you feel afterwards? Did you resolve to never do it again - or indeed, did you think that actually, everything in moderation is not so bad after all? " No flaming required. I think the last paragraph makes the objective patently clear...

I'm in the same boat. 20 days out and I can't do up my jeans, which had room before the surgery. I also get twinges and pains in places unrelated to my stomach... Weird...

Holy cow - THAT is very noticeable! Massive congrats

Foxy! You look fabulous

Aww, Joatsaint, I tried that too! After my forgetting my password and having to reset it again - I logged back in and up it bleedin' popped! In a take-off of the Flinstones; instead of shouting 'Wilma', I'm tempted to shout 'ALLLEEEXXXXXXXX!!!!!!'

Okay, someone buzzed me on a private chat this avo. Now, although the chat is finished, every time I look at a different page, the chat box is popping up again. It is doing my head in as its right in the middle of the screen. Does anyone know of a way to permanently disable this function, without having to close chat EVERY time I move to a different page? I would just like it gone... Anyone have the magic answer? Fankooo x

Aww, that's very sweet of you, thank you. You're more than welcome to email me. Come along- join the crazy! All are welcome x

Thanks for the suggestion, but I tried that and it's still bloody there... Okay, this is doing my head in!!!!! As soon as you leave the page - up it pops again - like some sort of lingering wart... I want to find the central 'destroy' button!

I have no idea about whether it's the same as a colon cleanse. It is probably like a laxative to ensure your stomach and intestines are all squeaky clean prior to surgery. Gamergirl is right about the liquid diet being very important - that's why they put you on it. However, beating yourself up over what you've already done is futile. Just resolve to not to indulge again and move forward. Protein shakes ahoy! You can do it!

Thanks Joatsaint - I tried and it failed. Clearly there is a secret way that none of us have fathomed out yet! :ph34r: How annoying is this though?! Grrrrr.....

Can't get better advice or experience on this very issue, than from the lady above.. Seriously. As for losing all confidence in the surgeon... I know it's incredibly tough, but if you're getting hacked-off with his manner - muster all your angst and strength and tell him why you're losing confidence in him. Some of these surgeons definitely have a serious 'God-complex' going on and frankly, it's not warranted. Their bedside manners often leave a lot to be desired, too. You're justifiably frightened and you have every right to assert your dissatisfaction and demand some answers. Lots of love and hugs going out to you. Keep us updated, we'll be thinking of you x

Don't beat yourself up. You're taking mini mouthfuls. That, alone, is not going to make your liver explode. If you were caning a bottle of vodka and bucket of fried chicken three times a week, the doctor would know. As it stands, a mouthful of chicken or the odd crunchy-thing, is going to be fine. As you were, my dear and don't panic, you'll be fine and you'll do fine. x

I dunno, RJ - the rate this thread is going; any perceived benefit which might be accrued by having a different accent, is clearly lost in global miscomprehension!

No, the objective of this thread is not to make it acceptable to 'announce one ate unhealthy food'. However, the former one is about getting it out in the open without the 'shame, guilt or judgement'. Clear as mud?!

No, you're not following it entirely... The 'dirty' little secret post was the prelude to this one. That thread being a vehicle for people to air their dirty laundry (i.e the 'bad' things they ate) in a fun and humorous way.. Showing that all people are equal and all people deviate from their diets occasionally. Its meant to be fun... It was also a way of people venting in a non-judgemental environment and to stave off the 'flaming' which occurs for some peoples food choices. Categorising it as 'amounting to nothing', I feel, is a bit harsh. Some people have enjoyed it... Maybe it's not for you - and that is entirely your prerogative. This post? This is about people who intentionally covet the sympathy of others by falsely eluding to the end of the world being nigh.. because they ate some frosting and now they feel 'depressed'... Maybe it doesn't get on your nerves - maybe it does? But it sure as hell gets on mine, so I thought I'd have a little rant about it! And why not?!!!

Yeah, apologies for the 'British -isms'! My man says 'Y'all'.. 'cause he's a card-carrying southerner - so you never know, I could be on your turf one day soon! I don't wish to be a 'stirrer of pots'.. I just say it as I see it - hopefully with a bit of humour. Which, it appears, seems to get people very excitable! Nothing says it more eloquently than this picture... And, as long as you're funny - feel free to whine away!

Posting your progress, is certainly not a negative. It's a positive and it should be congratulated! Saying the sky is going to fall in because you had a tootsie roll, is just not cool... And I saw your pictures. They were awesome

I likened it to children spitting their dummies out and throwing their toys out of the pram. They're elected for a higher purpose - to serve the people. Not to whinge and whine and disable the country. El-tosseurs....

Absolutely shocking behaviour for people who are supposedly working for the greater good of the nation... We can't believe it over here...

Oh, I know who she is now.. The crazy Republican chick! Nice! Miley Cyrus? Not so nice...

Okay, I have NO idea who Michelle Bachman is... Does that make me un-cool?

it does, honey, it does. Come day 5-7, you'll feel pretty chirpy - or chirpier. The water goes down better, the panic cloud lifts, you'll be eating a bit of yoghurt and whatever else you can get down.. The evenings are bad, because that's when you do your healing and recuperating. Just sit back, take a painkiller or two and relax. You don't have to achieve anything other than getting better. I'm 19 days out now and still feel a bit tired.. But the food options are increasing! Yay!!!!! x