Madam Reverie

And.. so.. Did someone mention Miley Cyrus? I'd like to mention just how much I loathe Justin Bieber. Just sowing the seeds, people. Sowing the seeds...

I asked this very question and my crew said 'we have never stopped a surgery because of someones liver'.. So i guess, you're good... As for the hair loss.. this is a tough one. Some people have it.. Some people don't. Its all about your protein levels and sometimes the shock of the surgery. Unfortunately, you just can't tell - but you can help it by following your diet plan, taking a few supplements and hoping for the best. Good luck! x

THAT is a very good idea!

It's a bit scary.. but you've done it. Fabulous! Welcome to the losers bench! Its tough at the start, but nirvana is around the corner, treacle. Hold tight it's an exciting ride x

lol Don't worry, I'm not on the defensive - just clarifying my position. It is very easy for threads to morph, a bit like chinese whispers, because someone's 'take' on it engineers the original sentiment away from what was truly intended and then others jump on board. This is how flaming starts and why I clarified my position. As for the posts you mention - they're not the ones that 'get my goat'- if you will. Albeit they're annoying (and I, like you, tend to ignore) Its the one who advertise the smallest eating plan infraction as if the end of the world is nigh.... Experience is good. As they say 'every day is a school day'. Thankfully and hopefully, that applies to all of us. Oh and as this is my thread! <pokes her tongue out> There'll be no flaming! Else I'll have to turn green again. And you wouldn't like me when I'm green! Now, can we all feel the love please and as Miley Cyrus does - stick our tongues out and twerk in unison?! <we shall overlook the fact that she only found out what 'twerking' was 48 hours ago>

Okay, i'll take this a bit at a time: I believe BtB was referring to the thread directed from the pinned thread at the top of the Rants and Raves forum. http://www.verticals...e-for-everyone/ Yep, I went straight for the general forum rules - which still technically apply. However, I give credence to what has been written at the top of the Rants and Raves section and understand why it has been put there. In my defence, my rant is not a personal one. It is not in reply to a specific post and I don't believe it would prevent anyone from airing their questions in the general forum. Fundamentally, if people have noticed it and found it to have a 'personal' effect, it has obviously resonated on some level? Madam, you are a relative freshy here at VST, so you have not lived through the highs and lows of the dozens of other threads which have addressed this topic over the many, many months. This gets to be quite a heated topic and the moderators are quite passionate (rightly so) about it. I am fresh here, with fresh eyes and being the person I am, am unlikely to get embroiled in the misconstrued too-ings and fro-ings and flaming sessions which occur over what were originally innocuous posts. Primarily, it's not my style and as I have publicly stated, are deeply unhelpful. I do find it interesting, however, that despite the familiarity with the forum rules, that they tend to involve a lot of the people who are, themselves, considered 'well established' on the forums. ​ The fear is that someone who is on the fence about something they are struggling with will not post because they are afraid of getting a response such as this. This is not a response. This is an independent observation, in a completely unrelated thread, which directly deals with those who see fit to dress up the most benign issues as life-threatening events. They, themselves, need to show due courtesy to those who genuinely require advice and support. Not everyone has the same background or personality. Some are meeker and more sensitive whilst others are more straightforward and bold. The moderators are trying to create an environment which is conducive to all. Agreed and yes, they are absolutely right to do so. However, I repeat that this is a separate thread, is not a specific attack against one person and is on a page designed for it. However, if people find that as a consequence of stumbling across my ramblings, they are going to stop posting; then I draw you to my previous comment: 'if people have noticed it... have...obviously felt it resonate on some level?' I totally understand where you are coming from. I just came back from taking a several month break from the site and within a day I was getting flamed when a member only posted a picture of chips. I didn't understand the point and was direct. Everybody then climbs on me including several people on this thread who are agreeing with your post. We are the most dysfunctional family I have ever seen here at VST, but we do need to try to work together. You're absolutely right, we do. However, I concede that if people want to make self-indulgent posts, the test of how people feel about it, is in the responses it attracts. On that basis, I offer the same measure for this post, too. As for the thread involving the picture of the chips, I read it. As is too often, it degenerated into a deeply-unhelpful flaming session which benefitted no one. Ergo, if I'm going to make a statement, I make it off thread, non-personal and, I hope, relatively measured - if not dressed with a modicum of sarcasm and humour. Don't be afraid to take a break once and a while. It does me good, perhaps it can work for you, too. Thank you for the advice, sincerely. I'm glad the break did you good - if albeit you were straight into a flaming session on your immediate return. I think I'm okay at this juncture. Whilst I'm a lady of leisure, it happily passes some time and usually proves amusing and well natured. Be assured, however, the moment I start taking people out personally or get embroiled in 'thread-spats', I'll be sure to get some therapy - if not a piece of pizza!

Much awesomeness. Congrats x

Forum Rule 1: VerticalSleeveTalk Posting Guidelines 1. Everyone has a right to speak regardless of their perspective.... Ergo why it went into the 'Raves and Rants' section.... I have no desire to call someone a failure or say they exploded their sleeve - THAT is an attack. I wanted to express my angst at attention-seeking individuals. There is nothing personal or identifiable about it. It's a general rant. As for wasting my time? I don't think it is. Primarily, because if this one post (which is not directed at any specific person) resonates, then maybe they'll think twice before writing their self-serving whinges - when as LV identified, there are people out there that genuinely deserve everyones care, compassion and attention....

I am the wicked fairy, Lipstick

Its the hole that they dragged your stomach out of. They also tether something to your stomach wall around that port, so it is always more sore than the other ones. It'll go in two weeks. Just hold it gently as you move about. A heat pad really helped me the first few days. As for the dressing - if water got underneath it - have a wash, gently pat and reapply a fresh dressing. You don't want that one festering... Glad you're doing well, Nathalie. Don't worry too much about what you can consume. Just try your best to get the liquids and perhaps some natural yoghurt in x

You're not whinging about it - that's the difference. You're having a crap time and you called it (I remember your post about your highly insensitive friend). You're not mealy mouthed. THAT is what does my head in.. Give me straight up any day of the week over whingey-whiney-self-indulgent-calls for faux sympathy over a chip.... Hold tight, LV x

Oh, LV. Sounds like you're having a bad day... As for the 'I ate a cookie' post... I wouldn't say it sent me 'over the top'.. I don't believe this post is 'over-the-top'. It was the last in a string of posts that have made me groan. So i called it...

LV - it's not combative. It's an observation of what gets on my nerves. As for your personal issues, please see above where I wrote: 'if you're having serious addiction issues - then that's a WHOLE different ball game and there's not a person on the planet that won't do all they can (within the limits of this medium and geography) to help.' With reference to: 'falling off of the wagon eating a carb laden food is the beginning of the end for some.. It's really hard to know by just reading a post and forming an opinion about it. ' It is easy to form an opinion when someone is whinging about one cracker and have form for attention-seeking whinging. If they said 'I have eaten a whole packet and keep going back for more', it changes the game. I'm sorry you have a food addition. As I said above, it's no picnic and there's not a person out there that wouldn't help. But I think it is very evident when people are being self-indulgent. Self-indulgent in their eating and self-indulgent in their coveting of sympathy on this website. As for 'having it all figured out'. As I said above: 'If you're clever enough to work out that these aren't good nutritional ratios, then you're smart enough to know that you shouldn't be eating it. ' If I recognise that is becoming tough for me to do - I'll be looking for psychotherapy. Not for platitudinal 'pats on the back' from unknowns...

Many thanks, darlings. I just had to say it as it is... Super BonBon - My advice for your number 2 if anyone were silly enough to ask me, would be to 'go and have a number 2' Redbean - You're welcome to come and whine at me all you like! Just don't tell me you've eaten half a lettuce leaf and you're feeling 'guilty'!

As Vicky said.. Get some orange juice in you and quick. Give it 15 minutes and if you still feel horrid, get on the phone to someone. x

lol Yeah, all whist riding my bike naked, one-handed and singing the national anthem x

I feel for you, darlin'. You definitely need to reach out for some tangible and realistic support where you live. Firstly and as these good people above have stated - you need to go back to the people who supplied the surgical procedure in the first instance and ask them about bariatric support mechanisms. Secondly, go and see your local GP and in addition to getting a prescription; find out where local and free support groups for depression/anxiety are. You could even google it. A lot of these groups are often supported by local religious societies and are free. Once you find out where all the free support groups are, get yourself a little diary or create a timetable for the week and FILL IT with things to do. Even if it's a walk for an hour, a long bath, attendance at a group, attendance at a free lecture at your local library or university, go to a gallery? You need to be out and busy so you don't have to stare at your fridge and its contents. Maybe tell your partner what is going on and ask if he'd help you with it? Telling someone who is close to you, face to face, shares the burden and can make you feel lighter and more ready to face the task ahead. Besides, it's nice to have a partner in crime You're sounding like you're in the depths of a pretty hefty depression, my love and the only way you can climb out of those depths is to reach out. You've taken the first step by being honest on here and if we could, we'd all mobilise to assist in any way we could. However, this one you're going to have to take the first tentative steps in getting a grip of yourself. I'm not going to smother you with platitudes. You're cognizant of the downward spiral you've found yourself in and you've got clarity enough to be able to articulate it effectively. Sadly, you're going to have to grab the issue by the balls and talk to people who can actively help you... The first step has been recognising the situation and you have done that. Just a few more steps and you will make progress and the clouds will lift.. Promise. Hang on in there, honey x

I am day 18. I have had.. (wait for it), a cupcake, half a cheese burger, two vodka water and apple-juices, 5 mini cocktail sausages, toast with ham and a very small slither of cake. Am i beating myself up over it? No. Should I have eaten these things? Probably not. Will the world stop revolving as I'm still under 700 calories a day? Definitely not. It's a cookie. I know you feel bad, but a little perspective is required here.... clamber back up on that wagon and keep pumpin' the protein. You'll forget it all in about, ooh, say, 20 minutes...

Yep, I hear ya. 18 days out and I think I'd sell a kidney for a big bowl of crunchy mixed salad with grilled goats cheese and balsamic dressing!

Aww, thank you, Taylokat. Sadly, my mother has every clue and the box they came in.... She be a very smart lady. Probably why my father felt so emasculated most of the time! Muahahahaha. His fault for being slow on the uptake and well, male

Why, thank you, KrittyKratt! Although in fairness, I wasn't trying to be funny in that one. I was stating a fact. I am that sad and I am that cold!

That is EXACTLY the excuse I've used to acquaintances where I am currently living (except the complications bit). When my mother arrives in a couple of months? (And I have to be careful here as she knows I already had my GB out in 2005) I shall be saying I have been diagnosed as having GERD and as a consequence; I can't eat bread, no carbonation, no beer, no wine, no fat, no sugar and have to eat small portions.. that kind of thing... which is why I have dropped some weight. :ph34r: Ta'daaa! The only fly in the ointment is the fact she's an ex nurse.... and hawk-eyed.... and super-clever... and.. my mother...

The best of luck, Mich. It's gonna be one helluva ride - hold tight!

I am loving that idea.. I shall try that tonight, for sure! Thank you! x

Oh, don't get me started on the Bieber... His attendance at boxing fights, his spitting on his fans... His trousers down by his ankles and walking like some sort of deformed chimp... I wish he'd just do the world (or namely, me) a favour and just end it all in a cliched drug fueled orgy in an overly-priced hotel room with his homies and his hoes... <and breathe....>