*susan*

That is great news. It drives me crazy how some companies wait until the last possible day to send out W2's! They know ey have to go out in January and that people are anxiously awaiting them, so why not be proactive and get them sent out early? Sent from my iPad using VST

Dr. Ortiz is a fabulous doctor. Congrats to all of you, we look forward to following your journeys to a healthier you! Sent from my iPad using VST

Mine only took a couple of weeks to come in, but I remember panicking the whole time until it did. Sent from my iPad using VST

Thank you so much for sharing your story, I am glad you are doing so well. Sent from my iPad using VST

This train wreck has gone way beyond derailed!

OP, I understand where you are coming from. You have no idea the number of people who have reached out to me about exactly what you are saying. I honestly use the same term myself sometime, if we are going to be honest. I am hearing from many people because sometimes they just come to our site, a "support" forum, just to vent, to see if others are experiencing what they are, etc., not to be made to feel like they are a failure because they took a bite of a doughnut. As I mentioned in another thread, I stepped away for a couple of hours tonight because my fiance and I went out for our weekly Saturday night bacon cheeseburger at Chili's, and guess what, it was happy hour and I had two White Russians as well. By definition of some, I should seek immediate counseling because I ate 1/4 of a bacon cheeseburger and drank alcohol on a Saturday while out enjoying life with my man and friends. But, oh well, I am still losing weight and I am happy and enjoying the hell out of my life, so I just brush it off. They do what is right for them, I do what is right for me and my best advice is that you do what is right for you. I got this surgery to live and be happy. 95% of the time, I make healthy choices, but I am human and go out with friends and enjoy a couple of drinks, a cheeseburger or pizza when I do. I have no guilt. I don't need counseling. The difference is now, I am happy with that 1/4 cheeseburger. I don't need to shove the whole thing down my mouth. I know this isn't the last time I will ever be able to enjoy one, so I am quite capable of eating in moderation. If some aren't able to do that, well, then perhaps it is better for them to stay away from those foods. But for those of us who are able to do that, and continue to be healthy and lose weight, well, you know... Now, with all that being said, the "horror story" thread and the "cheeseburger" thread have already gotten way out of hand. I have had more reported posts on those threads than I care to mention. If this one goes the same way, and everyone can't learn to communicate as adults, disagree without name calling and being abusive to one another, and have intelligent, respectful debates, then I won't hesitate to close all three topics.

I have a lot a could say about many of the posts, but no time right now. My fiancé and I are on our way out the door for our weekly bacon cheeseburger at Chili's. Sent from my iPad using VST

As mentioned in the other thread, I will do my best to monitor this forum closely. If you see new topics started here that relate more to those who are just starting out, let me know and I will be happy to move it to the appropriate forum.

Hey all, I am going to do my best to closely monitor this forum. If you see posts in here that are primarily related to people who are just starting out, please let me know and I will move it to the appropriate forum. Thanks.

Everyone, just a reminder of our forum rules which are located at http://www.verticals...tion=boardrules. Please pay particular attention to the following: 1. Everyone has a right to speak regardless of their perspective. 2. We take the "Be Polite" rule very seriously. We do not tolerate any rudeness. Any member who is intentionally unpleasant or disruptive may be banned without warning. 4. Obscenity and pornography will not be tolerated. If that’s what you’re after, there are plenty of places on the Internet to find it, and this forum isn't one of them. Please make sure all opinions are expressed without being obscene or offensive. 5. Members will treat each other with courtesy and respect, especially when they disagree. We understand that bright, intelligent and educated people may not always agree, but personal attacks in the form of insults, abusive language or other means of obvious harassment will not be tolerated. - Do not attack, mock, or otherwise insult others. You can respectfully disagree with the message or topic, but you cannot attack the messenger. This includes attacks against the user’s spelling or command of written English, or belittling a user for posting a duplicate topic. - If you are attacked by another user, and you reciprocate, you will also be subject to the same consequences. Defending yourself or a friend is not an excuse! Do not take matters into your own hands – instead, use the Report Post link to report an attack and we will be happy to handle the situation for you.

Many of our veteran sleever's have requested a forum dedicated to those who are further along with the sleeve. Therefore, I have added a new forum to give those of you who are six months out or more a place to discuss the issues that are specific to those who have been sleeved for a greater amount of time. To help ensure this forum is kept to veteran sleever's only, one must have a minimum of 100 posts before they can start or reply to a topic in this forum only. Here is the link to the new forum: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/352-sleeve-veterans-forum-new-forum/

Vertical Sleeve Talk was created as a place for people with a common goal to come together, seek advice and offer support to one another. It is a place where we want everyone to feel safe to ask questions, seek advice and gain support without the fear of being judged or ridiculed. In keeping that in mind, I would like to remind everyone of a few of our key rules: We take the "Be Polite" rule very seriously. We do not tolerate any rudeness. Any member who is intentionally unpleasant or disruptive may be banned without warning. Members will treat each other with courtesy and respect, especially when they disagree. We understand that bright, intelligent and educated people may not always agree, but personal attacks in the form of insults, abusive language or other means of obvious harassment will not be tolerated. Do not attack, mock or otherwise insult others. You can respectfully disagree with the message or topic, but you cannot attack the messenger. This includes attacks against the user's spelling or command of written English, or belittling a user for posting a duplicate topic. No hi-jacking topics. Please stay on-topic with a forum topic. Off-topic or derogatory remarks are disrespectful. Please either contribute politely and constructively to a topic, or move on without posting. We reserve the right to respond to violations of these guidelines by blocking and/or banning members from this forum. Violation of these guidelines may lead to disciplinary action. We reserve the right to delete or lock topics, to disable the posting privileges of any member, or to deny anyone use of our site at anytime, for any reason, at our discretion without warning or notice. Recently, there have been numerous topics created for the sole purpose of insulting, ridiculing and/or criticizing other members. Placing these topics in the Rants and Raves forum does not justify their creation. As stated above, the VST team members goals are to create a safe place for everyone to post. Many members have contacted us regarding their fear of asking questions, stating their concerns publicly, etc. because they are afraid they will see themselves later being mocked in another topic. That is not the environment we wish to create here. It is a violation of the above stated rules. And, in accordance with those rules, the moderators and administrators have agreed that any such threads will immediately be locked and removed. If any member continues to create such threads, they do so at the risk of their continued membership here on our forums. If you have any concern about a topic that has been locked and/or removed, you are welcome to contact a member of the VST team via private message to discuss those concerns. It is not appropriate to start a topic solely for the purpose of questioning topic closures, disciplinary actions and/or banning of members by the moderators and administrators of this forum. Threads such as those will also be locked and removed. The VST staff work very hard at keeping the forums a happy, safe and productive place for all, and we ask that in turn, you respect them and their decisions. Thank you.

Please refer to this topic: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/52406-vst-rules-keeping-the-forums-a-safe-place-for-everyone/

Please refer to this thread: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/52406-vst-rules-keeping-the-forums-a-safe-place-for-everyone/ There was also a sticky at the top of this forum referring to this. Thank you.

Welcome back, Fishy... Banned again.

Both excellent doctors! Sent from my iPad using VST

Oh goodness, yes, people do cheat. Does that mean it is okay to do so? Absolutely not. Your doctor doesn't put you on the post-op diet to torture you, it is done for good, solid medical reasons. You just had 3/4 of your stomach removed. It is being held together by a staple line and needs time to heal. Basically, the more solid your food, the harder your stomach has to work to digest it. It doesn't have to work very hard to digest liquids, thus it doesn't put excessive pressure, pulling, etc. on your new staple line and that gives it the time that is needed to heal. That is the reason for the post-op diet and the slow progression to the various stages of eating. If you don't follow your doctors guidelines, you are basically playing Russian Roulette with your life. There is no guarantee you will get a leak, but there is no guarantee you won't either. Leaks can be life-threatening. I understand how difficult the post-op diet can be, and I am not going to lecture or condemn you for what choices you make with your body. It is your body, you own it and nobody can force you to follow your doctors orders or not. However, my advice is to follow your doctors and nutritionists guidelines to a tee, they are only looking out for your best interest. And like them, I also want to see you succeed and live a long, healthy and happy life. Sent from my iPad using VST

If I had "self control" or was able to "get my addictions under control prior to surgery", then I wouldn't have needed the surgery. The sleeve is a tool, our brain wasn't sleeved, just our tummy. Everyone is different, everyone has different levels of willpower and self control. We cannot help the cravings we have, we try hard to fight the temptations, but sometimes we just need support from others who are going through what we are going through and advice on how they handled it, not a condemning lecture, just support. Sent from my iPad using VST

If you choose to share with others, that is fine. If you choose not to, that is fine as well. Everyone has their own personal reasons for choosing to share or not share. That is what is amazing about our bodies, it is the one thing we truly own and can choose to do with as we please. Your body, your choice. It is not my place to judge whether you choose to share you choice to have surgery with others, anymore than it is your place to judge me and whether I chose to share my choice. I also choose to be respectful of your choices, and not place labels upon you for those choices.

Topic closed.

Glad I could help!

At the top of the thread, towards the right of your screen, you should see a box that says "unfollow topic", click on it and you should be good to go.

This thread has gotten way out of hand. Tone it down and please refer to our rules as you are new and may not have had the opportunity to do yet. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules This is your only warning you will receive. Next action will be the issuing of bans,