LilMissDiva Irene

Everyone, When you agree to make posts here at Vertical Sleeve Talk, you agree to maintain a certain code of conduct. This means you will not attack other member which includes name calling. This is a support website, however that doesn't mean all responses are going to be what you may want to hear. As long as the response is done with courtesy and respect, please take it for what it is meant to be. The truth isn't always pleasant, however it's all in how the message is delivered. As long as it is not done in a rude or disrespectful manner then you either can reply in kind or not reply at all. I would prefer not to have to close this thread. It is a very good question and one I do believe many pre-op Sleevers may need to know about. Thanks to all for your continued contributions to VST. Forum Rules: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

I am a food addict. Or should I say I have an addictive personality. If I enjoy something I have an intense drive to over do it. I don't know why this is, but I am working really hard to fix it. I. AM. NOT. PERFECT. But, I will admit I have problems in my head and I need to fix them. I am posting the 12 Steps of Addiction Recovery. Know them, learn them, live them. The 12 Steps Step 1 - We admitted we were powerless over our addiction - that our lives had become unmanageable Step 2 - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity Step 3 - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God Step 4 - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves Step 5 - Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs Step 6 - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character Step 7 - Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings Step 8 - Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all Step 9 - Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others Step 10 - Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it Step 11 - Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out Step 12 - Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs Where I found this information: http://www.12step.org/ Source: The 12 Steps Of Addiction Recovery

I am a food addict. Or should I say I have an addictive personality. If I enjoy something I have an intense drive to over do it. I don't know why this is, but I am working really hard to fix it. I. AM. NOT. PERFECT. But, I will admit I have problems in my head and I need to fix them. I am posting the 12 Steps of Addiction Recovery. Know them, learn them, live them. The 12 Steps Step 1 - We admitted we were powerless over our addiction - that our lives had become unmanageable Step 2 - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity Step 3 - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God Step 4 - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves Step 5 - Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs Step 6 - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character Step 7 - Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings Step 8 - Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all Step 9 - Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others Step 10 - Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it Step 11 - Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out Step 12 - Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs Where I found this information: http://www.12step.org/

I can't view videos at work (boo!!) but I truly believe we can all be very susceptible to other addictions post op. Once "food" is taken away and if issues aren't worked through we can find something else to numb our senses. Such as shopping, sex, being online too much, attention seeking, soft foods (high in sugar - easily digestible), working out (I may fall into this category myself and have been working hard to slow it down), and much much more. Things I look out for is/are: How much time am I spending doing (insert vice here)?, is it interfering with friendships/relationships?, am I not having enough time left over to do necessities such as house cleaning/bills/work?, could it be another way to harm my health both mentally or physically? All of these things should be considered when deciding if it's just too much. Thanks for sharing! This is an incredibly important subject for Post Op mental and physical health.

Its in the Pre-op & Post-op Diets section Here's a link: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/28139-the-basics-boot-camp/

I can easily get in about 40 Oz in a workout session now. I'm going on 2 years post op this summer. I don't believe it was until around 6 months post op that I was able start gulping though not as much as right now. I can gulp almost a third of a 16 oz bottle so long as nothing else is in my stomach at the time. That said, it felt like I'd never get here! So I definitely understand how you feel. Rest assured though it will happen eventually. For now though definitely take your time with sipping.

Onederland is when you reach a weight that starts with a 1 instead of a 2, or 3.. etc. 199 Lbs or less.

Here's the obvious ones: VSG = Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy VST = Vertical Sleeve Talk MFP = My Fitness Pal GB = Gastric Bypass DS = Doudenal Switch LB = Lap Band LBT = Lap Band Talk NSV = Non scale Victory (Nice moments of weight loss not including the number on the scale)

We need a complete list of acronyms used here. Please assist by placing out some suggestions. I will give it a weeks time and compile the list. I will also pin it so it's easy to find in THIS forum (most used) Thanks in advance to all helping out!!

I just sent some friend requests out! Again, anyone is welcome to send me one. Please let me know where you found me though, thanks!

Liquids in / Liquids out. I'm sure you're okay!

Fabulous! Congrats on all of your success to date. Just being able to feel normal is one of the best NSV's and getting our health back. WOOHOO!!

You need to start measuring your food right away, and stick to it. Be careful, you can seriously hurt yourself over doing it. Keep that in your mind as you feel you want to start going over board. You can put yourself in the hospital for weeks. *hugs*

Excellent news! How exciting for you Time will fly so in the mean time continue to get acclimated here with what to expect post op. Though there will not be anything like going through it. Stay strong!

Excellent news! Keep us updated on how you're doing.

I would like to nominate: Tiffykins She has been a catalyst for this website since day one. IMO has made it what it is, even though she has been quiet lately. It was she who motivated me to use my Sleeve to the best of my ability! She's pregnant with her 2nd baby Post OP and I think she can bring a lot of hope to many women here who are doing this for pregnancy hopes. Also her candidness keeps everyone in touch with the reality of Weight Loss Surgery and her knowledge is just out of this world. favoredone She is a light beacon! Her positivity is absolutely radiant and her eloquence touches so many here. She is very special and I'm sure she'd be able to write something very nice about her journey thus far. sleeve 4 me Again another amazing member who always expresses her Faith and brings so much hope and positivity to the forums. Her journey has been incredible and her keeping the weight off for going on 2 years post op, she's doing fantastic. She gives hope for the future of the sleeve!!

LOL!!! You're right, she'll probably bail out a few times before she sticks around. It's okay though, you've got her in your grasp. Congrats!

Weight loss should not be about a number on a scale nor a number inside a pair of pants. It SHOULD be about life changing moments, and coming to terms with what brought us here. If we do not do that, we will always run the risk of putting those pounds back on. Something brought us to the point where we realized it was out of control, work out those issues, and make your goal about fixing that. The rest of your life and keeping the weight off depends on it. Sexy is how you feel on the inside... not what you wear on the outside.

Yes it's nice getting here, Size 6, 4, 2... I even fit in some 0's. Hey, I won't give it back for anything - but really is SHOULD be about your health first. Keep in mind too a lot is going to change on your way down. I posted something this morning that I think you might appreciate. Sexy is how you feel on the inside... not what you wear on the outside. It takes a lot to finally understand that statement. A million emotions and situations go into that one tiny sentence. Being happy because you had to strength to take your life back, you will see will become priority. It IMO should not be tied into a number inside a pair of jeans.

Hey Rootman, I'm so terribly sorry to hear you're going through some really tough times. I have some fur babies too and no, it's never easy having to say good bye and let them go. I know nothing I say can make it any better, I just want to know I'll keep your well wishes in my thoughts and in hopes you can stay stronger than the situation. It is really hard not to feed our pain... I wish I had an answer to that one but I don't. Wishing you and you dear Wife the best.

I think if you click on the actual ticker in your signature line it should lead you to update? I believe that's the case, I don't have a VST ticker but is the case with ticker factory. Congrats on Onederlan!!!

Yep! You can start it anytime.

I have been on my WLS Journey since the Summer of 2007. I have encountered and overcome many ups and downs, but I have come to realize it's the LESSONS I've learned along the way that have made me the woman I am today. Not losing all of the weight, not getting fit and not even becoming comfortable with who I am. I have learned: How I feel about myself on the inside will ALWAYS reflect how my body looks on the outside. This is why I always fight to look strong. How my spirit is dressed on the inside will always match what I wear on the outside. This is why I always maintain a respectful and nice wardrobe. How my Soul is fed will always be a testimony to how I treat my loved ones and my friends. This is why I will always keep it real, regardless of how the outcome might befall. How my inner world is organized and kept will always be spilled to my outside world. This is why I always make sure my house & home, and where ever I spend a significant amount of time is clean, in all ways possible.

Fantastic!!! I know stall STINK big time! But the day it breaks is like Earth shaking.. haha Keep fighting! Congrats on 30 lost too, thats fantastic!!

Excellent NSV!! Clothing ones have always gotten me the most excited. Keep it up!