Madam Reverie

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!

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

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

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