Vim's Umbrella - Page 6 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Vim&Vigour · 02-10-2009, 06:56 AM

Thank you Sara! You are taking up the mantle and keeping TT on the UK agenda!
Before you'll know it, you'll be in my present footsteps!
Keep well!
Cheers,
Vim

Godsblessedme · 02-10-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

The grass is not greener, it is different... I've been there, I've done that, I've moved on. And so it seems have done many of my TT contemporaries. A sign of health. And it in no way takes away an immense loyalty to TT Motherland...

Vim you have the most beautiful way with words i LOVE reading your words and they inspire me to write to the best of my own ability. I'm glad your life is fullfilling and you are seeking out new and better pastures. I for one will miss you and hope i can do the same

Vim&Vigour · 03-25-2009, 09:43 AM

At nearly 16 months out, I feel the cold so much, especially within 10 minutes of finishing my meals... My nails are tinged blue, my feet frozen...

Remedies???

SILK
blouses, tops, vests, scarves.
In Summer a SILK comforter regulates the temperature, is lightweight and always "just the right thing". It is also very easy to pack, especially when staying over with friends who are more hot blooded and less in need...

CASHMERE
cardigans, sweaters, wraps, gowns...

FEATHERS!!!

Yes! but Goose Down! The lightest, warmest feathers (makes me a real "bird" if not a "chick"!) interlock warmth, ideal against the wind and when not used as a coat, I put my legs in the sleeves and the coat portion on my knees when I travel by train etc.
I sleep with a winter or summer weight "comforter"/duvet, so light and easy.

Thin layers of mixed cotton, wool, silk, cashmere, feathers... AND LOVE!

As to the BARLEY BAGS!

Fill a baby's rectangular pillow case with BARLEY, sew the edge up tight and voila, there you have a marvellous bean bag which you can stick in the microwave (up to 4 minutes provided you have a big pillowcase). It is worth having a relatively full bag, heavy and thick enough to wrap around your neck. You can put it around your neck, in the small of your back, on/under your feet, on your stomach, in your lap, under your hands, in your bed before you get in, in your clothes before you dress to warm them up, in the car seat, take with you on a walk, to sporting events....
WARNING: it is important that you check the length in the microwave in relation to your quantity of barley. There is a risk of burning your barley and then it stinks - as well as being a risk of fire!

The barley bag is a great pick me up when I am tired, stressed as I snuggle with it and relax. Great comfort too when watching tv...

Aviator · 03-25-2009, 11:06 AM

Vim, I think you need to move to Texas. Toasty warm here.
BTW - I was in London last week. The weather was delightful. I walked all over Hyde Park. Bought Bones a little bauble at Selfridge's.

Bones and I will be one week in London in late July on holiday. We haven't "done London" for a few years. Any suggestions for things to do? Probably will be staying over in Picadilly.

Vim&Vigour · 03-25-2009, 11:53 AM

Hej Avi!
Thank you for the Texan recommendation! Wish I could move lock stock and barrel but I do love it in the UK!
Yes, last week the weather was wonderful but this week is considerably colder and windy! Lousy forecast for the weekend alas...
Glad you thought to spoil your lady - oil in the wheels!
I've sent you a visitor's message - would be great if we could manage to meet up end July...
Another good reference point: "Time Out" (Time Out - City travel guides to hotels, restaurants, shops and events)
Cheers,
Vim

Aviator · 03-28-2009, 03:49 AM

And for the visitor message. The London Walks thing looks fascinating as does Time Out. London Walks is in keeping with the idea of getting exercise while traveling. We would like to make a daytrip out into the countryside and that is perfect.

Will definitely take advantage of the Time Out guide as well.. We just finalized our itinerary, and will be staying at the La Meridian Picadilly.

Last year we went to Paris in late July, and I was near my highest weight. By day 4, I was almost dead from exhaustion. All my walking parts were screaming at me: feet, legs, back...you name it, it hurt. At this writing, Im down 55 lbs, and hope to be down 80 (five stone five), by the time we return to London. Also, Im walking regularly, so hopefully the pain factor of walking everywhere for a week will be minimized.

Vim&Vigour · 07-22-2009, 04:40 PM

When I joined in November 2007, there were just about 5000 members, if my memory serves me well… and now, as I type this there are 10,578 members…

Thinner Times Forum was 20 months ago, one of the major bariatric surgery forums and the most valuable source of information in the research of, in Europe, a relatively limited intervention. Most of the members I encountered on TT were strongly motivated to change their lives and went to great lengths to educate themselves in the quest of making the difference. As Newbies, all sorts of technical questions arose in the fields of nutrition, surgery procedures, recovery aspects, handling methods for dumping and side-effects, emotional development and appreciation of “wow” moments which were lost on the world at large. The whole beauty of the Forum was specifically that it was a place where we could, in confidence, discuss embarrassing concerns such as stools, vomit, sagging skin and protein without burdening our non-operated family and friends. We made our own virtual friends who understood nearly exactly what we felt as their experiences were similar. And like wine production and classes at school, some waves produced better “vintages” than others, by that I mean certain TTF members hit it off and have stuck together, forging deep bonds that have lasted to this day.

A handful of rotten apples have created threads to be locked, a sad amount of back-stabbing, innuendoes and division on this Forum. That is to be found in any similar set up. These nasty tones have led many less Newbies to not log in as frequently and lose interest altogether. However, many Newbies have become fully-fledged “Old-Timers” with a confident outlook on life and sufficiently empowered not to need to check in every five minutes onto this Forum. I for one. And now I understand the “them and us” which I regret. It being that I infrequently log in, I will naturally gravitate to the sections which are relevant to my stage of post-surgery and look out for my fellow members who were newbies alongside myself. Because my life is full and busy, and because the amount of members has more than doubled, I am guilty of not welcoming each and every Newbie as I used to and do not follow all the new threads, mainly because I have been there and done that. Instead I look to my cronies and the divide happened without my noticing. Without making excuses, I understand how many of my contemporaries have equally drifted off these boards and participate less. We are “tired” of the umpteenth time of the same “dumb” questions being asked, even though we too posed them ourselves in our day. Newbies do not necessarily seem to be aware how to search this Forum to find out whether the same questions have been asked previously. However, I put my hands up… The nature of gastric surgery has changed in 20 months – it is far more common, available and public awareness is much greater than less than 2 years ago. The Forum that I joined was far more “elite” in its clientele seeking forcefully a new direction in our lives and determined to make that vital change. Today the “cash and carry” “supermarket” attitude has crept in by my impression. What worries me is that the impact of weight loss surgery remains just as crucial and requires just as much commitment and EDUCATION as it did 2 years ago but many Newbies are not aware of the life-changing nature of our operations, both physically and emotionally.

I am going to write to our amazing Administrator John Callery to ask him to strengthen the membership admission process. By that, I suggest that each request for membership will only be granted after the Newbie has “read” a selection of “awareness” articles, a sort of manual, so that the basic questions and answers are dealt with before being admitted. We need to maintain high quality and standard on these boards because there are so many of us in this family to nurture. It would be a pity to skip Newbies because the Old-Timers are too tired to sift through the newcomers and miss making interesting new friendships.

Just my two cents.

Cheers,
Vim
______

Phoenixfire · 07-22-2009, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vim&Vigour

I arrived some 3000 members ago, hot on the tail of Gwen, Claire-in-Texas, Corrine, Duckie, Donna SDGrl, JerseyGirl, PhoenixFire, Fisher1000, OmahaJim, I_love_Kitty etc... They too are still around...

Yep, even months after your post above, I'm still here, off and on again as life goes on.

I didn't say it when you posted the above, so I want to say now that it feels sooooooooo WONDERFUL to hear that a successful patient like you has been helped by me and appreciates me for being here. This place changes a lot, as all things do I suppose, but it's still the most valuable online site for us WLS people.

I've been feeling rather contemplative myself these last couple months, so bear with me while I wax on here in my post.

I have a moral compass of sorts, even an obligation I think, that keeps me active in this community. Yes, even in spite of the frustration that some posts bring out in me! Like you said in an earlier post here, some of us are encouragers, or teachers, or leaders. Good way to put it when it comes to why some old-timers who are success stories are still here. I imagine some wonder why old-timers hang around. I sincerely feel that I am VALUED here, and feeling valued is something we ALL need in life. And I do feel an obligation of sorts. Not sure where that comes from exactly, but it is what it is and that's a good enough answer for me!

Of course I'm glad that you do come around now and again, because I REALLY miss many of the people who used to be active but have disappeared. It's good to see you today, and I'm glad I found the quoted post above. IT MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO ME. Especially right now in my life with what I have on my plate.

P.S. I'd sure like to see your "membership form" suggestion come to fruition. I doubt it will happen, but it would sure be a great help to the community if it did come about!

Be well, and know that when you pop back in and post it's much appreciated by this old-timer friend on TT.

Phoenixfire · 07-22-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vim&Vigour

many Newbies have become sufficiently empowered not to need to check in every five minutes onto this Forum.
...
We are “tired” of the umpteenth time of the same “dumb” questions being asked
...
Newbies do not necessarily seem to be aware how to search this Forum to find out whether the same questions have been asked previously.
...
many Newbies are not aware of the life-changing nature of our operations, both physically and emotionally.
...
I suggest that each request for membership will only be granted after the Newbie has “read” a selection of “awareness” articles, a sort of manual, so that the basic questions and answers are dealt with before being admitted.
...
We need to maintain high quality and standard on these boards
...
Just my two cents.

LOL, between the two of us that makes FOUR cents.

All the things I quoted above are exactly how I feel about the forum right now. I feel frustrated and very left out. Yes, an old-timer feeling left out. Some may not understand that...but you do.

You've articulated what a lot of us here feel in a way that's tactful and accurate. You nailed it. Kudos to you for being honest, even knowing that your politely worded and honest post will be considered unkind/rude/offensive (or whatever) to some newer folks.

It's just not politically correct for some of us to have our own "group" or whatever...like we're being snobs or something. WE'RE NOT. We're just dealing with a whole bunch of other stuff that people preop or newly postop aren't even aware of or facing right now. They will later, but not now like we are!

I REALLY wish there were more people on here that are YEARS postop. We STILL need support, information, guidance, answers and help! We have a different cross to bear, as SidC said in his thread, and frankly I'm very disappointed that I can't post on here to get the kind of support that I NEED at this 7 year postop stage.

I'm tired of reading response posts from preop and newly postop people who have no answer to contribute, but nonetheless that just HAVE to post something! Seriously...enough already! Or those that load up the board unnecessarily because they have to, as you said, "check in every five minutes on the Forum." WHY????!!! It just makes so many damn posts/threads to wade through in order to find the nuggets of wisdom or help connecting with those members who are in a similar spot on the journey postop.

When people who are only a year or so postop read how I feel, when I happen to (like now) be honest by opening up and posting about how I feel, they get annoyed. I hate that. Hell maybe it's just me...or maybe it's in my delivery, when I write about my discontent???? I'd like to think that on the whole I'm tactful, kind and considerate enough here!

Thank you for coming around today. I appreciate the place here, in your thread, to talk about how I'M feeling. I hope you're okay with me jumping in here like this on your thread...we're in a similar spot it seems. And besides, its unlikely that a mob of newer members will read this here and then get offended and angry. My goal is not to anger anyone. I just want to be a part of the forum by GETTING as much as I try to GIVE.

VanessaSFL · 07-22-2009, 07:34 PM

Hi Vim, I just wanted to say hello.Miss seeing you around. Hope this finds you well.
Take Care~
VPA