ObesityHelp UK and Ireland
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Hello all,
First, let me start with an apology for being so absent for so long from the boards. I have been having some life drama. I guess we all get to go through it at one time or another! I am a newlywed with a new body and living in a new country. As if that wasn’t enough-my husband’s ex-wife is VERY difficult.
I am sure many of you have been in a similar situation (possibly?). Hubby has two lovely children 12 and 9. The ex wife is VERY unstable and even though she ended the relationship several years ago-she is NOT happy that hubby is getting on with his life-and she is very threatened at the thought of me as step-mum, even though I have got to be one of the least threatening folks you will ever meet!
I am afraid I have had to endure some trauma from a person who is causing trouble I am not accustomed to dealing with.
It has been hard, but we have lots of support and we just try and focus on the kids and how best to help them along.
This has taken up much time, emotion and effort. I am afraid I have forgotten about taking good care of me.
I know-I have now shared some really personal stuff-but that is life and it is part of my journey. This is a place where I want all of us to be able to talk about life as it is and also as we hope it to be.
I also wanted to explain that there have been reasons for me not really being “present".
So-now with that all out of the way, it’s time for me to step back into MY life and remember that I have GOT to take care of my mind, body and spirit-even during the tough times. I just wanted to commit to being sure to participate in this wonderful group we have here.
I have managed to maintain my weight-with the 5-10 lb shifts up and down. I would really prefer to keep that at a 5 lb shift-so I am refocusing on being healthy and taking CARE of myself!
It's funny-but I do think stress has a way of causing us to be sort of toxic. I just had been feeling so run-down and tired. I know that is because I am not taking care of my mind and getting the support I need from others that understand.
OH is the best place I know for support and understanding. And this UK /Ireland site was built in hopes that we could get a wonderful group together and talking and being healthy!!
I see we have had some folks participating and I want to THANK You for being consistent and not giving up on our board. It means lots to me and I know it will have meant lots to others who are finding their way here.
So-back to my water intake where it should be. Back to getting some WALKING in. I am such a stress-case and I tend to over work (work from home at a computer) as a diversion. Not healthy!! :)
I wish some of you were CLOSE enough to be my walking buddy!! I lived here over a year now and haven't really met any close mates yet. I know it takes time-and I will keep working on that. It would HELP if I left the house occasionally! LOL! :)
Thanks for listening-I just wanted to update a bit.
Cheers and hugs,
T
I see we are starting to get more VSG folks-and that is GREAT! I think we are nearly represented by ALL surgery types.
Some folks do take longer to recover. I think we tend to forget just how MAJOR this surgery is for us. We have to really take time and care with getting back to ourselves. And even then-we will find out we are changing indeed!!
Please feel free to share and post whatever you would like!!
Cheers!
Therese
I will tell you that I am my GP's ONLY WLS patient. She must see MANY many folks each day. She was honest and said she knows very little about it. It seems to be the way-so that makes ....TWO folks wtih WLS in the UK. You and me. LOL!
Seriously-I appreciate this thread, because I am wondering too. I would REALLY like to go to a support group in person for WLS, but am not even sure where to start looking.
Looking forward to seeing what other say!
Hugs,
T
We live in a small village with a ruined Abbey in Carmarthenshire. The nearest shop is nine miles away and it's very quiet.
Been overweight all my life, diabetic, high blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia and sleep apnoea. I really want to be around to enjoy retirement with my wife, Janice and help Alex to grow and find himself.
So... vsg 21/02/10, still at home at the moment but should be back at work in the next two weeks. Lost 37 lbs so far with a total loss target of 98. My Insulin requirements have dropped from 280 to 110 units a day and I'm not taking any tablets for diabetes at the moment. I was taking Starlix and Metformin before the op.
Making small quantities of food last is a problem, I have always tended to eat very quickly. Last night I ate a meal replacement bar in about five minutes and brought it back up five minutes after that. I'm in the transition phase between soft lumps and normal diet, so will make myself some sort of thick soup tonight. I have been looking forward to a piece of toast with real Welsh salted butter since the op, just ate it and it was such a disappointment! I am trying to take enjoyment from other things rather than food, but it's going to be an uphill struggle.
This year I have taken up life drawing and painting, next year I intend to start fly fishing again. I gave it up when Alex was born. He of course wants me to teach him all I know ( Should take about 30 seconds!). There is something very satisfying about building your own rod and catching a fish with it and a fly that you have tied yourself, then smoking, cooking and eating the fish at the side of the lake or river! I've just finished a course in photography and am toying with the possibility of an Arts or Photography Degree when I retire, purely for fun. I also enjoy archery, pistol shooting, reading, writing poetry and cooking.
I've just bought a book on cooking with almond flour. I am going to start experimenting with cooking with this high protein, low carbohydrate flour, so any tips would be gratefully received. Paul.
On the main OH boards, people talk of "my surgery" and "my best friend's wls" and "my work colleague's surgery " etc. etc.. It seems wls is becoming the norm!
Here in the UK, I have met three fellow bandsters (through OH) and one RNY�(through OH). I don't personally have any friends, relatives, colleagues with wls at all. Other than through OH, i would have thought I was the only wls patient in the UK!
My doc asked me to talk at a seminar for would-be wls people and he advertised it in the local papers, local GP surgeries and did a talk on local radio. Not one single person asked to come!! In the US they have to turn them away!!
Why?There are plenty of obese Brits!
My ideas - we aren't used to paying for medical things; the NHS is not all that enthusiastic about paying for us; we don't have a culture of surgery other than medically essential and obesity is not seen as that.
Kate
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
Welcome! We don't know until we do it how we will feel post-op - hope you get back on your feet soon.
And so refreshing to see the date written UK style!! As a lapand board regular for almost 4 years, I now think i pounds not stones and write the date the US way!!
Kate
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
x
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Miss Redd
Group Leader
Kate -True
Group Leader