VSG Maintenance Group

Recent Posts

PaulaW1965
on 9/4/25 6:45 am
Topic: RE: Thursday, September 4, 2025

I have a funny story about nutritional drinks. I had a patient (years ago) that was drinking slim fast drinks to help her lose weight. She couldn't understand why she wasn't losing weight. After taking with her for a bit, she stated that she was drinking them between her normal meals, like there was something magic about drinks that melted fat away. I had to explain to her that the shakes are intended to be use as a replacement not an addition to her meals!

No weight, I have post-op fluid retention and lots of binders, Ace wraps and compression garments that I'm wearing.

Pain is well controlled. I didn't have muscle tightening in my abdomen, so that makes healing and my less painful. My surgeon also did a drainless tummy tuck so I don't have to deal with those drains!

Ill post pics on TT after I remove my bandsges

Liz WantsHealthForAll
on 9/4/25 4:04 am - Cape Cod, MA
VSG on 03/28/16
Topic: Thursday, September 4, 2025

117.6 - unchanged even though I was snacky yesterday. I find that if I snack on okay stuff like cottage cheese and nut thins that it doesn't seem to affect my weight probably because I fill up relatively quickly. Maybe I get snacky now when my body actually needs more? Still not used to relying on my hunger cues.

Hoping for a quick update from Paula today?

Not much accomplished yesterday other than laying out clothing for the funeral, our trip to Bar Harbor, and for Florida. I was planning on going through the remainder for possible donation but there really isn't that much and I'm not sure I am willing to give any of it up yet. I know there is some rule that if you haven't worn something over some period of time it should go, but I feel that one year is too short. I did get rid of tons of stuff last year when I sold the house. In fact, there was at least one other dress and some skirts that I am surprised I got rid of. If I still haven't worn them by this time next year maybe I will get rid of them.

Today some packing might commence plus I need to try on the funeral dresses. I'm not sure they will fit. This evening we are meeting my SIL and BIL (here from Scottsdale) for dinner. I had the free protein shakes sent to SIL as she needs to gain weight.

But first, a Justice walk! Have a therapeutic Thursday!

Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish

Liz WantsHealthForAll
on 9/4/25 3:51 am - Cape Cod, MA
VSG on 03/28/16
Topic: RE: Wednesday, September 3, 2025

I am pretty sure there is some sort of a veterans office which can help find military service - I think I have had friends find the information that way. But going through the old boxes might be interesting...

I am glad you weren't close to that car accident - you could have been part of it. It seems like there are 1-2 daily near us lately. The road is divided with one lane until just south of us, then it is just striped with 2 lanes each way. It is that stretch from the town south of us to the one just north of us which is the danger area. There was an SUV on its side in front of the town hall yesterday. Can't even imagine what happened there at 10 am in the morning. Why is everyone in such a hurry?

Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish

Liz WantsHealthForAll
on 9/4/25 3:39 am - Cape Cod, MA
VSG on 03/28/16
Topic: RE: Wednesday, September 3, 2025

"the veil that separates this world from the spiritual world is thin" - I love that! I feel that way when I visit Newfound Lake NH. Peaceful.

Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish

diane S.
on 9/3/25 4:39 pm
Topic: RE: Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Greetings all

It is another overcast day but calm. Works for me. The house got cleaned this morning and I started in on my list of serious adult stuff like deal with gallery insurance and tax stuff. Still more to do but got some of it done. Then off to the studio. A car accident happened right in front of me on the freeway! It was so fast and I think one car clipped the back of another. Didn't look too serious so I did not stop but I am wondering what happened since I didn't see it until it was underway. Icky.

Yay DD for sitting and drinking tea and looking at the ocean. Good plan. Agreed some places are "thin" and you just feel it. The abby sounds like a great place. And a surprise concert! Score..

Yeah Peps isn't it grand to be able to laze about the house with coffee and news and no need to rush out the door. It never gets old. We all were accustomed to that "on edge" feeling all the time with busy jobs and lives. Slow is good.

Paula hoping all has gone well and you are relaxing and recovering. Wishing you rest and good drugs.

So my mission this afternoon is to search through this big box of papers that was created after my mom died. My brother needs my Dad's military service ID so he can get that kind of insurance that serves the military and families. He thinks it is way better for so Cal So I will hunt for it but have no confidence I will find any such thing. Seems like there should be some other way to get this - especially since our family name is not common. Took a Claritin because that stuff is dusty!

Liz Bar Harbor sounds cool and fun. Be glad your DH golfs (ie keeps himself entertained for a few hours).

Trying some kind of pre cooked steak from Costco. will report.

Diane S


      
                   Join US On The VSG Maintenance Group Forum!! 
                  http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
  
Peps
on 9/3/25 3:31 pm
Topic: RE: Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Your trip sounds so delightful! Your descriptions caused me to sit here with a smile on my face. I do believe there are places in the world where the veil is thinner. As you know, I also believe there are people who are more receptive to the spiritual world.

DiamondD
on 9/3/25 11:07 am, edited 9/3/25 4:07 am
VSG on 06/13/12
Topic: RE: Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Liz I bet after all the moving around and coordinating schedules, some down time to choose what you want to do in Florida sounds great!

Looking forward to an update from Paula that all is well.

Oh, sad for your nephew Diane, to lose his fine dog. Your memorial gift will be well received.

I thought we would be sitting around, drinking tea and reading books here on Iona. I haven't touched my books! We did order up a pot of tea after breakfast and drank it in the ocean front sitting room where I had imagined we would be sitting with our books. I told DD I was determined we would at least "sit' there for a bit. It was peaceful.

We've enjoyed a deep dive into our spiritual beliefs, which we will probably counter with a ghost tour when we get back to Glasgow.

: ) This island is beautiful. I strongly believe it is a thin place, where the veil that separates this world from the spiritual world is thin. Whether these are only fanciful notions on my part or not, I feel some clarity in mind and spirit that calms me.

Today's serendipitous travel adventure: We were in a small shop chatting with the clerk and she said, Are you going to the Mendelssohn Concert? Turns out there was a string quartet playing, free will donation, that was starting in 10 minutes just around the corner. So this is how we came to be sitting in the Iona town hall, whose glass front looked out over the ocean, listening to classical music.

We are going to dinner in a bit. Tomorrow we start the journey back to the mainland: a ferry from here, a bus ride across the island, and then a ferry to the mainland. Luckily the scenery is superlative so the traveling is actually part of the fun. On Friday, we are going a small group tour that lasts about 3 hours, and takes us to a castle, and perhaps shows us some highland cows, followed by a seafood dinner. Saturday we make our way back to Glasgow on the train, where we will stay 2 nights. Sunday we will take a quick train ride to Edinburgh (about an hour) and explore. Monday back to Boston and DH, who I am missing, but not so much I can't enjoy myself. I'm sure he is feeling the same, as he made plans to go out with differnt groups of friends he hasn't seen lately.

Off to dinner!

DiamondD
on 9/3/25 10:19 am, edited 9/3/25 4:09 am
VSG on 06/13/12
Topic: RE: Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Most everyone is decodable, although I do need to say excuse me once in awhile, and ask for a repeat. But that could happen at home too. One taxi driver though, could hardly understand a word! Neither could DD. Luckily it was a short drive.

Liz WantsHealthForAll
on 9/3/25 9:27 am - Cape Cod, MA
VSG on 03/28/16
Topic: RE: Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Yes, retirement can feel very busy but that "me time" is such a great addition.

Bar Harbor is beautiful. I took DH for his birthday in 2022 and he loved it, having never been there before. This year I asked where he wanted to go and that was his choice. Lovely area and great hiking with views galore.

Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish

Peps
on 9/3/25 9:21 am
Topic: RE: Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Paula is probably already in recovery at this point. I hope it all went great!!! Happy healing!

201.6 today.

Liz, your last summer hurrah sounds nice (except for the wake and funeral parts). Maine is one of my bucket list states. I have never been that far north on the east coast. The photos I've seen of the north Atlantic coast are so beautiful, I'd like to see it in person. Bar Harbor looks charming!

Lots of the retirement docket today! LOL! I'm beginning to see why people thought I did entirely too much while I was teaching. I have not really added anything to my life schedule, but boy, I'm busy all the time. It's beginning to make sense to me why I always felt a little underlying stress while teaching and doing the "dog thing". Now I revel in my morning time. It's lovely to have wake up time with coffee and my games and morning check in.

Looking forward to more photos from Scotland! I'm curious if Diane ever has trouble understanding people speaking in Scotland. I sometimes do with some of the heavier accents from the UK. But I wonder if it is my lack of auditory acuity.

Ron started his new 2 day a week teaching gig today. I chuckled silently to myself this morning at 6:30 when his alarm went off. He is so NOT a morning person. We'll see how it goes. I'm not so sure how long he will last. My guess is he'll stick out the school year and then call it a day. I have no inclination whatsoever to return to teaching. I may sub once I'm allowed, but only infrequently and then only for my peeps!

Okie dokie.... time to get myself busy and productive!

×