Posts on the main message board

Hello, my January friends. I was looking at the main board and was so intimidated by those who seem to be having problems. I think there were more problems posted today than all week. I'm sure that is an exaduration...but it feels like that. It feels intimidating to read those things. YOu never know if it's WLS related or what's going on with the person. Eeeeek. Kim

I try and stay off the main board - one it scrolls too fast so by the time you get a response your message is three pages back. I have also noticed that there always seems to be a lot of bickering over who knows best. As we all have discovered every doctor is different and has their patients do different things. Thats why I prefer to find a smaller group for support... Like here!! I am now 4 days out and 5 pounds lighter and feeling pretty good considering I just had major surgery! Try not to sweat the little things. Just think positive - it really does make a world of difference. Hugs, Beth

congrats on the weight loss. dave

Beth, Congrats on the weight loss! You're on your way!! Nicole

Kim, At my psych eval the psychologist pointed out something really important about the Internet. It can be an excellent source of information. It can also be a source of extreme disinformation. This man has a Ph.D. in psychology and is a specialist in psychology as it relates to weight loss and WLS. He performs more than 500 psych evals a year and conducts post-WLS support groups (formal support groups not just social groups). He said that you shouldn't only believe about half of what you read on the Internet and be careful about what you choose to believe. His advice is good. Remember that not everyone is what they seem. Not everything everyone says here (or anywhere) is necessarily the truth. And even though OH has a large contributing membership it is still only a small sample (and not necessarily an accurately representative sample) of the WLS population. So hearing a lot about complications here doesn't necessarily mean that the percentage of people with complications is an accurate representation of the total number of patients with complications. So take a deep breath. Relax. And fall back on your empirical evidence - statistics from double-blind studies and real factual compliations of information. Not the subjective and anecdotal 'evidence' of how many posters have problems. Relax. And don't forget to breathe! Carole

I got flamed once when I posted a question on the main board. Nasty nasty people there. I have stayed away ever since. Sandra

I was getting discouraged by how many people "cheat" post op... in fact people help others "cheat" too. I have been very strict that I was going to stick to my 3 week liquid and 3 week soft. Then I was talking with a friend and heard myself say, when I do give in... WHAT??? So I told my chaplain about it and he said that I need to either find a forum online that people hold me accountable and tell me that isn't good for me... or I just need to leave it and do it on my own or with only the help of a few people who have my best interest at heart. So far I've not had that problem here, but we are all preops for the most part... I only post major things on the Main Message Board like WLS seminar dates and updates to my web page. ::hugs:: Cyndi

Also, if you are having any other WLS except for the RNY, you are considered to be very wrong in doing what every you do!! I like it on the smaller boards, cause they accept all the different WLS and understand we are all different and need different WLSs. Patty *1 day to Nashville* **7 days till surgery**

Patty, I've noticed that, too. It really took me by surprise at first because my best friend had DS on 10/31 and I'm having Lap-Band on 1/13. We realize that while we both wanted an additional weapon in our arsenal against obesity we are totally different people with different goals and needs. We respect that we each made the choice that works for us as individuals and we support each other unconditionally. It was shocking to me to see the main board was so different. Carole 310/292.5/155