Just a note to the new.....

Agree completely!

And I also think there's some unrealistic expectations flying around regarding how much weight people expect to lose right after surgery.  I'm seeing big numbers from people who are questioning why it is so "slow."  And then when it does slow down to a lesser rate, there's huge frustration.  I'm confused, I guess.  It's not a miracle surgery.

Anyhow, all we can do is keep on keepin' on!

I've had people tell me that I have unrealistic expecations as well. I agree that it happens often here. I think the reason is because it is often brought up about losing 100 pounds by the 6 month mark and also people mention losing X amount by a year out. I've seen a lot of people reach "goal" by a year out or before as well. Having 200+ pounds to lose, I doubt it's possible and that seems discouraging. Seeing stories of people who acheive it, makes me discouraged when I don't see numbers like theirs. I think that's how others feel when they see posts of people who are losing so much faster than they are. I know I feel that way. Like the post today about losing 67 pounds by month 3 and I'm thinking I'm almost half way through month 3 (stand still for 10 days, and it's the 3rd one) and I've lost 48 pounds and 30 of it was in month 1.

It's totally not a miracle surgery and I understand that, but it's difficult to see other people having amazing success and you not measuring up with them. I think that's why people consider their loss slow. I really like when people put their monthly losses in their signatures.

I know I'm not supposed to compare, but **** I'm human!

I don't know what information you're referring to because I don't read every post here anymore like I used to. For all I know, you might be referring to my ass!  I do see some pretty off the wall info sometimes but I think some of us have different experiences and different truths. I do speak up every time I see something that I believe is a complete untruth though.... not that I have all the answers though. I do speak what I believe to be the truth, from my perspective in hopes that it can help someone even if it isn't what everyone else is experiencing and I appreciate everyone else sharing their truths.

I definitely don't believe everything I read. There are a few people who I completely trust info from here.

A good starting place is to read the VSG FAQ which is linked in my signature. Lots of great info there that vets have kind of approved if that makes sense.

Excellent point as usual.  On the other hand, have you seen some of the plans some of the newer to the VSG doctors have out there?  Would you follow their advice?  Of course you would not have picked them as doctors to begin with, but if you had, what would you do then?  Its become a weird Catch 22, do you tell people to follow their doctor's advice when you are pretty sure it is bunk?  I don't really know, this part still confuses me. 

Edit:

I veered off course....carry on !

frisco

"Of course you would not have picked them as doctors to begin with"

Smh.

That says, that in my opinion, it would be a mistake to choose a doctor without researching them and their statistics.  I am not telling anyone who to pick, but to pick carefully as it does make a difference in the long run.  I understand that everyone's situation is different, that insurance plays a part in this, but I also know that research is really, really important.  Otherwise, the success of failure of this surgery becomes more of a chancy and that is not a good thing.

I have to wonder what makes anyone think they know how much someone researched a particular doctor?

I have no idea how much anyone has researched, I only hope that they have done so.