Message from "The VSG princess". Serious Rant.

Hugs to you.  I didn't take it the wrong way.  I get where you are coming from. I know you will be there for me when I need you right back. That is how this thing should work, and most of the time, it does.  We really are in "all of this together" and I don't just mean the weight loss, I mean life.  It's great to have people to lean on, I know I need it, and I certainly want it in my life. 

 Guess I'm late to the biker witch party. Sad Panda. 

On to the topic, I read tons of posts on OH when I started the thought of this journey and there were several people *****ally helped and Elena, Rob, frisco, and Allison were my favorites because they all have a no nonsense approach. They acknowledge we are all different, we are human, we make mistakes. But at the same time offering good advice and direction.  I know Allison adds more carbs than Frisco. I know Elena has a weakness for dvil french food. But that's ok because are all different the reL difference is not justifying your crappy ass choices like mac n cheese but realizing that bad food happens and then getting back on track.  Seriously why even have surgery if you are just going to go back to eating crap and justifying it. I justified my way to 452lbs. THAT is not happening again. 

I'm grateful for people like Elina and rob and frisco who have blazed the trail. 

yup I do things a little different but mainly stay on their guideline. My only difference is I added in fruit but still keep my carbs low. 

So thanks for all you input carb popo and vsg princes and princesses.   :-)

Forget the Little Bo Peep thing, I love the biker witch costume idea.  I can so see my neighbors getting a kick out that one.  :) 

I say, "Do what works".  Seriously, if it's working, why would you change it?  But if someone gets stuck, well than, maybe someone else has a better plan, or not.  We do what we think is right, that's all we can ever do.

I'm going to add I didn't see the post where you were referred to as a "VSG princess".  Take it as a badge of honor.  Personally, I think you rock!

If it's still there, it's in the carbs post and I am apparently now the VSG goddess.  Even better than royalty.  I am trading in my tiara for a toga and a seat at Mt. Olympus.  Not bad for a former fatty.  I am going for Athena's spot if Aphrodite's is already taken.  :)

I found it.

Its a bunch of stupid crap - the same old BS coming up again (Cirangles patients are paid sponsors, us versus them, frisco is evil, robs too militant, etc.).  I also signed out and looked at a few of these posts too.  Guess More people have me blocked than I have blocked - one post gained like 5 pages.  I think I'll take that as a badge of honor too!

This is about the third time I have seen this come up since I have been on here.  Yawn.  I am going for a walk then making chicken nachos for dinner!  Slept in today - so my schedule is all slewn to the late side.

Then I need to think up some surprise for DH when he gets off work tonight. 

In the meantime, we should treat this as a game - Which goddess shall you be?  Athena (wisdom, kind of fitting), you could be Hera - but then you'd be married to whomever gets elected as Zeus.

If ruggie were still around I would nominate him for Haphaestus, who does Frisco get to be?

As for me - since I am the most recently demonized, I'll go for Hades.  Kinda fitting, I love pomegranate.

 Wow.  Another n00bler weighing in, but I appreciate the advice of the vets, and take things with a silent "YMMV" at the end.  
Looking at the other thread, I find the psychology around it pretty fascinating.  We're a unique group, in that many of us have the commonality of lifelong obesity, and the societal stigma that comes with it.  Many of us have been judged our entire lives for just being, which generates defensive behaviors.  Add a handful of life changes (even positive ones, where people treat you better or your health improves, but your psyche is still catching up), some hormones, and whammo.  Ultra-defensive blowout.  Blowout leads to pile-on.  That other thread just got... weird.
I appreciate the butt-kicking as part of meaningful support.  I can also appreciate the innate defensiveness of someone struggling with a life change.
But when it comes down to who I'm going to read?  Capslock ragers never win that coin toss.  
Thanks.

 Gosh, I spend a day enjoying the beautiful weather with my hubby and come back to the longest thread I've ever seen here!

As a pre-op'er, and former Atkin's devotee, I must say that Elina, Rob and frisco's advice to people over the time I have been here has rung true -- and I fully expect that I will not be successful unless I enlist in the Carb Popo myself. 

I have learned over my many, many years of weight loss successes and failures, that the most success I ever had was low carb'ing, but I didn't belive the Carb Popo then, and I paid the price -- the big buns came back with a vengence!

We all have to learn what works for us.  Some of us learn have to push the envelope at every corner.  Some of us just compond one little mistake, with another, then another, and before you know it, the pounds are piling back on.

It is often said that if you want to be successful at something, study the actions of the people who are the most successful, and do what they do.  Hmmm.  Now what would that be?  From my two months of reading here, the most successful people ALL have the following things in common:
1. They follow a low carb diet -- either intentionally or because there's no room for carbs after they eat their protein first.
2. They drink a zillion ounces of liquid a day (more or less!).
3. They do not eat eat mindlessly -- if they go outside their usual plan, it is either because they have planned for that exception or found themselves in unexpected situations -- and in that case, they look carefully at the situation to avoid it in the future.
4. And they take the time to pass on what they have learned to other people.  

Here's what I have noticed that they do not all do:
1. They don't coddle people who are not planning and who are eating food that contains lots of calories and no nutrition.  
2. Interestingly, they don't all exercise like maniacs.  Pretty much, they all have varying degrees of exercise, but say they should exercise more.  I am still processing that one!
3. They care about the success of people they have never met, and hope those people can learn from their successes and their mistakes -- and for that, I am eternally grateful.

My thanks to all of you who take the time to help all of us -- and for extra laughs you bring while doing it.  The image of Elina as a biker chick with a spiked collar is going to stay with me for a while!

I personally appreciate the info from everyone on this site. It helps me form the journey thats right for me!

BTW I'm already a biker ***** I think I'll be princess for Haloween. LOL.

Keep posting-So will I- Thank you all and HUGS!

 
Well..... been out most the day...... 

It was late this afternoon when I saw this..... had to rush back out to meet JennChap and her BF down at the wharf for coffee......(I fed her cookies !!!.....That's how messed up I am!)

I mentioned this thread and she looked it up on her iPad.... had 1400 looks at the time..... we read through the PoPo thread and some of this thread.......Only thing I'll say is when you read through these things with others IRL.... and look who is saying what.....It becomes entertaining to say the least.....

Just a few of my thoughts:

- Elina..... Is VSG Royalty..... always with the "White Gloves" doin the wave !!!!

- Elina has helped hundreds if not thousands at this point, both online and offline make their goals.....the accusers.....not so much.....

- Elina has coached and supported many that are on a much different plan...... but her posture is always determined by the progress.

- Elina supports ALL......she is always first to give out the congrats regardless of how they did it.......

- Even when Elina posts something......and the haters read it.....they might not agree.....but it has an impact....and they remember.......

- Misery loves Company...... Gummy Bear and Ice Cream posts most times are about Validation, that's why those threads are so active......If you can eat Cream Puffs and still lose......so cool you win!!! others can't and they maybe on the edge.....

- I love the PoPo type threads...... just points out who not to give attention to.....can only give back so much.....

I'm gonna put it out there and speak for Elina, cause I think we have evolved to the same place...... We don't care as much about Success for others as we are effected by someone not getting what they wanted from WLS ....... Seeing someone do well is awesome!!!! So great in many ways and never gets old!....... To see someone that you follow not do so well...... It hurts..... It hurts real bad.....

Just this last week....the guy that told me about VSG has gained most his weight back (not my surgeon but another respected local program) Jimbo and I talked about it and it was a very somber conversation.

So, some may read into our posts as strong, "try it this way" (and I get that) But....... It's more like.....Hey.....your getting real close to the fence.... We've seen far to many go over the edge !!!!

For example..... I have near 300 on my friends list...... many have done well..... got what they needed from OH and are off doing life.....Cool..... But a lot of them fall off because things didn't go so well for them.......many of these are people I've followed and it's sad..... and it's almost always the same basic scenario........

So, Elina..... Keep being you.... the people that get your message and benefit are about a 1000 to 1 to the ones that are opposed. 

Oh...... Leather, Harley's, Spikes....... kinda gives me that funny feeling !!!!!

frisco