re:Being Nice To The Newbies

 
This was a great post with a lot of reads.....

I didn't post on it cause I wanted to see how it was going to develop.......

But lets break it down a little further........

Speaking for myself and a few of the current vets that are still active on OH.......

Overview on WLS OH scenario:

- Learn about WLS
- Have WLS
- Learn more....lose weight
- Learn more ....hit milestones
- Learn more.... make goal.....maintain
- Learn less....share more....stay connected to the process
- Learn less..... share more.....get frustrated with dumb/stupid*
- Learn less.....speak your mind..... care less of what others think....
- Rotate out
- Use the hours you used to spend on OH to be out doing life !!!

There becomes a point to a vet that it may become un-healthy to stay around. Looking for the next set of motivations becomes the new criteria for long term success.

Summed up......leave more than you took from OH and you've done your part.

*Dumb/Stupid are Harsh words......Stupid is eating a chicken wing 1 week out than posting on OH fishing for validation from other stupid people.

Asking about chicken is a very valid/common  question.

There is a healthy midway crop that are going to make good vets..... there job will be harder because there are waaayyyy more funky VSG surgeries being performed by surgeons with no data/history......and waaayyyy more wonky eating plans happening.

My prediction: Many more people will waste the first six months because of confusion and trying there own way and taking 6 months to figure it out....than the honeymoon is over by the time they figure it out..... no biggie....just gonna make it harder.....good luck with that.

Moderation.....this word keeps coming up.....how did it work for you pre-op? Several have done it with great results!!! How lucky do you feel?

Overall....I think this forum is very welcoming and stays very cordial.....everybody wants everbody to succeed. In most cases if your not doing well.....It's time to look into the mirror.....It's all you....the general plan/concept is not hard to understand.

frisco

I think the stress of fall and the days getting darker and traffic getting thicker because children are back in school has gotten to everyone!!

Another newbie still looking for the "LIKE" button, ha! 

Thanks, Frisco.  Thank you so very much.

I am a newbie - sleeved August 24th - and when I first started reading these boards (I even lurked for months before I signed up)...sometimes I felt like some vets were a bit harsh.
But, after reading and researching incessantly - - I realized that the vets are the ones who took the vsg and used that tool in the most efficient and effective way to make drastic changes to their lives.  These vets were generally the most successful - - and I determined that I wanted to follow in those footsteps. 

Is it easy?  Nope.  Is it always fun?  HELL NO.  Did they help prepare me for the surgery and post-op?  DEFINITELY.    I also made sure I researched and found the best surgeon for me - with an excellent pre-op program and a very interactive and involved post-op program. 

So - - to the vets - thanks for taking a LOT of guesswork out of the process.  You're making it far easier for those of us who now follow. 

Without my fantastic surgeon and the support I have on the board...there is NO WAY I would already be over a quarter of a way to goal at a little over 3 1/2 weeks (including pre-op).  I know the weight loss is going to slow...I know I will stall.  But, I'll read back over the tips and reminders from the vets - - and keep my chin up and work my shrinking butt off! 

I listen to ya and not even sleeved yet. I know what you mean about people eating food before their sleeve is even healed.

The first 6 months is the honeymoon, time to take advantage of the good times. I keep saying this over and over in my head, my time is coming really soon. I also listened to one post you made on someone's post. You seemed shocked that someone was having mushies 3 weeks out, and how you explained this, I agreed and I also know that most surgeons out there now are saying 1 week clear liquids, 2 weeks liquids then off to mushies.

Just wanted to let you know that there are some of us that listen to the vets, there is only so much that you can really say to the ones that don't want to be helped. I do recognize some questions and I asked myself if this person really did any research?? I hope I don't get stupid after the surgery :P

Keep on posting and remember even if you help one person with your comments you are being awarded.

 

I totally agree with you Frisco.  There is a huge learning curve immediately pre-op and post-op, then there is a period where sharing knowledge is motivating, and then people move on in their life and that's normal and okay. 

I also agree that even when the vets on this board are "not nice," they are supportive and positive to those they reply to.  What are you supposed to say when someone asks if it's okay that they ate 3 chicken wings and two pieces of cake 1 week out?  It's not okay by any means or standards, and telling someone that it is alright sends out faulty information to people who are reading this board for knowledge.

I also get weary of the drama/uncontrolled anxiety posts.  Yes, you are going to be in pain 3 days post-op.  If you are having second thoughts, don't have the surgery.  I think a lot of people are looking for attention and not support, and that personally irks me.  But that might just be me.

I am extremely grateful for you and several other vets on this forum.  I feel like I'm going into surgery next week with a great plan -- this board has helped me to build on my surgeon's plan and I feel like the knowledge that I've gained here will allow me to adjust my plan if necessary to maximize my success during my first 6 months to a year out.

For anyone reading any forum, take the information that works for you and do what you know is best.  BUT, if you find you're deviating from the standards of this board and not being successful, then you need to examine your methods and make some changes.  That is the beauty of this forum -- take what you need, leave the rest, and give back to others as you can.

I appreciate you, Frisco.  You inspire me and I hope you stick around for a long time!

Jami

I tend to ignore the posts from folks who want validation for bad behavior, as it's not worth the trouble to get annoyed by them. For the most part I think it's hard to tell a newbie who was well educated and chose to listen selectively from one who wasn't educated, so I just assume no-one told them and proceed from there.

However, when I see someone 5 months out and a regular poster here who says: "I'm not tracking my protein, should I be?" there's no question where they are on that spectrum - and I just pass those posts by. (Yep, a real post. From today.)

I've learned huge amounts from the vets here. My surgeon's program is generally the same as that advocated by the vets but with a slightly higher carb number - I adjusted my carbs down because that's what's worked for so many here, but the best things I've learned have to do with approach, scheduling, and good habits.

Without all the vets on here and reading all there posts I would have never have gotten as far as I've come. I was the first women to have the sleeve done at my surgens practice, so there is not a lot of info to be had. That being said I looked at these boards for help and got plenty. I'm telling you listen to what there saying because It really does help.