re:Being Nice To The Newbies
Frisco, as usual I agree with most everything you say.
Here's an idea. Could we start a "Middie's" board? Because there are such large numbers of VSG'ers these days, it doesn't seem like three boards would be too much? Leave the main one for investigators, newbies, and people who are interested in less official research. Then the "Middies" could be for those of us in the process, who are still learning, but have mastered the basics of sleeve size, 3 week stalls, when to move to solids, etc. And then of course the maintenance board that already exists for you vets.
The advantage of a group rather than the OH board is that we can have stickies of our own choosing, not just about New Orleans
. I've also been thinking that it would be great if we could begin compiling a list of surgeons who are creating sleeves that match the research we do have on success (similar to the way they do on the DS board...though maybe that has to get hosted off-site?)
I think newbies might feel more comfortable asking questions without getting eye rolls or being told someone already asked that question three questions down. And those who've had time to get acclimate to these boards (IMO, they're all a little different even if the concept is the same) won't need to feel so annoyed, unless they choose to.
Is this a bad idea? Good?
I'd be happy to start the group if people think it might work. Alternatively, those of us who've been around a little while could all move over to the maintenance group, though I don't know if that's what that group had in mind, lol. I lurk over there but don't really post because, well, I'm not in maintenance.
I guess stating this another way, it seems like with the current FLOOD of people getting the VSG, there are just so many people at every stage of learning here that it feels a bit like a clusterfuck. ;-)
Here's an idea. Could we start a "Middie's" board? Because there are such large numbers of VSG'ers these days, it doesn't seem like three boards would be too much? Leave the main one for investigators, newbies, and people who are interested in less official research. Then the "Middies" could be for those of us in the process, who are still learning, but have mastered the basics of sleeve size, 3 week stalls, when to move to solids, etc. And then of course the maintenance board that already exists for you vets.
The advantage of a group rather than the OH board is that we can have stickies of our own choosing, not just about New Orleans
. I've also been thinking that it would be great if we could begin compiling a list of surgeons who are creating sleeves that match the research we do have on success (similar to the way they do on the DS board...though maybe that has to get hosted off-site?) I think newbies might feel more comfortable asking questions without getting eye rolls or being told someone already asked that question three questions down. And those who've had time to get acclimate to these boards (IMO, they're all a little different even if the concept is the same) won't need to feel so annoyed, unless they choose to.
Is this a bad idea? Good?
I'd be happy to start the group if people think it might work. Alternatively, those of us who've been around a little while could all move over to the maintenance group, though I don't know if that's what that group had in mind, lol. I lurk over there but don't really post because, well, I'm not in maintenance.
I guess stating this another way, it seems like with the current FLOOD of people getting the VSG, there are just so many people at every stage of learning here that it feels a bit like a clusterfuck. ;-)
I think this sounds like a good idea.. I find myself cycling out (at least as far as responding) far faster than Frisco.. Not sure what that means, other than I likely have less patience! My verbal/mental filter is not always strong, and though I don't poke names or get intentionally mean, I have a very hard time not being very direct. In type-speak, that comes across at times as snark.
I respond to fewer topics, and only if I feel I can give truly useful info or perspective.. but far to often I'm reading some posts for the pure trainwreckishness of them.. Not exactly healthy.
I'd love to have a middle-ground group where others that are slogging through the process have already bypassed the heady "I'm losing 10lbs a week!!" and are far past the "Is it safe to (insert whatever here)?" but are still not at the point where they have called goal. I'd like to chat with others that are in the middle, losing.. sometimes slower than wanted.. feeling the odd creakyness that comes from changing the body shape.. finding clothes that work, and just trying to live with the sleeve and make it work long term.. but without invading the maint board. I'm there often myself, and will occasionally ask for input from them too. I still need the daily focus of being "here" but the clusterfuck as you put it is harder to slog through now than it was a few months ago. I'm in.
I respond to fewer topics, and only if I feel I can give truly useful info or perspective.. but far to often I'm reading some posts for the pure trainwreckishness of them.. Not exactly healthy.
I'd love to have a middle-ground group where others that are slogging through the process have already bypassed the heady "I'm losing 10lbs a week!!" and are far past the "Is it safe to (insert whatever here)?" but are still not at the point where they have called goal. I'd like to chat with others that are in the middle, losing.. sometimes slower than wanted.. feeling the odd creakyness that comes from changing the body shape.. finding clothes that work, and just trying to live with the sleeve and make it work long term.. but without invading the maint board. I'm there often myself, and will occasionally ask for input from them too. I still need the daily focus of being "here" but the clusterfuck as you put it is harder to slog through now than it was a few months ago. I'm in.
Yah know.... maybe we need to talk to Diane......
Maybe we need to grow an advanced group....if that got to big than it could be slit off again....
I know all are welcome at VSGMG but maybe it needs to be promoted as an advanced group...which it is......
frisco
SW 338lbs. GW 175lbs. Goal in 11 months. CW 148lbs. WL 190lbs.
" To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art "
VSG Maintenance Group Forum
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
CAFE FRISCO at LapSF.com
Dr. Paul Cirangle
Hi j.e.t
Can't resist responding to your post and to this topic in general which is important. Go ahead and start a Middie's Group if you feel there is a need for one. Its pretty easy to create a group if a computer dolt like me can do it. Being in the middle of the weight loss phase is definitely a time with its own set of challenges that differ from those just starting and those who have reached goal.
But having said that I wish to reiterate that the "Middies" , newbies and anyone is welcome on the VSG Maintenance Group. Maybe thats not even the right name for it as it really deals with advanced vsg issues from those trying to lose those last few to the keys to success explained by experienced sleevers to newer ones to the longer term challenges of trying to maintain this weight loss for life. I've always said everyone is welcome on the vsgm group regardless of which surgery or what phase they are in because there is a tremendous amount of insight contained in the posts throughout the 11 months we have existed.
While we now have over 600 members, many are lurkers who never post and who may be reluctant to do so because they are not at goal or simply want information. For those in the middle of the journey, the vsgm group is a great place to post your questions and concerned because you will find an audience of people who have "been there done that" as well as others lurking who are at the same stage who might feel more willing to chime in to a fellow middie.
Some days the only posts we have on the vsgm group are more of the middie nature and I always enjoy these and respond if I feel I have some useful information. I would hate to see the vsgm group confined to only those who have reached goal. We would bore ourselves probably.
So again feel free to start the new group, but don't feel like you have to because the vsgm group seems focused on maintenance because it is by no means the sole purpose of the group. Please join in and post whatever questions or thoughts you have at any stage of this journey. When I began this process, I managed to discover a number of people on OH who had my same surgeon and who were months or years ahead of me and their advice and encouragement were very important. That is part of what the vsgm group is for so take advantage of it.
I do try to cruise through the main vsg forum and respond to posts that I think I can be helpful on but there are so many now (there were maybe only 15 a day when I started) that I can't respond to all or even read them all. But I do what I can and like Frisco and others, I feel its important to pay it forward and make a contribution back when we "goalies" have gotten so much from OH and the vsg main forum.
Make Sense?
Diane
Can't resist responding to your post and to this topic in general which is important. Go ahead and start a Middie's Group if you feel there is a need for one. Its pretty easy to create a group if a computer dolt like me can do it. Being in the middle of the weight loss phase is definitely a time with its own set of challenges that differ from those just starting and those who have reached goal.
But having said that I wish to reiterate that the "Middies" , newbies and anyone is welcome on the VSG Maintenance Group. Maybe thats not even the right name for it as it really deals with advanced vsg issues from those trying to lose those last few to the keys to success explained by experienced sleevers to newer ones to the longer term challenges of trying to maintain this weight loss for life. I've always said everyone is welcome on the vsgm group regardless of which surgery or what phase they are in because there is a tremendous amount of insight contained in the posts throughout the 11 months we have existed.
While we now have over 600 members, many are lurkers who never post and who may be reluctant to do so because they are not at goal or simply want information. For those in the middle of the journey, the vsgm group is a great place to post your questions and concerned because you will find an audience of people who have "been there done that" as well as others lurking who are at the same stage who might feel more willing to chime in to a fellow middie.
Some days the only posts we have on the vsgm group are more of the middie nature and I always enjoy these and respond if I feel I have some useful information. I would hate to see the vsgm group confined to only those who have reached goal. We would bore ourselves probably.
So again feel free to start the new group, but don't feel like you have to because the vsgm group seems focused on maintenance because it is by no means the sole purpose of the group. Please join in and post whatever questions or thoughts you have at any stage of this journey. When I began this process, I managed to discover a number of people on OH who had my same surgeon and who were months or years ahead of me and their advice and encouragement were very important. That is part of what the vsgm group is for so take advantage of it.
I do try to cruise through the main vsg forum and respond to posts that I think I can be helpful on but there are so many now (there were maybe only 15 a day when I started) that I can't respond to all or even read them all. But I do what I can and like Frisco and others, I feel its important to pay it forward and make a contribution back when we "goalies" have gotten so much from OH and the vsg main forum.
Make Sense?
Diane
Join US On The VSG Maintenance Group Forum!!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
*presses the invisible like button*
Frisco,
You have been such in inspiration to me, I got my don't eat till ur full method from you and so much more stuff. If you are on less I will miss you but I understand. I am not a vet yet but I am coming up on a year with more than 80 pounds lost! It doesnt sound like a lot but it is to me its a small miracle and I am happier than I have ever been. I do get tired of the same questions on the board but like someone said maybe it time to have a in between board for us vsg people who are almost vets.
any way You will always be my hero sweetie. Hope you come back often if you decide to step off
lol
Frisco,
You have been such in inspiration to me, I got my don't eat till ur full method from you and so much more stuff. If you are on less I will miss you but I understand. I am not a vet yet but I am coming up on a year with more than 80 pounds lost! It doesnt sound like a lot but it is to me its a small miracle and I am happier than I have ever been. I do get tired of the same questions on the board but like someone said maybe it time to have a in between board for us vsg people who are almost vets.
any way You will always be my hero sweetie. Hope you come back often if you decide to step off
lol
If I might add two pieces of advice for Newbies:
1) Use the search function (top right). It may not be the best search engine in the world, but it can prevent posting the same question for the 1000th time.
2) Put your topic clearly in the Subject. Some folks think they are writing for the National Enquirer. The object isn't to entice people to read your post out of curiosity, it's to allow people to see the subject so they don't waste their time on items to which they can't contibute.
1) Use the search function (top right). It may not be the best search engine in the world, but it can prevent posting the same question for the 1000th time.
2) Put your topic clearly in the Subject. Some folks think they are writing for the National Enquirer. The object isn't to entice people to read your post out of curiosity, it's to allow people to see the subject so they don't waste their time on items to which they can't contibute.
VSG Nov 30, 2010
Well said.
Public internet forums are not for people who only want one answer. They are definitely not for people who can't take some criticism when it's called for.
Public internet forums are not for people who only want one answer. They are definitely not for people who can't take some criticism when it's called for.
www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status
11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift.
HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200 
85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op
~~~~Alison~~~~~
Hey there!
This may seem like a stupid statement... But, how do
people waste the first six months?.. You mean by not eating right,
exercise, liquids? Because I know my first six months there was barley any room to waist on junk food. I guess everyone doesn't live by the protein first regime. I know the weight fell off for me, was a chunky loser. But, why would people go through this surgery and abuse thselves postoperative.. Then again, they have been up to this point anyway or they wouldnt be in this state. Guess I answered my own question.
Hugs
Donna
This may seem like a stupid statement... But, how do
people waste the first six months?.. You mean by not eating right,
exercise, liquids? Because I know my first six months there was barley any room to waist on junk food. I guess everyone doesn't live by the protein first regime. I know the weight fell off for me, was a chunky loser. But, why would people go through this surgery and abuse thselves postoperative.. Then again, they have been up to this point anyway or they wouldnt be in this state. Guess I answered my own question.
Hugs
Donna
Leaky sleeve survivor!!! 2008/2009 ~ 5'7"~ 42F Bougie 
Great post.. I have cylcled off the boards a couple times so far to focus on my life.. I keep coming back just because I have a connection with some people, who don't all do fb, and I don't wanna lose that completely... But at some point I am sure I will disappear for good. I just don't really associate myself with my former self that much anymore.. I think we all get to that eventually. Plus, I have always felt like an outlier anyway..
Any who, great post sir..
Any who, great post sir..
I am still loving life with my sleeve! Been maintaining at or below goal for over 4 years!
"People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within." - Ramona L. Anderson
Just wanted to thank you Frisco and all the other vets that I have learned so much from. I am over 5 months out and still am learning from you guys.
I do agree that it ultimately up to the person having the surgery to ensure thier own success... that it is all you... many people think that once you have the surgery, that the weight just falls right off... for some people it does but most people have to work at it... and work at it their entire life for success to continue. I've noticed that there are some people who do not want to accept that, do not want to follow a plan, and most of all, do not want to take responsibility... instead wanting the surgery/the doctor/or whatever else do all the work and then it will be the surgery/the doctor's fault when they are not successful.
I do agree that it ultimately up to the person having the surgery to ensure thier own success... that it is all you... many people think that once you have the surgery, that the weight just falls right off... for some people it does but most people have to work at it... and work at it their entire life for success to continue. I've noticed that there are some people who do not want to accept that, do not want to follow a plan, and most of all, do not want to take responsibility... instead wanting the surgery/the doctor/or whatever else do all the work and then it will be the surgery/the doctor's fault when they are not successful.
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