Question:
Why don't people update there profiles
I read questions all the time and quite often I click on the persons name and no information, or it will say 5.5 months post-op and nothing more. I would just like to see more profiles up-dated, I kind of feel it is a kindness to help out our WLS family — [Anonymous] (posted on February 3, 2002)
February 3, 2002
I agree with you. I get so much out of reading profiles, but perhaps some
folks value their privacy more than others.
— artistmama
February 3, 2002
I know... sometimes we are left hanging. I get a little annoyed and then
have to laugh at myself. I ask myself, "Kim... what would YOU be doing
today if you had lost 50, 60, 70-plus pounds?" Then Kim says,
"Well, I sure wouldn't be sitting here complaining about my knees
hurting, gasping for breath because I had to go downstairs and check the
laundry, or why I am 30 years old and have to wear pee-pee pads." The
way I figure it is there are just as many who have kept up thier journey,
or have even started their own website that tell their stories (especially
the webrings.) Peace...
— Kim K.
February 3, 2002
You are so right... all of us need to keep our profiles updated! It bums
me out when I visit the profile page of someone and they haven't updated
for months. BUT I am guilty of not updating that often too! The biggest
reason is that I feel like I am repeating myself over and over... I am
thrilled by my weightloss, it is amazing how good I feel, etc. All very
true but there are only so many ways to say it! :)
— Pamela F.
February 3, 2002
One of the main reasons that has been stated before is that once people
start losing the weight, they're out living their lives, instead of sitting
in front of the computer! That's wonderful, of course and definitely the
point of the surgery, but it definitely leaves pre-op's hanging. I know
when I was researching, it was frustrating to click on someone's profile
and see nothing after 2 months! I am definitely going to make an effort to
remember! As post-ops, we need to remember that there are others just
starting researching, etc and we don't want them to think horrible thoughts
because all of a sudden we've stopped posting! I plan to post every month
on my surgery date..I've already missed once, but I'll try to be better!
*grins*
— Anita N.
February 3, 2002
There are PLENTY of updated profiles. Just go to the gallery (main page)
and scroll down then click on the link for people who just made recent
entries, or on people who have been keeping long-term track of their
progress (to qualify for that page you need at least 1 full page of
updates). That is where I spend the majority of my time as a pre-op. Good
luck and God Bless!
— Kimberly L.
February 3, 2002
Here's the reason I don't update my profile. I am from a very small town
-- people live to gossip around here. Well, I had a complete profile UNTIL
someone got on this site and started with "Did you know so-and-so had
her stomach stapled? Yes, I'm sure. You can read all about her on this
one certain website called www.obesityhelp.com. Well, that did it for me.
I eliminated my entire profile, signed up under an assumed name so I could
still access the message board, library, q&a's, etc. as this is the
only support group I have. It's just too sad that I had no other
alternative, but that's what happened with me. One more thing, I'm by no
means ashamed of this surgery. One day I hope to be more open about it in
this little town. But I want the results first, I want to be a real
trooper for the WLS, not a failure, I don't want to be pointed at and
talked about. It's a self-esteem thing. I'm a private person. I grew up
in a big city, Chicago, and will NEVER get used to the small-town gossip.
It's beyond me why people are so obsessed with other people's lives.
— [Anonymous]
February 3, 2002
Another reason some people don't update their profiles (besides all the
other good reasons listed below) is that not everyone finds the success
with WLS that they had hoped for. They might be embarrassed, frustrated,
disgusted, feel like a failure or are trying to avoid the contempt from
some others here who instead of offering some compassion or helpful advice,
criticize them. It's a shame because, not only should pre-ops know that WLS
isn't always 100% effective, those who are struggling need the support of
others in the same situation. I'm an open book and do continue to post how
things haven't turned out the way I had expected or hoped, and at least
once a day, I get an email from somebody thanking me for being so brave to
be open about it and telling me that they also are stuggling.
— Cyndie K.
February 3, 2002
I agree with you, there have been soo many times that i wanted to read
someones profile to get ideas and there are no entrys or they havent
updated it in a long time. I just assume that they are busy or there is
some personal reason they havent updated it but I keep mine updated as much
as possible....im even on the 2nd page already. :-)
— Deanna Wise
February 3, 2002
Yes, and its also as irritating when people post a question or answer that
is not embarrassing and do not even bother to put their names in so that we
can look at their profile. : :eyeing poster: : =}
— Jennifer Y.
February 3, 2002
I agree about updating profiles. I updated mine after my surgery, but
haven't since, but there's a very good reason. I saw my surgeon 12 days
post-op and was released to go back to work and to live as normally as
possible. I updated at that point. I don't go back to see him til
February 8 (Friday). At that point I will weigh again and will have
something to add. I felt it was redundant to go to my profile every week
and say that I am doing great but I don't know how much I've lost. I
really haven't had anything to add to what I have already written.
My surgery was easy (compared to others I have had) and my recovery has
been rapid and complication free. I just haven't had any problems. So,
Friday night or Saturday, I will definitely update my profile - I just hope
the news is as good as I think it will be.
— Patty_Butler
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