You're all safe: I'm leaving!

I'm just dropping in one last time to let you all know that the Connecticut Board is now safe for humanity: after this posting, I'm gone. Last week, I attempted to correct a half-truth regarding the Lapband. I can't believe that my posting warranted the subsequent attack I've received and seen, everything from being called a ******* to seeing a sanctimonious essay arguing the semantics of "temporary" equaling "reversible." {Point of fact, by the way: in using that argument, the bypass - as well as ANY WLS procedures - is ALSO "temporary", since all the surgeries can be reversible, even though the reversal may entail a far more complicated procedure.} Regardless, this is not what I expect from the "friends" I thought I made on this board. I've been here over three years trying to help people, inspire them and keep them INFORMED, and I don't deserve this. So, see y'all. God help the next person who comes in here looking for up-to-date, correct information on the lapband. Please refer them to the LAPBAND BOARD, where they're clearly more likely to find the infor they're looking for. Kim C and the rest of you, you can sleep well at night again: Osama Bin Lapband has left the building.

Come on Betty.....Don't go anywhere...You do have friends here, and just because people replied in support of Kim, doesn't mean we don't care about you...Please remember the inherent problem with posting or aim'ing as a form of communication is that things people "say" can be heard differently then they are meant. The inflections we hear when we communicate with the spoken word are missing in the written word, so sometimes feelings get hurt when that is not the intent. And emoticons like don't help the situation either, once again , they may be more likely to hurt someone's feelings even when that is not the intent of the "speaker"... So, please don't go anywhere, you are such an inspiration to so many people...and we ARE all in this TOGETHER...Your knowlegde and support is needed here...You are needed...and wanted.....so please, don't go anywhere.... Love, Dorota

bette, All kim was doing was keeping people informed as well,,the same way you do,,she too has been a big inspiration to alot of us here,,,no one but you called yourself osama bid lapband,,,where does the maturity come from on this issue???this whole posting episode was blown way out of proportion..everyone is entitled to their opinion and to say what they feel,,,its ok to praise the lap band because you are such a tremendous success story,,but what if you werent???? then what>??? the majority of people i know who had lap band are really dissapointed they chose that path.some who have chose g/b are too,,its up to the person to decide what they think is best,,both you and kim were intitled to your own opinions and nothing should have been said about it..dont feel like everyone doesnt like you just because of comments,that after all is what this board is here for,,,so i just think that we all need to be a little more grown up and take this board as it is suppose to be ,,for everyone to express themselves and i honestly dont think that kim was trying to insult you in any way.... keep in touch,,cyndee

Bette, Why do you feel like you must leave here? I thought we are all entitled to our opinions...am I wrong? Can't we all just get along?? I read the post you are referring to. I understand where you were coming from but I also think that some poeple ( not you) have such a division of Lap-banders and Rny-ers. We are all here to improve our lives and whatever choice we make is personal. Over the past year and a half I have gotten to know you through support group meetings and you do have a lot of valuable information for future "banders." Honestly, you spoke at my first ever pre-op meeting and I'll never forget it. I wouldn't refer to you as "Osama Bin Lapband"..although that did make me chuckle. Just keep doing what it is you do- informing others of your experience. Be well, Christine

Bette, Okay, this has gotten blown way out of proportion. I personally apolgized to you and anyone else who may of taken my response the wrong way. I did word my response incorrectly since I was mis-informed about the surgery definitions. I have since researched and talked to various people on our site regarding the difference between Lap Band and RNY. I myself have learned alot since then and am now going to be careful on how I advice newcomers or anyone else. They should check with everyone here on the boards who have had the WLS whether it was LAP, RNY or any other type of procedures or consult a surgeon. I would feel very badly if you stopped posting to this board, you have been an inspiration over the years to alot of people here with your success. I am still new to this site and I am in a learning phase. I have made alot of wonderful friends on this board and I thought you were one of them too. They were all just responding as my friends in defense to me. I do appreciate that, but I dont want anyone going after each other verbally in response to this. Life is too short and there are so many bad things going on in the world, we need to all take a deep breath and start over. Do not let this one incident effect any of us here. We are a family here on the OH boards and everyone is entitled to their oppinions, this is America and we should be proud of freedom of speech. Bette, dont compare yourself with that evil man, using that name is so wrong. You are far from anything like that. I know you may of said that jokingly, but please dont stop coming on the boards and giving your advice to anyone new or old who needs the help and support we all are here for. I myself learned to be more careful in what I advise about, I have to make sure I know what I am talking about before I give anyone advice, I know I would want that for myself from anyone here. This is a wonderful site, with alot of fun, loving and caring people. Thats not let this one incident ruin that. Its a great group here and I have met so many great people who I consider my friends and my family and I hope you know that too. PLEASE DONT LET THIS ANGER YOU OR STOP YOUR FROM COMING ON THE BOARDS, THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO NEED YOUR ADVICE AND SUPPORT. I hope to see you on the boards!!!!!!!!! I am so very sorry this happened. I hope everyone out there realizes the craziness this has caused. Lets all just start over again. Hugs KimC

Bette, What will I do without you??? You are my Lap Band expert! I too was showing support for another CT Oh'er and I know you meant well. Please don't leave us - you are so full of information and insight (as well as that great sense of humor). If you really are not coming back, will you be on the lap band board? You can't leave!! You have been such a source of inspiration and knowledge for me and other CT bandsters. You have always been there when I needed you. Please rethink your decision. Don't let one incident ruin it for everyone else - the newbie's will need all that you bring. Please Please think it over, Hugs, Nancy

One quick point, although I am often sanctimonious, my support of the underlying post was more pedantic rather than pious (plus, the poster is a good soul who deserved support from her peers). And last I checked (which was about 30 seconds ago), what had been posted mirrored what one would find on the La-Band website: "The LAP-BAND® System is the only adjustable and reversible weight-loss surgery available in the United States and the only weight-loss surgery approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)." The site also claims that it is "removable at any time". Source: http://www.lapband.com/lapband/aboutlapband.do. Like a failed John Kerry joke, I think we all knew that the posting was intended to explain (as did my "sanctimonious" essay) that the Lap-Band system is intended to allow patients varying degrees of restriction and that, by virtue of its adjustable nature can be considered a "temporary" method among those patients who choose not to continue periodic insufflations of the band. Every once in awhile, some of us do appear a tad opinionated--and sometimes hasty posts are misinterpreted. Like any marketplace of ideas, the vitality of our forum here depends upon the mix of experiences, outlooks and approaches that each of us brings. Hopefully, in that spirit, we all can continue to forgive one another our slips, not take anyone's rebukes too personally, roll with the punches and continue to learn from the successes and struggles of each of us.

aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh...I had to run for my dictionary...not fair....

There must be another reason for you to go. Leaving because of a small argument is weak. Scott

Your response was not necessary. In fact it really had no thought at all. Maybe you should use your brain before you post - are you even aware of the situation? I never see you posting.