Unwanted Emails

I am a pre-opt who is scheduled for surgery 7/19. As my date approaches, I have received emails from members whose profiles scare me terriby. Anything and everything bad that could possible happen has. Is this something that others have experienced? Looking forward to any feedback. Kim Smith

I have received a few like that which I deleted. Most of mine where support wishes and prayers. Don't read the ones you get with horror stories. I had my surgery on 6/14 and feel great. It really was not bad. The care is wonderful in the hospital and the doctors are excellent. Lots of good luck. Ellen

Kim, I am sorry that there are others who are contacting your privately with their horror stories. If you still have those emails, hang on to them. Contact member services either by email http://www.obesityhelp.com/DoContactUs.php?ID=5 or by phone to discuss your options to block these people. 1-866-WLS-INFO (957-4636) I think it is important that Obesity Help be made aware of such tactics. I found that when I had someone contact me in such manner it was a "forged" account from a anti WLS "group". While there is the possibility for problems with any surgery. We all have seen or heard of them. The only ones I put much stock into are those that are shared publicly. When something is shared in "secrecy" under the guise of "helping me" ... HUGE RED FLAGS start flying for me. Perhaps this is something to hang onto if/when you receive another "warning" email. I feel if they are truly worried about warning others, they will do it in a public forum, rather than try to contact 100 bazillion members, each personally by email, especially when OH restricts outgoing email to other members to 5 per day to help avoid this kind of spam. In order to email any more than that, they would have to "steal/break into" the OH data base ... and if they did that, just how much can we trust anything someone like this would say or do? Hang in there Kim ... Trust your research, trust yourself, and don't allow anyone to take away your peace during these last few days of waiting for what you have prepared to do for so long. If you still have an uneasiness, contact the surgeons office, perhaps another consult will calm your concerns/fears. I know my final pre-op appointment was one of the best appointments I had to help me finally relax and know that my surgery was my best option for me. BTW - my personal opinion and experience with this group of surgeons has never been less than WONDERFUL! I simply can not say enough good things about any of the surgeons, doc assistants, ect, that I have dealt with in this practice. But please do make sure you are an informed patient. After all, it is our life and quality of life that we are dealing with. When it comes to docs, we are supposed to be a team. I finally had to face the fact that I was my own best advocate, and it was time for me to grow up and start to carry my own weight when it came to my health. I am now a grown adult woman perfectly capible of making sound health choices taking into consideration the recommendations of my doctor. Wishing you the very best whatever path you choose to take. Hugs, Tammy

Sorry about that ... was logged in with my old, not to mention - outdated account! Hugs, Tammy

Thanks Ellen and Tammy for your input. I will be contacting members services. Ellen, I have been following your progress and I am so happy to hear your doing well. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Tammy, I did meet you briefly yesterday at PMRI. Congratulations on your weight loss. You look great and thanks again for your input. I really wasn't prepared for such horrible emails today. Both of your kind words and reassurance has made me feel much better. Thanks again. Kim Smith

Kim, Thank you very much. We post-ops can get - okay, okay, I can get a bit insecure about my weight loss so these kind of compliments really go a LONG way to help ward off the body dismorphia boogie man! Thank you bunches!!! Did your name tag say Kim or Kimberly? I remember both. Trying to put your name/profile with the correct person. I don't think any of us are ever ready for such negativity, especially when we get close to surgery and we can tend to be a bit more emotional about the whole thing. I have to believe that whoever is doing this is not out to hurt anyone, but rather, is just trying to help, and keep you from something that they feel is not a good choice. Granted, I don't feel scaring someone into submission is ever the the best means for getting a point across though. Hugs, Tammy

I'm sorry that you received all the "horror" stories. I too had my own horror stories after surgery. So, I guess I'm glad that people did share those with me. It did scare me enough that I almost canceled my surgery the night before. But thank heavens I didn't! I would go through everything that I did 10 times more to get the results that I have today! Not everyone has a text book surgery... sometimes things can and do go wrong. I'm glad I did get to hear some stories so I was prepared. This certainly is a life altering event for the rest of your life. I think people just want to make sure that you are indeed ready for the change.... the good and the bad. I wish you much success with your journey... You will not regret it!

Ginger, Your profile was one I read before my surgery. I was/am so inspired and impressed by your determination and perseverance in the face of adversity. I looked at your pre-op pic and saw myself and it gave me hope that I too could come out of my shell of pre-op weight issues and limitations, even if it meant I had to jump a few complication hurdles. Thank you so very much for documenting your journey on-line and sharing it with those of us who came along behind you! I am sure your story has touched and helped far more people than you can begin to know about. Hugs, Tammy

Hi Tammy: My name tag said Kim. I think you are probably right. I just wasn't prepared for the negativity today. Yesterday, when I was leaving PMRI I was talking to another lady who was also very negative and that didn't hit me as hard. Today just wasn't a good day. Thanks again for your input. Kim

HI SWEETIE SO SO SORRY YOU HAVE GOTTEN THOSE E-MAILS AND I KNOW IT HAD TO UPSET YOU,BUT GUESS WHAT HONEY I'M ON CLOUD NINE AND I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING AND I KNOW I'M NOT THAT FAR ALONG BUT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE TO LIFE AND YOU KNOW I HAD MY FEARS AS WELL BUT YOU KNOW I LEFT IT IN GOD'S HANDS AND HE MADE THE WAY FOR ME AND I HAD OTHERS SENDING PRAYERS AND YOU KNOW EVERYONE ON HERE IS SO SUPPORTED AND KIND AND LOVING.SO KEEP LOOKING UP AND EVERYTHING WILL BE JUST FINE.YOU HAVE US ALL SUPPORTING YOU.YOUR FRIEND BONNIE,P.S. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON THE LOSING SIDE.