Board dynamics...

I just want to say that I do not think I could have made it thru the last 3 months without the love, prayers, cards, visits, calls and messages from my "family" here at OH.  When I was "living" at the hospital and 2 hours away from my biological family and friends it was my OH family that visited and gave me hugs and prayed with us.

I have to admit when I read that post about this last night I thought, "Oh no, what if they don't let us post our feelings, problems, praises and etc on here--What will I do"    I am so glad to see most feel as I do.

As I care for Lyn at home I know I will continue to need love support and prayers and I know I can count on all of you.  We ALL have challenges in life and without friends we would be digging ourselves in a hole that some cannot get out of.

It would be nice to not need to express our feelings, but as for me, it is truly a blessing from God to have the friends on this board.

I love you all------Terry

I'm pretty new here as well. Just my two cents but I like reading the off topic things every day. I feel like I just joined a big sorority and now I have to get to know everyone. I'm amazed at the love that you all share for each other and hope to be included in that as I grow and learn here. I really do pray for all when asked and you just can't have too many prayers when you need them. COntinue asking away girls

I can say that personally I quit posting as much because I don't feel  comfortable sharing everything that has happened with me over the past few months although I know there are a few people if I NEEDED to talk would be there for me in a heartbeat. One day I hope to be able to share but I don't really know. 

I do agree that people should know what can happen after WLS though for sure. Most people have smooth rides then you have others who have bumpy rides, it's only right for people to know what can happen though. I went through hell for months after my WLS and while it wasn't as severe as some peoples complications it was big to me and most everyone on this board was supportive during that time.

We have become a big family around here and I'm sad that someone would get upset or offended by us sharing whats going on with us in real life other than our WLS. This is a support board for WLS but like it's been mentioned before our need for WLS happened because of things that happen in our lives.

Gosh,
I feel like I might have started something aweful.....I hope I didn't say anything to upset anyone. I am just a very emotional person and with what all has happened esp. this past week to my dear friend Ellen, I also have been struggling at work w/ so called friends who are backstabbing me to death! I am just in a really dark place right now...Just needing to get out of bed is hard for me and i am usually bopping around be happy go lucky. I don't know what is wrong with me but please don't let anything I might have said upset any of you. Please go on with life and enjoy being or becoming healthy. I am hoping whatever is going on with me will pass soon but its just really hard right now. This is not like me which is what is scaring me...I am sure I will be fine. I am so glad that I have a place to come to if i need support. Don't let that change. Love and Hugs and Happy Easter to all.
shanna

I, too, was perplexed by yesterday's thread.  But after much thought, here's my perspective.

I look at this site as different levels of intimacy.  The main board gives one an overview of the world of the obese and the many options to fight for our lives.  After one selects a method to fight (RNY, lap band, DS, diet and exercise, etc) then there are boards for items more related to that type of fight.  Other "specialty" boards (Surgery month, religious affiliation, plastic surgery, location, etc) give one the opportunity to form more intimate bonds with others.

I am far enough out that I am comfortable with my fight and have little need or use for the main board, RNY board, or surgery month board.  I spend my time and effort on the Indiana board because I have become intimately related to my friends and consider these people close, more like family.  I am very thankful that I have this board to come with my joys and sorrows.  I love you all.

Hi all, I have to say I'm a newbie on here too. My mom has been a member on here for awhile, so I have met or got to know some of the people on here, and I have to say I think I have some awesome 'Aunts' on here lol. No Im not planning on going the WLS route, Im dieting and excercising. But after everything my mom has went through, I would never consider going that route. I don't knock it at all, cause I understand why she did go that way. Im just a big chicken, and after all the surgeries and procedures and the fact that Mom almost died, I will fight the obese battle without WLS. Yes there has been a lot of depressing news on here, but if you really knew these ladies and gentlemen, we all deal with life issues, and let me say when my grandmother passed away, there was some of Mom's OH friends there, and I thought WOW they didn't have to do that, but because they love and support my mom, they thought of her and was there. I too agree that reading the ups and the downs on this board gives me hope, life isn't always peachy, and if people on here can have a bad day, and you know they have your back for the bad and the good, thats the friends I want in my life, and for someone that has no plans on having the WLS, I am very thankful and humbled that everyone has accepted me on here, because for a long time I thought that it was only for peole that had the WLS. Thanks guys, Love ya bunches!!! I have lost 8lbs so far, WOOHOO, its funny, it takes me SO much more time in the grocery store, reading all those labels! haha Mom has been a lot of help with that though. lol, Oh My shoulder is always open too.... Tiff~

Let me start off by saying that opinions are like a-holes -- everyone has one!  I guess now I'll share mine.

I mostly lurk on here because I don't have the opportunity to get on here frequently and by the time I do, there is usually very little I can add that hasn't already been said.  I enjoy reading the variety of posts and I feel like I get to know everyone a little better because of the personal nature of the posts.

I can see both sides to this.  Personally, I don't want people to stop posting about their lives (and their hardships or joys) but I could see where someone would question if this is what this board should be about.  Let me try to explain this further:  someone who might normally post about a weight loss related concern might not feel comfortable posting about their problems because they feel like their problems can't compare to those that have buried their spouse/child/loved one, or with someone who's in a coma, etc. 

I guess what I'm saying is that if anyone is holding back their weight loss related comments or questions because they feel like they aren't as important, then we need you to go ahead and post your comments/guestions.  It will even things out on the board a little and might briefly take our minds off of all the sadness and hardship so many of our friends/families are experiencing now.  And by all means... post your wow moments/successes and happy moments too!

I think we have room on the board for everyone and I think that we should all feel like we can come here for support and feel free to talk about whatever is bothering us.

I just have one thing to say:  I'm new to the weight loss journey and I haven't met very many of my OH family yet, but please don't change.  I for one do care about more than just weight loss surgery, I get to know each one of you from your posts and hopefully you'll get to know me too.  Happy Easter to all my OH family !!!!!

Jamie