Banded 9 days ago - came here for support, but...

Ok, just like with anything else involving people, there are going to be folks that agree and those that disagree.  There are really positive people and there are really miserable people.  There are those motivated by good and those motivated by bitterness... whatever, rt?

Take what works for you, trash what you don't need and block anyone whose posts you don't want to see.  That's about all you can do and that will be the case with any internet board (or F2F group) you deal with.

Good luck~!

Like in life, ignore the jerks and do what you think is best. Four years later, I still love my Lap-Band.

Diana

Welcome Nora! I am new here myself and I am recently banded. I did all my research before surgery and the band was the best fit for me. I am ignoring all the bashing and negative posts and I hope you do the same. I am an adult that made an informed decision to better my life and that is all that matters to me.

People want to encourage others not to have the band because of complications they experienced. But I was warned of those complications at my seminar my pre op and the discussions with MY doctor.

I'm not an idiot I made my decision, I can have complications with any surgery WLS surgery related or not. You made the same decision on your own you choose the band.. we are supportive! We are very encouraging ... we do get angry when people constantly want to be little our decision we don't go on other boards doing the same of their surgery but it is what it is.. I usually never try to get involved but I will always state how appreciative I am of my band

Tho I'm not at my goal weight I consider myself a success I have 90+ pounds and things are ONLY getting better in my life.. and well that was the WHOLE reason I had surgery right .. we are share the core value of why we choose WLS surgery regardless of surgery .. in theory I would like for us to be supportive of the fact we have food issues.. I didn't get heavy heavy eating chicken and veggies... we all share a common in bond in needed WLS help with our health regardless of the surgery you choose.

WELCOME 

Nora, gimme a break... It is not 1960 and we are not all hippies looking for peace and love. 

You take the good with the bad - it's part of life.  And I'm not that old so chances are you are older than I am and you should know this blanket mentality by now; better than I do.  So why do you need to be told this?

People disagree - it's apart of life.  If you don't want to read it, move on to the next thread.  There will be no place in this world where unicorns truly fart rainbows.  I have no idea why your expectations are this unrealistic. 

There is TONS of support on this board.  You just need to give yourself more time to figure out who the supportive ones are and who the haters are, so you know who to avoid.  It's simple.

Insulting this incredibly supportive community is unnecessary and voicing your disappointment in "us" is ridiculous.  It is not all of these bandster's jobs to cater to what you expected when you signed up on OH. 

I'm sorry if I sound crass but posts like this tick me off.  I had a band for 3 years and there was NO WHERE that I found more support than on this board.  NO WHERE.  These people need to be appreciated, praised and equally loved. 

Janine, you are right on with this!!  I am SO over conversation with how negative this board is.  I have always found good support here......sure not EVERY PERSON is supportive, but neither are my real life contacts, either.  Fact of life!!

Please don't give up on the OH Board for support Nora.  Think of it this way - all the bickering about surgeries is actually a positive thing.  It means people have found a means of working through their obesity conditions with a surgery that worked for them!  I think it's awesome so many options are available because we all have different needs.

This lapband board was (& continues to be) a HUGE help for me - especially early on.  Read posts, ask questions.  If the battle of the WLS bothers you - then just try not to read those threads.  Everybody here is awesome & I believe those that are posting with strong opinions one way or another are really doing it with the goal of trying to help.  It can get stressful to read at times - just cuz the "PollyAnna" side of me wants everyone to get along.  Can't always happen, and one of my weight issues I've now learned is that it's not my responsibility to try & fix. 

Of course, here I am... encouraging you to continue to give this Board a chance .  I love my band.  You can read my posts/blogs.  It's a journey and I'm in it for life.
Take care!  (& don't think I'm always this rosey - I can occasionally spark out a wicked sense of humor

Hi Nora,
You have the band and there are a lot of supportive people that are glad to help.  You just need to ask if you have questions and you will get lots of different suggestions.  You can skip over negative posts or block them or even read them and learn about possible problems that could show up.  It's a great board to learn things about the band.  Each person's experience is different.  I'm thankful for everyone sharing the good & the bad.  I don't try to encourage or discourage the band, I tell about my experiences with the band.  I will make suggestions if someone needs help.  I just want everyone to find what works best for them to fight obesity.

Take care,
Kristi

 Thank you for your directness about everything. I do hope you will give OH another chance and that we can give you the support and feedback you need...

Wow!  I didn't expect so many replies.  Thank you all so much for your responses and your encouragement.   It was nice to sit down after a long day of work and kids to find so many replies and such warm welcomes from so many of you.  

This evening,  I looked back at many earlier posts and found that most posts are quite supportive - perhaps I ran into a few rough ones on my initial foray into the OH band forum.

While I don't believe that "unicorns fart rainbows" (though a nice image) and may not be as wise as some younger women on the board ;), my age has taught me that people should be thoughful about what they write (which so many of you were in your replies to me, for which I am very grateful).  I appreciate folks posting their experiences - both good and bad - because that is how we all learn.  However, as a newly banded person reading hyperbole about how uniformly dangerous and ineffctive the band is, I immediately felt lousy and began questioning whether I had made a mistake.  I am a pretty confident old gal, and for me this feeling was fleeting, but it might not be for everyone.  That was really the reason for my initial post.  I don't think everyone realizes the effect that their words have on everyone who might read them.

I would like to stick around and get to know you folks.  I hope to learn a lot from many of you.

peace, nora