Why is there so much negativity on this site?

I was NOT expecting this at all... thank you. I sometimes feel like my mouth is really big and people must get really mad at me. But I do care about my fellow hoooman beans, really! 

I sometimes feel like my mouth is really big  

I don't think anyone is disagreeing with you! 

  I agree!!!  You put your story out there with the upmost tact.  I appreciate everything you add to this board.  !!!!!!

Aww, thanks, Caidkin.

Hi there!

I'm 19 months out from being banded and have lost +100 pounds. I'm elated with the choice I made however, I've been struggling for the last 9 months since I had to shift my focus from my workout regimen to my teenageers. Thank God I haven't regained weight, but it's been tough losing since I had to attend to other important aspects of my life.

I've been revisiting OH in the last few months hoping to get some motivation and guidance from my wls/band family in the struggle to balance weightloss with life. It has been disheartening to witness the constant bickering, disrespect and overall negativity that occurs here. It's sad to see this site, that was created as a tool to help our very specific population, being misused by unhappy individuals ultimately driving the people who want/need/seek help away. Granted, it is important to share complications, how they occurred, and how they could/could not be avoided. But, it's selfish to bash and disrespect in the name of "educating".

Stay encouraged in your journey and keep pressing forward.

I could Not have said this better!!!!  I agree 100%

I agree, that the bickerers stand out more and others simply don't bother to post. However, the nastly "flame wars" are very typical on many websites. Just about every one of these sites I have joined, most often for weight loss, has an element of nastiness and personal attacks. The name calling, nasty photos, vulgarity, etc are shocking to be sure.
However, I feel mostly sorry for these people as I can't imagine having such a limited life as to take comments on a web posting from people I do not know too seriously.
I too came here for support and encouragement, but often it feels like that the same old grumpy people going on and on about all their complaints, and likes and dislikes.
I've learned to block those who have an ax to grind and try to benefit from the real issues at hand.
The band is a tricky tool for sure, and it does not work for everyone for various reasons. I want to learn from others who have something to contribute,and avoid the "flamers" as best I can, but my enthusiasm for the site has defintiely diminished.
Best of luck,
Mary

This is an awesome site to seek out support and people with complications desperately need support. You are doing well with your band and have a positive attitude, so surely you can imagine how devastating it would be if something occurred that may cause you to lose your band. It is a tough spot to be in, but let's hope you never know!

There are several bandsters on here who are happy with their choice and a lot of them have already responded.

If you are unable to offer support to those who are having a tough time of things and view their attempts to reach out for help as negativity, it may be best to just avoid those posts. You can usually tell which is which by the thread title.

Best of luck,
Lindsey

I am very happy with my band.  I am coming up on 3 yrs.  Have I lost as much as I would like? No. But I know I would be at a much different place than I am now without it.

I lost two siblings this past year and without this band, I would have ate all the weight back on.

I struggle at times to follow the rules. In all honesty, I could step it up but I'm mentally not there right now.

As for the negativity.  I do appreciate the post on complications but I do not appreciate rants.  For me, it's easy to notice posters who have issues, so I just block them.

For example, there is a poster on here that goes on full blown rants about her failed band.  This is the same person whom I met at an OH Conference four days after her surgery.  I along with others, were completely shocked by what she was eating from the buffet.(we even mentioned it to her) She was sour grapes as she was then as she is now. So is she reliable as to having a failed band? In my opinion, NO. I think her complications were brought on by her own actions.

I think people who have a weight problem also have emotional problems. My surgeon said for this to work, you must tackle the emotional. I don't think bands or any WLS fixes peoples brains in the way they view life. I watch those make over shows on TV about dressing nicely- and alot of them on there were obese and recently had lost weight, but did not see their skinner new bodies at all. Just a point, many are unhappy, and I think  forums helps us to know we are not alone, we get uplifted, challanged ,and encouraged here. I think too, that when we feel drprived of food, are scared, uneasy with change and our bodys are like whoaaa.. we problably get stressed and jumpy. I know inthe past it was stay away from mama. she dieting!  So, now living alone, I think it will be much easier once I get banded to deal with my emotions, by myself. I am sure I will be all over the place,