The Purpose of a Support Group/Forum
I thought I'd post this as a gentle reminder that we're all in this together. Whether pre-op, post-op, successful, unsuccessful, researching, dealing with side effects or complications, we all are here for support and encouragement. When responding to a post, read it again. Is the OP asking for help, expressing concern, fear, frustration, celebrating success, or just sharing their personal story. Respond appropriately...with empathy(you've been there), sympathy (haven't had this experience, but I'm sorry you are), concern, encouragement, acknowledgement, congratulations, anything but telling them they did something wrong or they should have done xyz, or that they're "ignorant" or a "troll" (yep, saw this in a post). Shy away from "piling on" the OP, unless its a celebratory post. When a person is celebrating their success, it's easy to give them a high five, atta girl or boy. When someone is struggling, failing, sick, scared they already feel alone. Being unsupportive isolates them further. By participating in a group setting, such as this, we have the responsibility to post with all due respect and protect the dignity of those who are struggling and come here for help. Recognize that every doctor has their own pre and post op protocol for their WLS patients and for individual needs within their patient population. Respect the differences and be careful of trying to compare another's experiences, progress, etc to our own. One way to remember this is a little wooden sign my daughter puts in the window by our front door during the holidays "people are like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike". This was a gift she received shortly after giving birth to identical triplets...they are unique and individual people, though their DNA is identical. We all have similar devices, but due to our individual anatomy, psyches, upbringing, medical conditions we might have very different results doing exactly the same thing. Thanks for reading...I hope you all find what you came here for. : a group of people with common experiences and concerns who provide emotional and moral support for one another Definition of support within this context: To hold in position so as to keep from falling, sinking, or slipping. To keep from weakening or failing; strengthen: The letter supported him in his grief. To furnish corroborating evidence for: New facts supported her story. To aid the cause, policy, or interests of To argue in favor of; advocate
6-7-13 band removed. No revision. Facebook Failed Lapbands and Realize Bands group and WLS-Support for Regain and Revision Group
Hi there! I just had WLS about a month ago and I lurk on pretty much all the forums. LOL I had VSG but I read the lapband, DS and RNY forums cus I'm #1. Nosey and #2. Don't want to miss any good posts that could help me out. Just had to say that I loved this post. In every forum there seems to be a hot button issue regarding something that people argue about. I loved your comment about everyone's journeys being different and there isn't just one path. What my doctor tells me to do is quite different than what some of the other posters might insist is the only way to succeed. I appreciate all the advice but if someone has decided what is ok for them, let them be! :-) If they are dead wrong, they will find out eventually on their own, hopefully before they stray too far away.
Great post, thanks again!
KittyKarin :-) Starting weight: 362 / Surgery weight: 353 / Current weight: 190 (03/27/2017)
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