Whats going on?

I am looking forward to meeting you at the bash! Rhonda

Christine; I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the bash. I am very shy and don't do well in new surroundings but you guys have made me feel at home and have really helped to answer alot of questions about surgery and what to expect. I would love to come to all the events but work kinda doesn't permit that. My problem with the sight is that there is a very tight group of people and it is hard to get in. The message from Nan was kinda disturbing. I have never seen her post and have only heard of her from Arlies' posts. I have been coming to this sight since the first of august or maybe sometime in july. That is a long time to never see a post from her. I check it every day. We all have bad days and trouble that we want to sometimes just vent here instead of our friends or spouses. I thought that was great. In some ways I am scared about the surgery but I know that this sight is what i need. I also feel that i will get support from everyone when i have surgery. not all of us can drop everything and go to every meeting and luncheon. well enough of that. I am looking forward to meeting everyone. See you at the bash. Steph

We have alot of lurkers and alot of people who come and read for info who arent yet comfortable enough to post. I dont think Nan's post was disturbing.. I think she was just fed up and being pointed out like that would have hurt my feelings as well. I love them both but I think it has all gotten out of control. It is a tight knit group but mostly because people come and go. I dont normally talk to folks until I get to know them. Thats not right of me, but I made a very good friend on this site and she was my angel after surgery and she doesnt post here anymore. Hasnt posted but twice since her surgery. I hate to see folks get their surgeries and then disappear from support groups. Its hard for me even though I have the support so I cant imagine not having it. Cant wait to meet you Saturday! I'll be the one freezing in a corner somewhere.

Hey Gurls wellllllllll I see we got a huge subject again on the board and I'm sorry I've missed most of it again as usual. My apologies. I've been sort of sidetracked with other issues such as gallbladder removal surgery and a lovely root canal this afternoon. I have no other explanation for these happenings other than "I'm getting old and I have to submit to my age" hehe. Now for the real subject. As you guys know I've been stuck in Louisiana with just about no internet access. So I haven't responded much to any posts, just merely flew over them in case there was something that needed to be addressed by me personally ( which it wasn't...) I too had open RNY surgery and it was definitely not easy but it was nothing I didn't expect, nothing I wasn't prepared for and it was certainly tolerable in respect of pain and discomfort. My scar healed just fine back then ( my lap-incision for the gallbladder surgery is the one that's wanting to give me problems ! go figure! ) and I was up and walking the same day, and my stomach can tolerate pretty much everything except grapes. I too unfortunately can tolerate sugar and have to fight the daily war of evil carbs. It will never end, but at least I have the tool to make this all work now. I won't fall into the old habits, I pick myself up and start a new day when I slip up. I can not speak for others when I say I would do this all over again, every year if I had to, because it has given me back my life, a life that was miserable and made me feel like I couldn't expect more than maybe ten more years if I didn't do something soon. My health was going to hell in a handbasket. I hated feeling miserable and out of breath and not being able to do things. I can now do everything the rest of my family does. I can eat anywhere they eat, making smart choices. I don't gripe about paying full price for buffets, because we should NEVER eat six plates of food anyways. Society is training people to become obese and I will be the first one to admit that I would always get my "money's worth" when I went to eat. Without this surgery I would still be gaining weight, probably be close to 400 lbs by now. I have lost 140 lbs and I feel great. If anyone wants to have this surgery , they need to be educated and make SURE they understand the full extent of the "afterlife". It won't be sunshine for everyone, some die during surgery, others have problems for months after. I know that I was well educated by my surgeon and the office team, I knew I could die or could have lifelong complications, but that chance was worth it, for a chance of a better, a normal life. I know it's frustrating to some that are having a really hard time. Although I 'm sorry they're going thru it and I have compassion, I don't necessarily consider myself a "cheerleader " for this surgery. I will, however, tell everyone that I would do it again in a New York Minute. Let's all just take a deep breath and concentrate on what's important. Support !! Thanks Christine for this post. It was overdue with all the negativity the last few weeks. It would be great if there would be more constructive criticism instead of bashing . I know some folks think that "saying what they mean" is how they are and they won't change. Unfortunately, not everyone thinks that way and they feel that such expressions of opinion are blunt and rude. So yeah, maybe if everyone would be a little more considerate about others' feelings and how to word things, it will ease the situation and we can discuss things like adults ?????? ~back-in-town~ aka Andie

Andie, my thoughts exactly. I thought the board was for CONSTRUCTIVE comments not bashing folks. Having been bashed myself a couple of times simply for having an opinion, I almost decided to erase the website from my computer and go somewhere else. As you know, my surgery was not a walk in the park, but not as bad as DW's. I almost died but with adversity comes strength to fight back, and I am. I feel better each day. Glad to see you back and I hope painless now that the evil gallbladder is gone!!! Smiles, Cheryl

Hiya Cheryl !! Too bad you can't come to our bash!! I say freeze you some of those water bottles and come visit us!! hehe Thanks for the "welcome back". It's good to be home. Yeah that evil gallbladder is gone and I'm feeling pretty good. Actually the last 24 hours I haven't once thought about it as I was dealing with a root canal LOL How easily we forget... teehee. Thank goodness for doctors/ surgeons/ dentists and Lortab Hopefully we can get a Bash together next year when you come "home" !! ~Andie~

I will put the bottles in the freezer now!!!! LOL!!!! Actually they are really a lifesaver!!! Glad to hear that you are feeling so good but eeeeiiiii yowwwww a root canal?????? I hate those too with a passion!!!!! Drugs are good when you have that kind of stuff going on. I am looking forward to coming to ALL the support group meetings EVERYWHERE.... so everyone better watch out!!!! LOL!!!! Cheryl

AMEN SISTER!! I think that I was always up front and honest about all of the problems that I had right after my surgery. I thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life ever, but here I am seven months post op and I am so glad that I did it. I could never be as happy as I am right now being overweight. I was miserable! I have not been personally attacked on this site, and I don't think I have ever personally attacked anyone, but I have seen it happen many times and I truly feel that it is wrong. Everyone comes here for the same reason, support, to learn things and to meet new friends that have gone through the same things that we have. I have made some of the best of friends from this site and I would not trade them for anything in this world. I am so excited about this weekend and I can't wait to meet all of you that I have not been fortunate enough to meet yet. Everything sounds like it is going to be so much fun and I am as excited as a little kid.. Oh yeah, by the way, I got all my hair cut off. It is about as short as Melissa's. I love it. See you Friday night! Love, Rhonda

Hey Rhonda !! You cut off all your hair? Wait.. first you lose all that weight and then cut off the hair. How on earth will I recognize you? I'll have to find that hubby of yours just so I can pinpoint you!! Hehe. Girl, I'm so proud of you, you have done SO well!! Gosh.. Time flies and look atcha.. almost at goal. Cant wait to see u this weekend. I wasn't planning on going but with Sara offering to travel together, I'll tag along. Wasn't prepared to take that long trip alone , shouldn't be driving that far by myself, so with another person, I'm okay with it, I'm feeling almost back to normal and can't wait to see everybody!!! You're right. I made some wonderful friends here on the board, I wouldn't trade them for the world. See you Saturday !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~Andie~

I cant wait to see your skinny little self.... I need to smack you around a little bit. Nah.. not really... well, maybe! I cannot believe you are so close to goal! I am excited for you. I cant wait to spend time with yall this weekend. Its a much needed vacation for me. Cant wait to see your hair. Melissa is letting hers grow - it looks really good. I know you just saw her a few weekends ago but it has grown a good bit. It looks good. Ya know I am a copy cat and have to let mine grow now. I am not as patient as her though and that awkward stage between long and short gets me every time. Talk to you soon.... Oh ... add 2 more children to that list. Not for sure if they are coming but its possible. Christine