Is everyone here a lurker?

I have noticed that pretty much the same people are the ones posting on here. And a few new people like myself. I look at the board and see that over 90(at times) people have viewed certain threads yet no more than a dozen people at one time have replied. I thought this was a group for supporting fellow WLS patients, asking and giving answers to one another and supporting each other. Would a hello, or how you doing or this is my story kill ya. Let's get this group rolling!!!! I will start..... Hi everyone! I am Crystal. I live in Edmond. I am a stay at home mom and my surgery is scheduled for March 1. I will be having an Open RNY in Texas. I don't have insurance so I am a self pay patient. When I went for my consult I weighed in at 285 at that moment I knew there was no turning back. At 26 it was the most I have weighed ever.So now here I am anxiously awaiting becoming the me I have always wanted to be....HEALTHY!My goal weight is 135! I can't imagine what that will be like but I know that eventually I will. Hope to see everyone on the board soon! Crystal

Hi ya Crystal I live in OKC and going to have my surgery in Edmond on Feb 28th. Curious question why are you going all the way to texas to have it?

Hi Crystal! I am hesitant to post. I'm a couple of years out and really have a hard time keeping my mouth shut. I slowed down my posting because I was afraid I was coming across as a real pain in the butt know it all (we've all seen posters like that and I didn't want to be one!) Congratulations on your upcoming surgery and best wishes! Mendi 334/146

Mendi... I don't think anyone could ever call you a pain in the butt!!!! You have helped me personally soooo much & you know I love ya!!!! Crystal--lots of people still deal with self-esteem issues as they are losing & even posting can be out of their comfort level!!! If you want real action, come to a live support group meeting!!!! Tons of interaction!!!!!! That is from experience as I used to be scared someone would think what I was saying was stupid, etc. Luckily, I have lost not only weight, but also a lot of that negative self talk!!!!! Now, sometimes you can't shut me up. (or so I hear) Becky 10/08/02--RNY Dr. Pearce 293-143

Hi, I live in the ne corner of the state. I think alot of people visit the different board just to see what is going on. If you go to the main message board you will see the same thing. A lot of posts get viewed, but may only get a few responses. It isn't anything personel. Welcome to the board and congrats. on your upcoming surgery.

Hi Crystal, Welcome to the board and congratulations on your upcoming surgery, I wish you nothing but the very best results and the speediest of recoveries. My name is Lori and I live in SW OKC and come to the board often, but don't post much because I don't always view things the way the frequent posters on the board do. Whenever I see someone posting about what they did wrong and wanting someone to tell them it's okay, I just don't post because that's not how I view the situation, so I choose not to post, or if someone is asking a question and I don't know the answer I don't post a response. I'd love to see the activity on this board pick up, but I don't expect that to happen... I personally post more on the main board or on my surgery date board, and other than that I really come here to read and see how people are doing... This is a great place to come when you have a problem or are just needing some encouragement, but please don't take it personally when a thread you've made gets viewed but doesn't get responded to, it's not meant to hurt your feelings, more than likely the people viewing don't have an answer or don't want to come across crass, rude or as noted above "know it all". If you ever need someone to chat with, please feel free to email me... I love chatting, but like I said, I don't post here very often... Again, Congratulations on your upcoming surgery, you're going to do wonderfully... Lori Lap RnY 3/30/04 Dr. R. Cullen Thomas - Mercy Health Center -140lbs feeling fantastic!!!

Hi Crystal! I am a big time lurker but it's mostly because since I haven't had surgery yet I don't feel I have much to contribute. I didn't even have a consult scheduled until a couple of weeks ago and it wasn't until Feb 25th but just the other day the Dr's office called and changed it to this Friday!! WOOHOO!! So now I'm really excited. I live in Tulsa. Married 17 years with 2 boys 15 and 10. I've tried things to lose weight but can't keep it off and each time it gets harder. You know the story. I have posted a couple of times and got no response, and just figured nobody knows me so they didn't answer but how else do we get to know each other. So I agree with you that it felt a little personal but reading the replies to your post I feel better. Talk to you later, Janice

Hi Crystal~ I live in Amarillo and had my surgery in OKC. I visit this board, New Mexico and the Texas board quite a bit, and am on the LapBand board daily. Good Luck with your upcoming surgery! Bonnie

I'm guilty as charged about being a lurker! I live in Florida but was born and raised in Oklahoma and only moved from Oklahoma three years ago. I come to this board nearly everyday just to feel "at home" again... I hope you guys don't mind! I'm originally from the Pauls Valley area, but lived in Midwest City for 10 years before moving to Miami, Florida in 2002. I love Florida (especially the delightful winters) but I miss Oklahoma very much. My family lives in the Pauls Valley, Purcell and Ardmore areas. One thing we did on the Florida board to get everyone talking was ask a non-controversial "Question of the Day" that allowed us to get to know each other without getting too personal/political, etc. Just an idea if you want to initiate conversation. For example, what was the last book you read? Questions like that. Someone posted a question everyday so we all knew there would be at least one post to read and respond to and it's gradually picked up traffic. We've also developed friendships and we know each other now.

Some boards are not as active as others, don't take it personal. I did that a few weeks ago when I posted that I might be moving to Edmond. No one replied and I thought it was because I was from Calif. I came back on a few days later and said Hey isn't anyone going to talk to me and sure enough I recieved several postings. Most said they were not from Edmond and so they didn't feel they should answer. I recieved a lot of good information and we are still waiting to here if my sons transfer is going to happen or not. Hope he fines out soon so my husband and I can fly back and check out the different areas. Welcome to the board and good luck on your surgery. Raoulene